Welcome Message from Dr. Malakaj, Newly Appointed Director of Undergraduate Studies in German
I’m very excited to take on a new role as the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the German program in UBC’s Department of Central, Eastern, and Northern European Studies. You can find out more about my research on my faculty page.
For a couple of semesters, I spearheaded our department’s Undergraduate German Curriculum Renewal Project. We pursued this work in order to revise our course offerings and streamline our undergraduate programs (German honours, German major, German minor, German studies minor). We want our students beginning their language and culture studies journey in the first semester of Beginner’s German already to anticipate—and thus be better prepared for—some of the work they will be asked to pursue in later sequences. Our new program goals will be language-forward, grounded in critical approaches to German studies, and will feature a host of new, exciting courses that speak to the interests and lived experiences of our students. To date, we have made a lot of progress on this project. Stay tuned for more updates about it in the coming months.
Part of the work my colleagues and I will pursue this academic year relates to co-curricular offerings in German studies. Currently, we are reviving our undergraduate German studies research symposium and are developing an undergraduate German studies research journal. Students will be integral to these projects. I’ll be sure to share more information about both initiatives as it is available. However, if you are already intrigued and would like to participate in either of the two ventures, be sure to reach out. I’ll find a way for you to contribute as we continue to shape an intellectual community around German studies at UBC.
My colleagues and I are excited to work with you this new academic year. I’ve already had the distinct pleasure to meet some of you and talk about your interests in German studies at UBC. However, I’m keen on getting to know other undergraduate students interested in any aspect of German studies. While I understand that the beginning of term will be quite hectic and exciting, I hope that you’ll be able to take some time and shoot me an email. Here is a bit more info about the types of conversations we can have:
UBC Undergrads: Reach Out!
I’d be glad to chat with you about any aspect of UBC’s German program. The best way to reach me is via email (ervin.malakaj@ubc.ca). I’d be glad to make an appointment to talk about:
- individual course offerings
- one of our undergraduate programs (honours, major, minor, German studies minor
- the scholarships and award prizes in German studies
- external funding sources for research and study in German studies (including grad school planning)
- study abroad programs
- anything that interests you: I value conversation and welcome the chance to meet and get to know students
UBC and Broader Vancouver Community: Reach Out!
I’m eager to connect to staff, faculty, and students at UBC, as well as with broader Vancouver community members, who have an investment in German studies. The department is aiming to develop better relations with our campus and broader communities and would welcome your input about how we could best do that.
Course Offerings in German
We offer courses from Beginner’s German to advanced seminars in cultural analysis. Courses are taught in German or in English. To find out more about our rich course offerings, visit this link.
