tag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:/news-and-events/newsGerman and Russian Languages and Literatures | News2021-05-18T14:55:00-04:00tag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/1377902021-05-18T14:55:00-04:002021-05-18T15:10:34-04:002021 Senior Thesis Projects<p>Congratulations to the Following Seniors for Completing Senior Thesis Projects:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Martin Heli: <em> Post-Truth or Truthful Posts?   Truth & Falsehood in Twenty-First Century Disinformation</em><br>
<br>
Laura Henares: <em> Differences Between Urban & Rural Educational Outcomes in Brazil</em><br>
<br>
Declan Hotter: <em> Negative Interest Rates</em>…</p><p>Congratulations to the Following Seniors for Completing Senior Thesis Projects:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Martin Heli: <em> Post-Truth or Truthful Posts? Truth & Falsehood in Twenty-First Century Disinformation</em><br>
<br>
Laura Henares: <em> Differences Between Urban & Rural Educational Outcomes in Brazil</em><br>
<br>
Declan Hotter: <em> Negative Interest Rates</em></p>
<p>Elinor McCarthy: <em>Surveying The Gadfly: A Case Study in Comparatives World Literature</em></p>
<p>Evan Muller: <em> Political Interference on the Military Justice System During Counterinsurgencies</em></p>
<p>Charles Sedore: <em>The Russian Waltz: Predicting Future Russian Alliances</em></p>
<p>Jack Sitarski: <em>How Does Native Religiosity Affect Immigrant Outcomes in the German Labor Market?</em></p>
<p>Matthew Twargoski: <em>A Curse in Disguise: The Mechelen Incident of January 1940</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>
Read more here: <a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/430253/2021_senior_thesis_presentation_for_germanrussian.pdf">2021 Senior Thesis Presentation For Germanrussian</a></p>Department of German and Russian Languages and Literaturestag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/1264842020-06-09T16:35:00-04:002020-06-10T11:37:02-04:00Commitment to Anti-racist and Anti-authoritarian Pedagogy<p>Like you, we have watched the events of recent days with grief and horror. The murders of Eric Logan, Manuel Ellis, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and so many others remind us that the ongoing trauma of state-perpetrated violence against the Black community is a problem that we as a nation have repeatedly failed to address. We have heard the call of the Notre Dame Student Government to do more than “simply [look] back to 1964 when Father Hesburgh stood hand in hand with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” We are listening <a href="https://bsa932.wixsite.com/notredamebsa/upcoming-events">to the call to action of the Black Students Association</a>…</p><p>Like you, we have watched the events of recent days with grief and horror. The murders of Eric Logan, Manuel Ellis, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and so many others remind us that the ongoing trauma of state-perpetrated violence against the Black community is a problem that we as a nation have repeatedly failed to address. We have heard the call of the Notre Dame Student Government to do more than “simply [look] back to 1964 when Father Hesburgh stood hand in hand with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” We are listening <a href="https://bsa932.wixsite.com/notredamebsa/upcoming-events">to the call to action of the Black Students Association</a> and know that we need to strive to better address the unique challenges of this painful moment within and beyond the classroom.</p>
<p>As our first step, we pledge to review our curriculum in order to incorporate anti-racist and antiauthoritarian principles into our pedagogy, as elaborated in the following: Our Commitment to Anti-Racist, Anti-Authoritarian Pedagogy</p>
<p>As scholars of German and Russian, we recognize our special responsibility to educate students about racism and authoritarianism in defense of liberal democracy and the universal pursuit of human flourishing. The societies we study are responsible not only for a long history of violence enacted through colonialism and ethnic exclusion, but also for some of the worst crimes against humanity committed during the past century.</p>
<p>We heed the call of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops in <em><a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/open-wide-our-hearts.pdf">Open Wide Our Hearts</a></em> (2018) for Catholic educational institutions “to develop curricula relating to racism and reconciliation.” Therefore, in accordance with the pillars of our discipline (language, literature, and culture), we pledge to teach our students that</p>
<ol>
<li>power can be wielded through language, which has the ability not only to communicate, inspire, and persuade, but also to manipulate, demean, and hurt;</li>
<li>speech plays a crucial role in preserving or eroding democracy, especially when we fail to examine it critically;</li>
<li>cultural traditions comprise countless voices, many of which are silenced but must be heard;</li>
<li>all human societies are imperfect, and our efforts to improve them gain strength when we learn about and from others.</li>
</ol>Department of German and Russian Languages and Literaturestag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/1258582020-05-18T12:00:00-04:002020-05-18T15:50:19-04:00Russian Graduation Album 2020<p><span style="font-style:normal; text-align:start"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="display:inline !important"><span style="float:none">Dear Russian majors and minors,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="text-align:start"> </div>
<div style="text-align:start">
<span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial">Congratulations on your graduation! This accomplishment is enormous, even if we can't celebrate it as it should be celebrated right now. Since our Russian Department ceremony has been postponed until May 2021, please enjoy this album that you've helped us put together highlighting some of your favorite memories and accomplishments from the past four years. We hope that it will help you and your families celebrate everything you've achieved.</span></span></span></span></span></span>…</div><p><span style="font-style:normal; text-align:start"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="display:inline !important"><span style="float:none">Dear Russian majors and minors,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="text-align:start"> </div>
<div style="text-align:start"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial">Congratulations on your graduation! This accomplishment is enormous, even if we can't celebrate it as it should be celebrated right now. Since our Russian Department ceremony has been postponed until May 2021, please enjoy this album that you've helped us put together highlighting some of your favorite memories and accomplishments from the past four years. We hope that it will help you and your families celebrate everything you've achieved.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align:start"> </div>
<div style="text-align:start">
<p><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial">Поздравляем вас, дорогие выпускники!</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial">-- Professor Gasperetti, Professor Marullo, Professor Miller, and Professor Wang</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kaWb3C2aRZtDRcu5CJ5PGmGrBaPd-kve/view">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kaWb3C2aRZtDRcu5CJ5PGmGrBaPd-kve/view</a></p>Nancy Bikowskitag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/1253022020-04-30T16:40:00-04:002020-04-30T16:41:12-04:00Class of 2020 Recognition<h2>The Department of German and Russian Languages and Literatures<br>
<em>Graduation 2020</em>
</h2>
<h3>
<br>
Recognition of Grant, Fellowship and National Award Recipients</h3>
<h4>
<br>
ACTR National Russian Essay Writing Contest</h4>
<h5>Silver Medal</h5>
<p>James Anthony Stoner (2020)</p>
<h5>Honorable Mention</h5>
<p>Elizabeth Kolb (2018, 2020)<br>
Jessica Saeli (2017, 2019, 2020)<br>
James Anthony Stoner (2018)…</p><h2>The Department of German and Russian Languages and Literatures<br>
<em>Graduation 2020</em>
</h2>
<h3>
<br>
Recognition of Grant, Fellowship and National Award Recipients</h3>
<h4>
<br>
ACTR National Russian Essay Writing Contest</h4>
<h5>Silver Medal</h5>
<p>James Anthony Stoner (2020)</p>
<h5>Honorable Mention</h5>
<p>Elizabeth Kolb (2018, 2020)<br>
Jessica Saeli (2017, 2019, 2020)<br>
James Anthony Stoner (2018)</p>
<h4>
<br>
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals </h4>
<p>Hannah Benchik, Finalist</p>
<h4>Fulbright Teaching Assistantship</h4>
<p>Ellen Bleier, Finalist Russia<br>
Mary Elsa Henrichs, Finalist Germany </p>
<h4>US Teaching Assistantship, Austria</h4>
<p>Hannah Benchik, Alternate<br>
Avian Robinson, Alternate</p>
<h3>German Convocation Address</h3>
<p>Mary Elsa Henrichs</p>
<h3>Russian Convocation Address</h3>
<p>Jessica Saeli</p>
<h3>
<br>
German Awards</h3>
<h4>Rev. Lawrence G. Broestl, C.S.C., Award for Excellence in the Study Of German Language and Literature</h4>
<p>Nathan Gundlach</p>
<h4>
<br>
Jeffrey Engelmeier Award in Leadership and Service</h4>
<p>Avian Robinson</p>
<h3>
<br>
Russian Awards</h3>
<h4>Lauren B. Thomas Scholarship – Awarded to an Outstanding Russian Major</h4>
<p>Jessica Saeli</p>
<h4>
<br>
Russian Senior Award for Excellence in the Study Of Russian Language and Literature</h4>
<p>Ellen Bleier</p>
<h3>
<br>
ACTR Post-Secondary Russian Scholar Laureate</h3>
<p>James Anthony Stoner</p>
<h3>2020 Graduates</h3>
<h4>German</h4>
<h5>Major</h5>
<p>Brennan Dour <br>
Mary Henrichs<br>
Si On (Zion) Lee<br>
Rex Riley<br>
Avian Robinson<br>
Elizabeth Summers</p>
<h5>
<br>
Supplementary Major</h5>
<p>Nathan Gundlach</p>
<h5>
<br>
Minor</h5>
<p>Hannah Benchik (SMC) <br>
Max Cooper<br>
Saul Cortez<br>
Brandon Garcia<br>
Erik Nygren<br>
Matthew Taylor<br>
Daniel Venetucci<br>
Weng (Sebastian) Wenqin</p>
<h5>
<br>
International Economics Major</h5>
<p>James Moremen<br>
Regina O'Brien</p>
<h4>Russian</h4>
<h5>Major</h5>
<p>Ellen Bleier<br>
Jessica Saeli<br>
James Anthony Stoner</p>
<h5>Supplementary Major</h5>
<p>Daniel Holmes <br>
Hunter Mortemore</p>
<h5>
<br>
Minor </h5>
<p>Will Jones<br>
Elizabeth Kolb<br>
Madison Lee (SMC)<br>
Aidan Thorpe</p>
<h5>
<br>
Minor in Russian and East European Studies</h5>
<p>Jessica Barry</p>
<h3>
<br>
Faculty</h3>
<h4>German</h4>
<p>Tobias Boes <br>
Denise M. Della Rossa <br>
William C. Donahue<br>
Carsten Dutt<br>
Maureen Gallagher<br>
Annika Hand<br>
Vittorio Hosle<br>
CJ Jones<br>
Robert E. Norton<br>
Mark Roche<br>
Nivasan Selvaratnam, FLTA</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Russian</h4>
<p>David Gasperetti<br>
Thomas Marullo<br>
Melissa Miller<br>
Emily Wang<br>
Albina Shakirova, FLTA</p>
<p><br>
</p>Department of German and Russian Languages and Literaturestag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/1060972019-11-09T10:00:00-05:002019-11-26T10:39:50-05:00Russian and political science alumna unlocks a world of possibilities in media, policy, and consulting<p>Before leaving for a Summer Language Abroad program in St. Petersburg, Russia, after her junior year, Kristen Stone ’11 had never been outside North America. After graduation, she spent seven years living and working abroad in Russia and South Africa. Her Arts and Letters education prepared her for a career in education, journalism, and now consulting.<br />
</p><p class="image-default"><img alt="Blyth Stone In South Africa" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/341858/fullsize/blyth_stone_in_south_africa.jpg">Kristen (Blyth) Stone ’11 worked as an English teacher and journalist in Russia before moving on to a consulting career in South Africa and New York.</p>
<p>Before leaving for a <a href="https://sla.nd.edu/">Summer Language Abroad program</a> in St. Petersburg, Russia, after her junior year, Kristen (Blyth) Stone ’11 had never been outside North America. </p>
<p>After graduation, she spent seven years living and working abroad in Russia and South Africa.</p>
<p class="image-right"><img alt="Blyth Stone In New York 2" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/341856/blyth_stone_in_new_york_2.jpg">Stone in New York, where she now works as an associate director of corporate intelligence for S-RM.</p>
<p>“My summer study abroad was part of what prompted me to move to Russia after I graduated,” Stone said. “I learned a lot about my ability to thrive in an unfamiliar situation, I learned a lot of Russian, and I made some really good friends.”</p>
<p>Stone, who majored in <a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/russian-program/">Russian</a> and <a href="http://politicalscience.nd.edu/">political science</a> and minored in <a href="https://ess.nd.edu/">education, schooling, and society</a>, worked as an English teacher and then a journalist in Russia. </p>
<p>When a war in Ukraine began, Stone moved with her husband to his native South Africa and took a job with S-RM, a risk consultancy company. She now serves as an associate director of corporate intelligence in S-RM’s New York office. </p>
<p>Through it all, she credits the education she received in the College of Arts and Letters — and specifically her Russian classes — with equipping her with skills that have formed the foundation of her success.</p>
<p>“The Russian program’s influence has been transformative for what I’ve gone on to do with my career,” Stone said.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“The beauty of a Notre Dame Arts and Letters education is that I’ve really developed a wide variety of skills. If I wanted to leave this profession and go back to journalism, say, or try something different, I would really be well prepared to do that.”</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Finding a family </h3>
<p class="image-right"><img alt="Blyth Stone Russia" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/341860/300x/blyth_stone_russia.jpg">Stone outside St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow.</p>
<p>Stone arrived at Notre Dame from her childhood home near Boulder, Colorado, intending to study medicine. But early on, she changed course and decided on political science, in part because of its wide applications.</p>
<p>Adding a major in Russian was more of a personal challenge for Stone. </p>
<p>“I chose Russian because I was also interested in languages, and I wanted to choose a difficult one,” she said. </p>
<p>Stone’s experience in the <a href="http://germanandrussian.nd.edu/">Department of German and Russian Languages and Literatures</a> has shaped her life and career since then. She and her classmates developed a close bond with the faculty in the department’s collaborative, challenging academic environment. </p>
<p>“Going to school with that group of students and that group of professors — who were really excellent and kind mentors — really inspired all of us to go on and pursue Russian after graduation,” she said. “And that has defined everything I’ve done since then.”</p>
<p>Stone hopes that everyone can find that kind of family environment in their field of study.</p>
<p>“I’ve really appreciated having that experience and those memories at Notre Dame,” she said. “That group has been so special for me. Lots of us are still friends and keep in touch.”</p>
<h3>A student of the world</h3>
<p>Stone has relied on the skills she gained through a liberal arts education — in language, writing, interpersonal communication, and research — in a variety of contexts since Notre Dame. </p>
<p>She initially moved to Moscow as an English teacher, but after about nine months, grew increasingly interested in journalism. Stone began freelancing for the <em>Moscow News</em>, an English-language newspaper publication, and she soon was hired full time at the publication’s affiliated policy agency. </p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Blyth Stone In South African Bush" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/341857/blyth_stone_in_south_african_bush.jpg">Stone in South Africa, where she began working in consulting in 2015.</p>
<p>Stone eventually migrated to the breaking news wire service for Ria Novosti, a state-owned Russian news agency, where she covered a multitude of topics, ranging from political protests and terrorism to the Sochi Olympics and Moscow mayoral elections. </p>
<p>“It was a really interesting time,” she said. “Despite it being a state-owned news agency, we had complete freedom to write whatever we wanted, with whatever angle.”</p>
<p>But when the war in Ukraine started, the Russian government “liquidated the agency and created what was essentially a propaganda machine in its place,” Stone said. She, along with most of the staff, left the organization. </p>
<p>After a move to Cape Town in 2015, she began working for S-RM. In her current position, as in all of her professional roles, Stone has continued to build upon the foundational skills she developed at Notre Dame. </p>
<p>“Arts and Letters puts you in a variety of situations where you learn to manage your time and get along well with people, and you’re going to take those skills to the workplace and interact better with your managers and your peers,” she said. “And it gives you the freedom to learn the specifics of a job while drawing on those core skills.”</p>
<p>For now, Stone plans to stay with S-RM, but if the urge to travel strikes her again or she just wants a change, she knows she can lean on her liberal arts background.</p>
<p>“The beauty of a Notre Dame Arts and Letters education is that I’ve really developed a wide variety of skills,” she said. “If I wanted to leave this profession and go back to journalism, say, or try something different, I would really be well prepared to do that.”</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Arts and Letters puts you in a variety of situations where you learn to manage your time and get along well with people, and you’re going to take those skills to the workplace and interact better with your managers and your peers.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Jack Rooney</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://al.nd.edu/news/latest-news/russian-and-political-science-alumna-unlocks-a-world-of-possibilities-in-media-policy-and-consulting/">al.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">November 06, 2019</span>.</p>Jack Rooneytag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/988482019-04-29T14:00:00-04:002019-04-29T14:39:54-04:002019 Senior Thesis Projects<h3>Congratulations to the Following Seniors for Completing Senior Thesis Projects:</h3>
<p>Anne Marie Bonds, <em>State Immigrant Assimilation Programs in Germany </em></p>
<p>Hye Sim Chung, <em>A Comparison Between Teaching Materials for Brecht’s Mother Courage and the Playwright’s Original Intentions</em></p>
<p>Matthew Marsland, <em>The Illiberal Roots of the American Political Tradition </em>…</p><h3>Congratulations to the Following Seniors for Completing Senior Thesis Projects:</h3>
<p>Anne Marie Bonds, <em>State Immigrant Assimilation Programs in Germany </em></p>
<p>Hye Sim Chung, <em>A Comparison Between Teaching Materials for Brecht’s Mother Courage and the Playwright’s Original Intentions</em></p>
<p>Matthew Marsland, <em>The Illiberal Roots of the American Political Tradition </em></p>
<p>Tristan McGrath, <em>Key Problems Facing the Current Minimal Counterintuitiveness Paradigm</em> </p>
<p>Stephen Meisenbacher, <em>The Power and Limitations of Computational Methods in the Detection of Irony in German Literature</em></p>
<p>Logan Wishart, <em>The Veil of Paternity: Meditations on St. Joseph and St. Louis Martin</em> </p>
<p>Kelvin Wu,<em> Piano Recital</em> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Read more here: <a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/317913/2019_senior_thesis_presentation_for_german_russian.pdf">2019 Senior Thesis Presentation For German Russian</a></p>Grace Georgitag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/985192019-04-17T14:00:00-04:002019-04-17T14:26:48-04:00German and Russian Students Receive National Fellowships<p>Congratulations to the following national fellowship recipients:</p>
<p>- Kristine Anderson, <em>Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program for Young Professionals</em></p>
<p>- Hye Sim Chung,<em> Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship </em></p>
<p>- Stephen Meisenbacher, T<em>wo-year DAAD to do a postgraduate engineering degree at the Technische Universität München (TUM)</em>…</p><p>Congratulations to the following national fellowship recipients:</p>
<p>- Kristine Anderson, <em>Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program for Young Professionals</em></p>
<p>- Hye Sim Chung,<em> Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship </em></p>
<p>- Stephen Meisenbacher, T<em>wo-year DAAD to do a postgraduate engineering degree at the Technische Universität München (TUM)</em></p>
<p>- Nick Kiene,<em> Boren Scholarship to study Russian and intern with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Kazakhstan </em></p>
<p> </p>Grace Georgitag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/956192019-01-15T10:00:00-05:002019-01-15T09:55:43-05:00Obituary for Professor Donald P. Kommers<p>Donald Paul Kommers, a political scientist and legal scholar well known for his writings on German law and politics and his pioneering work in the field of comparative constitutional studies, died Friday, December 21, 2018, at his home in Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame, Indiana. He was 86. Don will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.…</p><p>Donald Paul Kommers, a political scientist and legal scholar well known for his writings on German law and politics and his pioneering work in the field of comparative constitutional studies, died Friday, December 21, 2018, at his home in Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame, Indiana. He was 86. Don will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.</p>
<p>Funeral Mass: Monday, January 21, 2019, 9:30 a.m. at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.</p>
<p>In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University of Notre Dame, in memory of Professor Donald P. Kommers, either online at giving.nd.edu, by phone at (574) 631-5150, or by mail: University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.</p>
<p>Info: www.kaniewski.com or 574-277-4444</p>
<p>For the full obituary, visit <a href="http://https://www.kaniewski.com/notices/ProfessorDonaldP-Kommers">https://www.kaniewski.com/notices/ProfessorDonaldP-Kommers</a></p>
<p> </p>Monica Fallontag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/1009122018-12-15T12:00:00-05:002019-06-05T12:12:45-04:00How a German major combines her academic interests with a love for theatre<p>In the past three years alone, Notre Dame student Mary Elsa Henrichs’ passions for theatre, English literature, and German have converged in many memorable ways. She’s attended performances of Hamlet in Berlin. She’s worked as a research assistant to two German professors, helping to bring book projects to publication. And she’s spending next semester studying in Heidelberg, Germany, where she hopes to secure a theatre internship. The arts, she said, are a through line between her majors in German and English.</p><p class="image-default"><img alt="Mary Elsa Henrichs Germany 1200" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/300695/fullsize/mary_elsa_henrichs_germany_1200.jpg">Mary Elsa Henrichs visited Salzburg, Austria, as part of her Summer Language Abroad program in Munich, Germany.</p>
<p>In the past three years alone, Notre Dame student Mary Elsa Henrichs’ passions for theatre, English literature, and German have converged in many memorable ways.</p>
<p>She’s attended performances of <em>Hamlet</em> in Berlin. She’s worked as a research assistant to two German professors, helping to bring book projects to publication. And she’s spending next semester studying in Heidelberg, Germany, where she hopes to secure a theatre internship.</p>
<p>The arts, she said, are a through line between her majors in <a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/german-program/">German</a> and <a href="http://english.nd.edu/">English</a>.</p>
<p>“It’s been a fascinating journey for me,” she said. “I love seeing the connections between my English and German classes as we explore what literature is and who it’s for.</p>
<p>“My goal is to be able to study German literature in the same way I can study English literature — to look at playwrights like Schiller and Brecht without having to go to the translation beforehand.”</p>
<h3>‘The world is our laboratory’</h3>
<p>Before deciding to come to Notre Dame, Henrichs considered pursuing a <span class="caps">BFA</span> in theatre. But ultimately, her love of English literature and Shakespeare inspired her to seek a more holistic education.</p>
<p class="image-right"><img alt="Mary Henrichs Valparaiso Nd Shakespeare Festival 1200" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/300694/500x/mary_henrichs_valparaiso_nd_shakespeare_festival_1200.jpg">Henrichs (top right), performing with the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival during a stop in Valparaiso, Ind.</p>
<p>“The College of Arts and Letters really challenges you to see things from different perspectives and to always be examining your own perspective,” she said. “If you’re just focusing on building your acting skills — or even your business or scientific skills — I don’t think you get that same experience. In Arts and Letters, the world we live in is our laboratory, which is wonderful.”</p>
<p>Now a junior, Henrichs has also found many opportunities to explore her love of theatre at Notre Dame. She’s taken classes in the <a href="https://ftt.nd.edu/">Department of Film, Television, and Theatre</a> and acted in two <span class="caps">FTT</span> productions, as well as performing in the <a href="https://shakespeare.nd.edu/notre-dame-shakespeare-festival/">Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival</a> and the student-led <a href="http://nsrsco.weebly.com/">Not-So-Royal Shakespeare Company</a>.</p>
<p>This semester, she had her first experience directing — for a production of <em>Cymbeline</em> with the <span class="caps">NSR</span>. </p>
<p>In acting and directing, she relies on her English major.</p>
<p>“Especially when it comes to directing Shakespeare, we always go back to the text. The most fascinating part of it for me is how you use poetry to convey action,” Henrichs said. “And the skills I’ve learned in English — to analyze texts to find evidence and to think critically — are really helpful for making certain choices on stage.”</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Especially when it comes to directing Shakespeare, we always go back to the text. The skills I’ve learned in English — to analyze texts to find evidence and to think critically — are really helpful for making certain choices on stage.”</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>‘Where history and art collide’</h3>
<p>While Henrichs originally planned to minor in German, the more she studied the language and culture, the more she wanted to dive into it.</p>
<p>“Germany is a fascinating country with a mixture of history and art that collide in really interesting ways,” she said. “The country has not been united for very long at all; it’s a very young, new place, and yet it’s a leader on the global stage.</p>
<p>“They’re also very interested in their own past and they’re not afraid to look critically at their history. That’s something I think a lot of countries can learn from.”</p>
<p class="image-right"><img alt="Mary Henrichs Germany 1200" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/300693/500x/mary_henrichs_germany_1200.jpg">Henrich at the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart birthplace in Salzburg, Austria.</p>
<p>The summer after her first year, she participated in the <a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/german-program/study-abroad/notre-dame-berlin/">Berlin Summer Program</a> and took a course on Berlin Theater there. She attended six shows through the class and another seven in her free time — including two different productions of <em>Hamlet</em>.</p>
<p>“To experience a play that I already knew well in another language was incredible,” Henrichs said. “You find meanings and echoes that you never knew existed before.”</p>
<p>This summer, she returned to Germany through the <a href="https://sla.nd.edu/">Summer Language Abroad</a> program in Munich, where she lived with a host family.</p>
<p>“As our fluency increases, we’re able to leave our grammar lessons behind and apply German to literature and to current events,” she said. “In my classes in Munich, we focused a lot on the continued presence of Turkish German workers, and I had the chance to stay with Turkish Germans. To hear my host mother’s perspective on the current state of race relations in Germany was really valuable and eye-opening.”</p>
<p>On campus, Henrichs has worked as a research assistant on book projects for<a href="https://mroche.nd.edu/"> Mark Roche</a>, the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Professor of German, and<a href="https://nanovic.nd.edu/about/people/director-and-staff/william-collins-donahue/"> William Donahue</a>, the John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C. Professor of the Humanities, director of the <a href="https://nanovic.nd.edu/">Nanovic Institute for European Studies</a>, and former chair of the Department of German and Russian Languages and Literatures. </p>
<p>“It’s been a really cool experience to see that side of the publishing process and to be able to work inside of academia,” she said. “I’ve researched translations to German quotes, coordinated with authors of an essay collection, and made final edits. And my name appears in two books now because I had the opportunity to work with these professors.”</p>
<h3>‘So many avenues to find opportunities’</h3>
<p>Henrichs, who also has a minor in <a href="https://ess.nd.edu/">Education, Schooling, and Society</a>, is thinking of applying for a Fulbright grant after graduation to teach or study in Germany. She is also considering graduate school and would potentially love to work as a dramaturg — the literary manager of a theatre company — in Germany.</p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Mary Henrichs Cymbleline 1200" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/300692/400x/mary_henrichs_cymbleline_1200.jpg">The cast of Cymbeline, a Not-So-Royal Shakespeare Company production that Henrichs directed.</p>
<p>“No matter what, I hope that down the road I can continue to do a mix of things to bring together German, English, acting, and the arts,” she said.</p>
<p>As she prepares for a third study abroad program in Heidelberg, Germany, next semester, she says she never imagined she would have all of the experiences she’s had so far as an undergraduate.</p>
<p>“There are so many avenues to find opportunities in the College of Arts and Letters, and the faculty really work hard to make them available to you,” she said. “They get to know every student by name and want every student to find new ways to engage with their programs.”</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Carrie Gates</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://al.nd.edu/news/latest-news/how-an-english-and-german-major-combines-her-academic-interests-with-a-love-for-theatre/">al.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">December 11, 2018</span>.</p>Carrie Gatestag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/911052018-09-27T13:00:00-04:002018-11-29T13:13:52-05:00The Observer: Panelists discuss refugees, far-right in Germany<p>This past Tuesday, September 25th, panelists discussed right-wing radicalism in modern Europe.</p>
<p>Six Nanovic Faculty Fellows addressed the recent violent attacks against foreigners in Chemnitz and Köthen, Germany, from different disciplinary perspectives, including the response by leading politicians. They also engaged with larger issues surrounding the rise of right-wing extremism in Europe in the context of refugee migration.…</p><p>This past Tuesday, September 25th, panelists discussed right-wing radicalism in modern Europe.</p>
<p>Six Nanovic Faculty Fellows addressed the recent violent attacks against foreigners in Chemnitz and Köthen, Germany, from different disciplinary perspectives, including the response by leading politicians. They also engaged with larger issues surrounding the rise of right-wing extremism in Europe in the context of refugee migration.</p>
<p>Check out the Observer's article on the discussion <a href="https://ndsmcobserver.com/2018/09/panelists-discuss-refugees-far-right-in-germany/">here</a>. </p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Screen Shot 2018 09 27 At 2" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/291266/screen_shot_2018_09_27_at_2.00.22_pm.png"></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Grace Georgitag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/1009142018-06-27T12:00:00-04:002019-06-05T12:25:01-04:00How seeing the Hesburgh Library's medieval manuscripts convinced a Notre Dame student to major in theology and German<p>One visit to the Hesburgh Library’s medieval manuscripts collection, and Luke Donahue ’17 was hooked. “I saw them and thought, ‘This is it.’ This is what I want to study,” Donahue said. “I was intrigued that there are all these manuscripts from the Middle Ages that no one has researched, and I was determined — I wanted to help fill that intellectual gap.” While he initially planned to study physics, Donahue decided to major in theology and German and add a minor in medieval studies.</p><p class="image-default"><a href="https://al.nd.edu/assets/277982/original/luke_donahue_1200.jpg"><img alt="Luke Donahue 1200" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/277982/fullsize/luke_donahue_1200.jpg"></a>Luke Donahue ‘17 reviewing medieval manuscripts from the Hesburgh Library’s collection.</p>
<p>One visit to the Hesburgh Library’s medieval manuscripts collection, and Luke Donahue ’17 was hooked.</p>
<p>“I saw them and thought, ‘This is it.’ This is what I want to study,” Donahue said. “I was intrigued that there are all these manuscripts from the Middle Ages that no one has researched, and I was determined — I wanted to help fill that intellectual gap.”</p>
<p class="image-right"><img alt="Luke Donahue Rare Book 1000" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/277981/400x/luke_donahue_rare_book_1000.jpg">Donahue paging through a manuscript.</p>
<p>That experience during his first-semester German class significantly shaped his Notre Dame education. </p>
<p>While he initially planned to study physics, Donahue decided to major in <a href="http://theology.nd.edu/">theology</a> and <a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/german-program/">German</a> and add a minor in <a href="http://medieval.nd.edu/">medieval studies</a>. He studied abroad in Germany and received University funding to spend two more months there examining medieval manuscripts.</p>
<p>“If there’s something you’re interested in, explore it. Your faculty advisers can help you find ways to pursue any subject in depth,” he said. “Connecting with my professors for my research has given me greater insight into who I am and what I want to do.”</p>
<p>His academic interests culminated in an interdisciplinary senior thesis, in which he translated a set of medieval German prayers to Mary and investigated the life of the nuns who wrote them.</p>
<p>“That is exactly what Arts and Letters is — and should be — all about,” he said. “I think interdisciplinary connections are something we really benefit from. For me, that meant seeing how Western history and literary tradition have been shaped by theology.”</p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Luke Donahue Pep Band 600" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/277980/400x/luke_donahue_pep_band_600.jpg">Donahue playing tuba with the Notre Dame hockey pep band.</p>
<p>Donahue’s undergraduate research experience helped him learn field-specific skills in medieval paleography as well as broader skills that will continue to be valuable in the future.</p>
<p>“Research takes a lot of discipline, and I’ve really developed that,” he said. “It has also increased my critical thinking and taught me how to engage with texts on a broader, interdisciplinary level.”</p>
<p>After graduation, Donahue received a Fulbright research grant and a <span class="caps">DAAD</span> research grant, but declined both in order to enter the seminary for the Congregation of Holy Cross. </p>
<p>A member of the <a href="https://glynnhonors.nd.edu/">Glynn Family Honors Program</a>, he participated in a Marian devotion group while on campus. He played tuba in the Notre Dame marching band and a hockey pep band. And he spent two summers participating in service programs, working with the homeless and providing spiritual education for children and teens.</p>
<p>Through it all, he saw Notre Dame’s Catholic identity as a common thread.</p>
<p>“My work is distinctly connected to and informed by my faith,” he said. “But anything you do at Notre Dame can be part of the Catholic mission and our commitment to Catholic social justice and education.”</p>
<p><em>A version of this story first appeared in the <a href="https://issuu.com/universityofnotredamenewmedia/docs/arts_letters">College of Arts and Letters viewbook</a>.</em></p>
<blockquote>
<p>“My work is distinctly connected to and informed by my faith. But anything you do at Notre Dame can be part of the Catholic mission and our commitment to Catholic social justice and education.” </p>
<p class="cite">— Luke Donahue ’17, theology and German major</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Carrie Gates</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://al.nd.edu/news/latest-news/how-seeing-the-hesburgh-librarys-medieval-manuscripts-convinced-a-notre-dame-student-to-major-in-theology-and-german/">al.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">June 20, 2018</span>.</p>Carrie Gatestag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/862492018-04-25T13:00:00-04:002018-11-29T13:13:52-05:00Russian Pancake Night!<p>Students in the Russian Department had a blast on April 19 in the Lewis Hall kitchen. They made and enjoyed dessert, Russian salads, tea, and, most importantly, bliny (Russian pancakes)! Here are some pictures of the students in the kitchen:</p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 173831803" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273475/img_20180419_173831803.jpg"></p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 172448570" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273474/img_20180419_172448570.jpg">…</p><p>Students in the Russian Department had a blast on April 19 in the Lewis Hall kitchen. They made and enjoyed dessert, Russian salads, tea, and, most importantly, bliny (Russian pancakes)! Here are some pictures of the students in the kitchen:</p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 173831803" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273475/img_20180419_173831803.jpg"></p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 172448570" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273474/img_20180419_172448570.jpg"></p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 171532996" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273473/img_20180419_171532996.jpg"></p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 170656051" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273471/img_20180419_170656051.jpg"></p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 171021803" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273472/img_20180419_171021803.jpg"></p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 170327119" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273470/img_20180419_170327119.jpg"></p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 164935251" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273466/img_20180419_164935251.jpg"></p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 165828005" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273468/img_20180419_165828005.jpg"></p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 165353752" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273469/img_20180419_165353752.jpg"></p>
<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 164832215" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273465/img_20180419_164832215.jpg"></p>
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<p class="image-left"><img alt="Img 20180419 174039794" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/273476/img_20180419_174039794.jpg"></p>Christopher Enabnittag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/861652018-04-23T13:00:00-04:002018-11-29T13:13:52-05:00ACTR Essay Contest Results!<p>Congratulations to the five Notre Dame students who have been awarded Honorable Mentions in ACTR's National Post-Secondary Russian Essay-Writing Contest! The winners are:</p>
<p>Level A1<br>
Elizabeth Kolb</p>
<p>Level A2<br>
Catherine Hidy, Tessa Klein, Anthony Stoner</p>
<p>Level B4<br>
Weronika Kaczmarczyk</p>
<p>Поздравляем! And thanks to all who took the time to participate!…</p><p>Congratulations to the five Notre Dame students who have been awarded Honorable Mentions in ACTR's National Post-Secondary Russian Essay-Writing Contest! The winners are:</p>
<p>Level A1<br>
Elizabeth Kolb</p>
<p>Level A2<br>
Catherine Hidy, Tessa Klein, Anthony Stoner</p>
<p>Level B4<br>
Weronika Kaczmarczyk</p>
<p>Поздравляем! And thanks to all who took the time to participate!</p>Christopher Enabnittag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/854432018-04-04T13:15:00-04:002018-11-29T13:13:52-05:00Alumni discuss how the international economics major prepared them for jobs in consulting, finance, and research<p>Four alumni of Notre Dame’s international economics program returned to campus in March to speak to current students about their experience with the major, valuable classes they took, and the skills they developed that are now paying dividends in the real world</p><p class="image-default"><img alt="Img 8094" src="https://al.nd.edu/assets/271276/1200x/img_8094.jpg">International economics alumni Rob O’Brien ’17, Bridget Pruzin ’17, Elisabeth O’Toole ’15, and Stephen Schroeder ’15 answered questions from current students at a panel discussion at Jenkins Nanovic Halls.</p>
<hr>
<p>Four alumni of Notre Dame’s international economics program returned to campus in March to speak to current students about their experience with the major, valuable classes they took, and the skills they developed that are now paying dividends in the real world.</p>
<h3><strong>Rob O’Brien ’17</strong></h3>
<p><em>International economics major (Arabic)</em><br>
Analyst, Booz Allen Hamilton, Alexandria, Virginia</p>
<p>“During college, a key competency is answering a question without any sources provided. A lot of times in my job, I have to answer, within a paragraph, a question that nobody knows about on my team. I think economics is the closest within academic style of writing to this intelligence writing. It’s right to the point, and you back it up down the line. So writing has really helped, especially the econ-style writing, during my time at Booz Allen.</p>
<p>“I took two political economy classes that I thought were amazing. One was an introductory lecture, and another one was Political Economy of Development, where we jumped geographically and functionally from different fields and subfields of political economy. It was hard sometimes understanding the papers themselves, but our discussions were really awesome.</p>
<p>“I liked econometrics. My econometrics class was pretty practical. It was a lecture and our professor, <a href="https://economics.nd.edu/faculty/kasey-buckles/">Kasey Buckles</a>, was really awesome. She made sure to make every learning opportunity a practical application. I found myself learning to love cleaning data and working with Stata from that class.”</p>
<h3><strong>Elisabeth O’Toole ’15</strong></h3>
<p><em>International economics major (Spanish) </em><br>
Research associate, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-<span class="caps">PAL</span>), Cambridge, Massachusetts</p>
<p>“I did a lot of experiential learning through the international economics major. I got to study abroad in Toledo, Spain, for a semester, and I went to Guatemala for a summer to do research. I developed a lot of skills through humanities-focused research.</p>
<p>“I write most of my days, so taking Spanish classes and writing rigorous papers in Spanish really made me a better English writer. That definitely prepared me for the role that I’m in. That, combined with the hard skills of using Stata software and just general theory from econometrics and different research-based classes, definitely helps me with my current role.</p>
<p>“I use Stata almost everyday. I do more investigative work like troubleshooting and data visualization. I learned that in econometrics and an international development class. That’s a very hard skill that I would not have had any idea how to do if not for those courses.”</p>
<h3><strong>Bridget Pruzin ’17</strong></h3>
<p><em>International economics major (Arabic)</em><br>
Financial crimes compliance analyst, Western Union Business Solutions, Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>“When I came to Notre Dame, I really wanted to go down the policy, international relations, and possibly legal roads. Then I started missing quantitative experience and knowledge. I also started Arabic and became interested in the Middle East, so I wanted to have an area of focus on the Middle East. International economics was a great way to combine policy, quantitative skills, and an area of study with my language.</p>
<p>“My senior thesis was the best decision I made. The project I did was on terrorist funding and digital currency and the risk and regulations associated with that. That project is definitely what got me the job I have now at Western Union.</p>
<p>“That independent research has been the most helpful for me today. When I was first starting, there was no specialist in Bitcoin or anything like that. So having that responsibility put on me, knowing that I was capable of going through without leaning on an expert, and having those tools here and being able to utilize them was something that has been really helpful.” </p>
<h3><strong>Stephen Schroeder ’15</strong></h3>
<p><em>International economics major (German)</em><br>
Investment banking analyst, Sandler O’Neill & Partners, New York City </p>
<p>“The international economics major helped me gain a stronger technical base to develop and interpret financial models, a broader understanding of how the U.S. economy functions, and a greater appreciation for international business as a whole.</p>
<p>“The major gave me a lot of things that I use in my day-to-day work. On the technical side, the quantitative theory is what I see, with the data crunching that we do, dealing with abstract models, and trying to come to more real-life solutions through those models.”</p>
<p>“Both on the German and on the economics side, a lot of our coursework delved into current events and keeping up on what’s going on in the U.S. economy and internationally. That’s something I’ve taken with me and use every day. It’s very important for us, as analyst associates, to keep up on topics that are going to impact our clients.”</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Teagan Dillon</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://al.nd.edu/news/latest-news/alumni-discuss-how-the-international-economics-major-prepared-them-for-jobs-in-consulting-finance-and-research/">al.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">April 04, 2018</span>.</p>Teagan Dillontag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/835652018-01-31T09:00:00-05:002018-11-29T13:13:52-05:00Discovering the World of Russian Film<p><a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/russian-faculty/">Melissa Miller</a>, director of Notre Dame’s <a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/russian-program/">Russian language program</a>, brought a group of students from her Post-Soviet Russian Cinema class to attend a weekend of the Chicago International Film Festival thanks to a <a href="https://al.nd.edu/advising/faculty-teaching-resources/tbc-grants/">Teaching Beyond the Classroom</a>…</p><p><a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/russian-faculty/">Melissa Miller</a>, director of Notre Dame’s <a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/russian-program/">Russian language program</a>, brought a group of students from her Post-Soviet Russian Cinema class to attend a weekend of the Chicago International Film Festival thanks to a <a href="https://al.nd.edu/advising/faculty-teaching-resources/tbc-grants/">Teaching Beyond the Classroom</a> grant from the College of Arts and Letters.</p>
<p>After studying Russian cinema in the classroom, students were able to see how the concepts applied to the Eastern European films showing at the festival. </p>
<p>“The important thing for me was that students had a chance to take the stuff that we have seen in our class, which is specifically Russian, and compare it with other experiences in post-communist eastern Europe,” Miller said. “The students were able to make insightful connections between what we had seen and what we had been studying in the course.”</p>
<p>For sophomore Jessie Saeli, a <a href="http://pls.nd.edu/">Program of Liberal Studies</a> and Russian major and <a href="https://kellogg.nd.edu/jessica-saeli">Kellogg International Scholar</a>, the trip was also an opportunity to deepen her interest in the Russian language and culture through conversations.</p>
<p>“Being able to hang out with my Russian professor and a Russian Fulbright student, I was able to ask a lot of questions and practice the language in more of a casual environment,” she said. “It was a great experience.”</p>
<p>While Miller had the students gather in small groups to discuss and review the films after fall break, the real discussion took place during small pockets of downtime on the trip. </p>
<p>“There’s an incredible atmosphere when you’re attending a film festival with your classmates,” said Nicholas Taylor, a <a href="http://ftt.nd.edu/">film, television, and theatre</a> major who went on the trip. “My roommate and I had this really long discussion after we saw a Finnish comedy. We were just talking about it for hours afterwards. Having that experience was extremely beneficial.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Read the full online article <a href="https://al.nd.edu/news/latest-news/arts-and-letters-use-academic-breaks-to-advance-research-pursue-learning-opportunities-away-from-campus/" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>Steffen Kaupptag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/835042018-01-29T09:45:00-05:002018-11-29T13:13:52-05:00Q&A with Melissa Miller, director of the Russian language program<p class="image-right"><img alt="Melissa Miller" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/246671/melissa_miller_1_.jpg"></p>
<p><em><a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/russian-faculty/">Melissa Miller</a> is an assistant teaching professor in the </em><a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/"><em>Department of German and Russian Languages and Literatures</em></a><em> and director of the Russian language program. She came to Notre Dame in 2016 as a visiting assistant professional specialist, after receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.</em>…</p><p class="image-right"><img alt="Melissa Miller" src="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/assets/246671/melissa_miller_1_.jpg"></p>
<p><em><a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/russian-faculty/">Melissa Miller</a> is an assistant teaching professor in the </em><a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/"><em>Department of German and Russian Languages and Literatures</em></a><em> and director of the Russian language program. She came to Notre Dame in 2016 as a visiting assistant professional specialist, after receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.</em></p>
<p><strong>What are you currently researching?</strong></p>
<p>My research focuses on the medical humanities in the context of Russian literature and culture. The medical humanities seek to combine expertise in both medicine and the liberal arts — including literature, music, film, history and cultural studies — in order to “re-humanize” medical education.</p>
<p>In particular, I study Russian physician-writers and the concept of narrative medicine. Narrative medicine seeks to harness the power of interpreting and acting on stories of those suffering from illness in order to provide them with more humane and effective treatment.</p>
<p><strong>What inspired you to focus on the medical humanities?</strong></p>
<p>When I started studying Russian literature, I knew I wanted to connect what many see as a very abstract, and even aloof, endeavor to contemporary human concerns.</p>
<p>With the current debates in our country surrounding health care, it is more important than ever to consider how valuable access to proper medical treatment is for human life. The ways in which Russian authors have used storytelling to treat disease and heal patients in dire political and historical circumstances has much to teach us in America today.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it important to be studying Russian?</strong></p>
<p>Russia has never stopped being a vital subject of study — despite the fact that, after the fall of the Soviet Union, an attitude of “been there, done that, let’s move on,” prevailed in the United States regarding Russian language and culture education. It is in everyone’s best interest that we figure out a way to work with Russia, not against it.</p>
<p>Last semester, I taught Post-Soviet Russian Cinema, which depicts a world in upheaval. The characters we study on screen have lost much of what they used to know and must rebuild their society anew. The ability to navigate dramatic personal and professional change and come out the other side is an essential skill for students to have as they transition from college to an independent life.</p>
<p><strong>Why is study abroad such a critical component of learning the language?</strong></p>
<p>The biggest hurdle to studying Russia is the stereotype that it is too mysterious, too foreign, too strange to engage with. Study away programs work on an immediate and personal level to challenge those notions and introduce students to their counterparts abroad. Our students form lasting friendships with the young Russians they meet and remain in touch with each other through social media. These relationships continue to challenge narrow or one-sided views of the world, long after the official program has ended.</p>
<p><em>"With the current debates in our country surrounding health care, it is more important than ever to consider how valuable access to proper medical treatment is for human life. The ways in which Russian authors have used storytelling to treat disease and heal patients in dire political and historical circumstances has much to teach us in America today."</em></p>
<p><a href="https://al.nd.edu/news/latest-news/q-a-with-melissa-miller-director-of-the-russian-language-program/">Link to online article</a></p>Carrie Gatestag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/820902017-11-27T09:35:00-05:002018-11-29T13:13:52-05:00New Grant: The Summer Achievement Grant in Russian Language<p>The Department of German and Russian Languages and Literatures will offer up to five $1,500 grants to students who successfully complete a first-year or second-year Russian language sequence at an accredited US university this summer. In addition, scholarship recipients must agree to enroll in Intermediate or Advanced Russian I (Fall 2018) and Intermediate or Advanced Russian II (Spring 2019) upon their return to Notre Dame next academic year. Examples of eligible programs follow below, but students may apply the scholarship to any accredited US university with prior approval from the Department.…</p><p>The Department of German and Russian Languages and Literatures will offer up to five $1,500 grants to students who successfully complete a first-year or second-year Russian language sequence at an accredited US university this summer. In addition, scholarship recipients must agree to enroll in Intermediate or Advanced Russian I (Fall 2018) and Intermediate or Advanced Russian II (Spring 2019) upon their return to Notre Dame next academic year. Examples of eligible programs follow below, but students may apply the scholarship to any accredited US university with prior approval from the Department.</p>
<p>Although current First-Year students, sophomores, and juniors are eligible, this opportunity is primarily for students who wish to complete a minor or major. For example, a First-Year student who completes a first-year summer course would be on-track to attain a major in Russian over her or his last three years at Notre Dame.</p>
<p>For more information, please visit <a href="https://germanandrussian.nd.edu/russian-program/the-summer-achievement-grant-in-russian-language/">this link</a> or contact Professor David Gasperetti (<a href="mailto:dgaspere@nd.edu">dgaspere@nd.edu</a>), Director of Undergraduate Studies for Russian.</p>David Gasperettitag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/797552017-09-15T13:30:00-04:002018-11-29T13:13:52-05:00ESSAY: Remembering our darker past<p>Robert Norton, Professor of German and Philosophy, reflects on the importance of "Remembering our darker past," in his essay written for the ND Magazine in the wake of the Charlottesville violence. He concludes that "[p]erhaps the moment has come for us as Americans not to tear down the distressing reminders of a hateful patrimony but instead to construct our own national Mahnmal, one that exhorts us to live up to humanity’s highest ideals by confronting us with the dire consequences of surrendering to our worst impulses."…</p><p>Robert Norton, Professor of German and Philosophy, reflects on the importance of “Remembering our darker past,” in his essay written for the ND Magazine in the wake of the Charlottesville violence. He concludes that “[p]erhaps the moment has come for us as Americans not to tear down the distressing reminders of a hateful patrimony but instead to construct our own national Mahnmal, one that exhorts us to live up to humanity’s highest ideals by confronting us with the dire consequences of surrendering to our worst impulses.”</p>
<p>For the full essay, please see this link: <a data-ft='{"tn":"-U"}' data-lynx-mode="origin" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmagazine.nd.edu%2Fnews%2Fremembering-our-darker-past%2F&h=ATM5wdMdkWGUpjDXYE5znTcACpoUOv1d7mUVlXh6gz-T-fzib4Fddi55nRKb2_055j-BXaBstDGFiRsy6HDPvJNweifkDPcgusY8Ctk1moy1JuI2QYWttokEoxhMOyNFFXqEJIfjyu1u53PTBuxYsJ9OVHB9qKmcQMvyygQ8lRcEsOlRdhUVGhETkI6axv0BzRvAWdFyE1xjar-hAoR0x9wIC-MO6ompIcgzoLHH8wq0731Za24nMC0U6zDLJbtD-SquFWibgrL62jjrKXoVRP_rVUMF-_qK5XDwAZR3IvtNLQ" target="_blank">https://magazine.nd.edu/news/remembering-our-darker-past/</a></p>Steffen Kaupptag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/725232017-01-10T11:40:00-05:002018-11-29T13:13:52-05:00VIDEO: No German? No Problem! Go Berlin: The Notre Dame Berlin Summer Program<div class="youtube-embed-wrapper" style="height:0; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%; padding-top:30px; position:relative"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZDnSjI3wU_o?rel=0" style="position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;width: 100%;height: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
<p>Experience the summer of a lifetime with the Notre Dame Berlin Summer program. Take courses in both German and/or English. To apply and for more information, consult the <a href="http://international.nd.edu/education-abroad/study-abroad/" target="_blank">NDI brochure</a>.  …</p><div class="youtube-embed-wrapper" style="height:0; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%; padding-top:30px; position:relative"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZDnSjI3wU_o?rel=0" style="position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;width: 100%;height: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
<p>Experience the summer of a lifetime with the Notre Dame Berlin Summer program. Take courses in both German and/or English. To apply and for more information, consult the <a href="http://international.nd.edu/education-abroad/study-abroad/" target="_blank">NDI brochure</a>. </p>Steffen Kaupptag:germanandrussian.nd.edu,2005:News/695362016-09-08T10:00:00-04:002018-11-29T13:13:52-05:00Why Mallory Brown ’06 (German minor) hires Arts and Letters majors at her global consulting firm<p dir="ltr"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RzSqx-QlFZM?rel=0" width="800"></iframe></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="margin-left:auto;">“From a liberal arts education at Notre Dame, you very quickly learned how to make an argument and see the holes in the argument,” said Mallory Brown ’06, principal at Egon Zehnder, a global management consulting and executive search firm.</p>
<p style="margin-left:auto;">A <a href="http://politicalscience.nd.edu/">political science</a> major and a <a href="http://germanandrussian.nd.edu/">German</a>…</p><p dir="ltr"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RzSqx-QlFZM?rel=0" width="800"></iframe></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="margin-left:auto;">“From a liberal arts education at Notre Dame, you very quickly learned how to make an argument and see the holes in the argument,” said Mallory Brown ’06, principal at Egon Zehnder, a global management consulting and executive search firm.</p>
<p style="margin-left:auto;">A <a href="http://politicalscience.nd.edu/">political science</a> major and a <a href="http://germanandrussian.nd.edu/">German</a> minor in the <a href="https://al.nd.edu/">College of Arts and Letters</a>, Brown has spent her entire career with the company, beginning at its Chicago office, then New York, and now in Berlin for the last five years.</p>
<p style="margin-left:auto;">“It's quite enjoyable because I get to transition into a lot of different topics,” she said, ”and I get to continuously learn about a variety of areas that actually had not a lot of grounding in what I studied. But it's through the skills that I built in studying Arts and Letters that I've been able to make those transitions in my career.”</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-left:auto;">When hiring entry-level researchers, Brown said that she looks for students with a broad educational background.</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-left:auto;">“I'm targeting Arts and Letters majors because I know they can write well, and they've also had exposure to a broad number of topics,” Brown said. “We deal with every industry, every function, and every geography, so the broader the type of candidate and the type of student we can interview, the better, because they are then able to adapt into a variety of different business contexts.”</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-left:auto;">Originally published by Todd Boruff at <a href="https://al.nd.edu/news/latest-news/69146-video-mallory-brown-06-on-why-she-hires-arts-and-letters-majors-at-her-global-consulting-firm/" target="_blank">College of Arts & Letters Latest News</a>. </p>Todd Boruff