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Deutsch Aktiv!

Learning German at SU is not limited to the classroom! To show students the relevance and influence of German and the culture of German-speaking countries not only in history, but also in modern times, the German program reaches out to other departments and offers lectures, presentations and film series. Invited speakers give students a perspective that extends the boundaries of the SU campus.
To find out about upcoming events, contact the German faculty.

Past Invited Speakers

Felicitas Hoppe
On January 24, 2008, German author Felicitas Hoppe visited the campus to read from books. Her first short story collection called Picknick der Friseure won her the ZDF Aspekte Literature Award. She used the prize money to undertake a trip around the world on a freight ship - an adventure that triggered her to write her novel Pigafetta. Travel plays an important role also in her next two novels Paradiese, Übersee and Verbrecher und Versager and her latest novel Johanna. Her intriguing style of writing and telling stories was awarded with many renowned literary prizes, the latest one the Literature Award of the City of Bremen.
Students as well as guests from region enjoyed her reading of book excerpts and her tales about writing and influences in her writing. As a treat, Felicitas Hoppe read from her latest book, forthcoming in March 2008, in which she re-tells the medieval knight's tale of Iwein for children.

Dr. Hans-Jürgen Heimsoeth
On January 28, 2008, Dr. Hans-Jürgen Heimsoeth, the consule general from NYC, followed a joint invitation by the German Program and the Moynihan Center for European Studies to give a talk titled "Germany, Europe and the US: towards a new global partnership?". The talk did not only draw the attention of undergraduate and graduate students of European Studies and German, but also of several interested faculty members and students from other departments. After his presentation, Dr. Heimsoeth discussed many aspects of German-American relations, prospects and aspects of collaboration between Germany, Europe and the US and many other questions.
In addition to giving his talk, Dr. Heimsoeth also visited the special collections department of SU's Bird Library to take a look at the treasures there - especially papers by 19th century historian Leopold von Ranke.

Dr. Dirk Verheyen (FU-BEST)
On February 1, 2008, the director of the FU-BEST program, Dr. Dirk Verheyen, visited SU to talk to students interested in studying abroad in Berlin. Dr. Verheyen provided students with information about the classes, the city of Berlin and also the program and students could ask their questions. Many aspects, such as the rich cultural life in Berlin, travel opportunities through FU-BEST, housing choices in host families and apartments and much more were brought up. Ginny Pellam-Montalbano, who is SU Abroad's contact person for the FU-BEST program, informed students about modes of application.