Cooperation with other universities
The Department of German cooperates with many sister departments at universities in South Africa and overseas.
The friendly relationship with foreign universities has, over the years, resulted in numerous guest lectures by distinguished scholars from overseas and, vice versa, in many invitations of staff members to read papers at those universities. The closest ties are being maintained with the Department of "Neuere Deutsche Literaturwissenschaft" at the University of Augsburg, Germany; they led to a formal agreement between the two universities, which was signed by both rectors in Augsburg in July 2000. This agreement provides the opportunity for an exchange of both students and lecturers.
In June 2009, Dr Baker visited the University of Augsburg with a group of students and invited the University of Augsburg to send their students to UJ for the practical component of their studies of teaching German as a foreign language.
For a full report and some photos, see "Augsburg visit" under the news items.
Cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg and the DAAD
The Department of German is entertaining a cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg. A link between the websites of the Department of German and the Goethe-Institut has been established.
One of our second year students, Oratile Thebe, was awarded a bursary by the DAAD to attend a language Winter school in Berlin in January and February 2010.
Watch this space for a report and some photos when she returns.
Coorperation with Schools
The Department of German is in contact with schools in Gauteng that still offer German as a foreign language up to matric level. Dr Baker joins the teachers from schools that still offer German up to Matric in workshops offered by the Goethe Institut on a regular basis.
SAGV (Association for German Studies in Southern Africa)
The Association for German Studies in Southern Africa holds conferences bi-annually. Scholars from all over the world participate and the papers are of a high standard. To coincide with the World Cup, a conference in collaboration with GAS (Germanistik in Afrika Subsahara) will take place in Stellenbosch from 14 to 18 March 2010.
www.sagv.org.za