MODERN

GERMANY UPDATE

The Transatlantic Outreach Program had the distinct honor and pleasure of sponsoring the German ambassador’s keynote speech at the National Council for the Social Studies conference held in Baltimore, Maryland last November. Dr. Wolfgang Ischinger, the German Ambassador to the United States since July 2001, encouraged the many social studies educators in attendance to see the glass half full in regards to modern-day European-American relations. The ambassador emphasized common foreign policy goals of both American and EU governments, for example the two governments’ desire to see a democratic Iran without nuclear weapons and a Palestinian state created in peace. Speaking specifically about the Middle-East Peace Process, Ambassador Ischinger said that “Europeans do not aspire to a leadership role themselves, but want to see a clear demonstration of the will-ingness of the United States to commit totally to this task.” It is clear that both sides of the Atlantic are willing, but now is the time for effort. In the eyes of Ambassador Ischinger, the United States needs to make an effort to recognize Europe as a trust-worthy partner, and Europe needs to be capable of translating words into deeds if it wants to be taken more seriously.

The Transatlantic Outreach Program thanks Wolfgang Ischinger for his service not only to the United States as ambassador but also for his encouragement and sup-port while serving as the president of the board of overseers for the Transatlantic Outreach Program. We wish him well as he leaves to become the next ambassador to the United Kingdom in London.

German Ambassador Gives Keynote Speech at NCSS 2004

The Official Newsletter of the Transatlantic Outreach Program. Editors: James Bryan and Wood Powell

SPRING/SUMMER 2005

German ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger addresses social studies educators at the 2004 NCSS conference in Baltimore, MD.

A New Web Site, A New Partner

The Transatlantic Outreach Program is proud to announce the launch of its new web site, now located at the more convenient web address, http://www.goethe.de/top. This newly redesigned web site makes obtaining information about “TOP” easier than ever before! Social Studies educators throughout the United States interested in conducting a workshop about Modern Germany at the local, state, regional, or national level will find information about “TOP” mate-rials and how to obtain them for free. Current and past editions of the “TOP” newsletter may also be downloaded. And last but certainly not least, information about past, present, and future study tours to Germany, including the 2006 application form, will be available for download.

The Transatlantic Outreach Program would also like to welcome and thank The Robert Bosch Foundation as the Program’s newest partner. Without their support, fewer social studies edu-cators would have the chance to enjoy Germany in 2005.

2 MODERNGERMANYUPDATE

Germany and the Fight Against Terror

While it is true that the Bush and Schroeder administrations do not exactly see eye-to-eye in terms of a common foreign policy towards Iraq, no American should take that fact as an indication of any reluctance on Germany’s part to fight terrorism. Quite the contrary, Germany has been a leading backer of efforts to secure peace and stability in Afghanistan since a U.S.-led coalition toppled the brutal Taliban regime in 2001. With approximately 2,000 troops, Germany is the leading contributor to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force providing security in Afghanistan. And in addition to its military engage-ment, Germany has spearheaded the training of some 3,000 senior Afghan police officers at eight German-staffed locations in the Afghan provinces.

Germany’s involvement in the fight against terror also extends into Iraq. Germany sup-ports the stabilization and reconstruction efforts of the Iraqi government in several key ways: Trains units of Iraqi army engineers in the United Arab Emirates, supplies the Iraqi army with equipment such as trucks, personnel carriers, armored vehicles, medical care units, and ambulances, provides training for Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, and has contrib-uted $5 million to help the United Nations set up a military protection force for the UN mis-sion in Iraq. As a gesture of Germany’s resolve to see a democratic Iraq, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, during a February 2005 meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush in Mainz, pledged to provide additional support to Iraq in the form of German expertise rebuilding democratic institutions.

All total, around 7,000 German soldiers are currently serving on missions abroad.

- Excerpts taken from The Week in Germany Newsletter, March 2005

World’s Most Liveable City

MÜNSTER

The LivAward Committee, an annual event supported by the United Nations, awarded Münster this year’s award for the Most Liveable City. The award was presented in Niagara, Canada in mid-October, and the award came as a sur-prise to the citizens of Münster. Münster won the award for cities with a popula-tion between 200,000 and 750,000, edg-ing out cities like Seattle, Washington.

A big plus for Münster was its envi-ronmental policies that added to the beau-ty and old-world charm of this city. Visitors to this city will see 400,000 bicycles in a city with a population of 280,000, acquir-ing the nickname of “Germany’s Bicycle Capital.” The city boasts over 168 miles of bicycle paths, and the main railway station has underground space for 3,500 bikes. Environmental protection is ever present in a city that seeks to lower carbon dioxide emissions by 25%.

Münster has many other elements in its favor. It has the highest per capita of cinemas in Germany; institutes of higher learning, including Europe’s first Center for Nanotechnology; once every ten years the Skulptur attracts artists from all over the world; a museum of modern art and one of the four Picasso museums in the world; and many other historic and cultural attractions.

The city in northern Germany has its vision set on the future, and truly deserves the moniker, World’s Most Liveable City.

– Atlantic Times

NJ Students Thank German Peacekeepers with Letters

Students at West Morris Central High School in Chester, New Jersey, have written German

peacekeepers serving in Afghanistan with words of encouragement and praise for their efforts to bring

peace to communities still reeling from decades of oppression.

The first package of 115 letters, many written by members of the school’s German Club, was

shipped out at the end of March with help from the German Embassy in Washington. The students are

now eagerly awaiting responses from the soldiers, who will write back in either German or English.

The German Club started its letter exchange as a way to recognize the efforts of those

German troops in Afghanistan and to promote

people-to-people cultural exchange and German-

American friendship within their community.

Like similar “pen pal” exchanges, the

German Club’s program is based on the students’

interest in forging ties with people from Germany,

but it is also about giving students a chance to

learn about German culture from the “horse’s

mouth.”

Visit www.letternet.de to find a German pen-pal!

– Excerpted from The Week in Germany Newsletter, April 2005

MODERNGERMANYUPDATE 3

Recent WorkshopsFall 2004 – Spring 2005

Lois J. Barner Brentwood, TNRebecca Battistoni Athens, GABeth Bauchman Seguin, TXLounelle M. Beecher Athens, GADr. Cindy Beeley East Amherst, NYGerry Beskeley San Francisco, CADr. Glen Blankenship Lilburn, GASarah Herzog Borden Minneapolis, MNJames A. Bryan Columbia, SCBrenda Chapman Oklahoma City, OKMarjorie Cole Norfolk, VASharon Coleman Athens, GALinda Cotter Columbus, OHAlexander Cuenca Hialeah Gardens, FLLinda Cummings Shelley, IDEleanor Fails Jacksonville, FLKaren Ferris-Fearnside Niskayuna, NYKhampraseuth Fetters Columbus, OHWilliam P. Fitzhugh Baltimore, MDJoshua Fradel Neward, MDJennifer Garner Cumming, GASusan Gogue Baraboo, WISharon Goralewski Waterford, MICatherine Hall Inglewood, CAMarie Harris Oklahoma City, OKLisa Iverson Turner, ORMary Lynn Johnson Spring, TXDoreen Jumper Addison, NYDr. Darrel Kruger Normal, ILMarlis Lade Antigonish, Nova ScotiaLeslie Lee Miami, FLBeverly Lucas Topeka, KSJoann Mart Rocklin, CAProf. Denée Mattioli Elizabethton, TNLori Megivern Cortland, NYPatricia Miletech Nashville, TNGreg Mixon Kennesaw, GADr. Michael Nentwich Atlanta, GAKim O’Neil Liverpool, NYSgaron Phares Jacksonville, FLLinda Ray Omaha, NEHenry Rehn Shelby Township, MIBarbara Spillane Belleville, NJSonya Stejskal Omaha, NESusanne Sterzer-Paull Kissimmee, FLDr. Cynthia Sunal Tuscaloosa, ALKimberly Terry Fort Mill, SCProf. Frank de Varona Miami, FLJulie Wakefield Reno, NVKelly Walker Norfolk, VASProf. Kay E. Weller Cedar Falls, IAAlice W. White Dallas, TXAnthony Yodice Charlotte, NC

Rebuilding a Part of History

After much study, the decision was made to rebuild the Stadtschloss, Berlin’s City Palace, home of the Hohenzollerns. The Stadtschloss, home to the Prussian kings and German Kaisers, and after the abdication of the Kaiser in 1918, the home of a national museum, was badly damaged during World War II. The ruins of the palace, first constructed in 1443, which had 1,210 rooms and a total area of 23,800 square meters, were demolished in 1950

by the German Democratic Republic. In place of the palace the Palast der Republik, Palace of the Republic, was constructed and was the home of the German Democratic Republic’s (East German) parliament.

Since reunification, discussion on what to do with the site has resonated throughout the artistic and cultural community of Berlin. In 1993, an artist’s rendering on canvas was displayed there, sparking discussion. On July 4, 2003 the German Bundestag voted to sup-port a study that concluded that architectural balance to the city center could be restored by rebuilding the Stadtschloss at an estimated cost of $900 million. Once reconstruction is complete, the Stadtschloss will become the home of a “Humboldt Forum”, a combination of cultural and scientific institutions and programs. So far, private donors have given $11.5 million for the reconstruction of the facade, which has an estimated cost of $102 million. The financing of the interior, estimated at $743 million, is expected to be provided for by public money.

Work is slated to begin sometime in 2005, but it is expected to take five years, with com-pletion in 2010. Worldwide fundraising has begun with the slogan, Become a Palace Owner. The association to reconstruct the palace, under the leadership of Wilhelm von Boddien, has released a CD-ROM film, allowing prospective donors to view the Stadtschloss from all angles as it would have looked more than 200 years ago. To learn more about the ongoing fundrais-ing effort and the growing interest in reviving the Stadtschloss, please visit the website: www.Berliner-Schloss.de. The mostly-German site provides historic photographs and a tour of the former palace.

A Year of AnniversariesCelebrating Schiller’s Life

In the year 2005, the Goethe-Institut will celebrate the life of Friedrich von Schiller who died on May 9, 1805, 200 years ago in Weimar at the age of 45. His famous friend-ship with Goethe cemented the reputation of both at the pinnacle of German litera-ture, and established their city of residence, Weimar, as the spiritual capital of Germany.

Pride in these two literary giants prompted the Germans of the nineteenth century to proclaim their country “das Land der Dichter und denker,” the land of poets and philoso-phers. These Germans failed to foresee that the classical music composers of the German speaking world would have a much greater impact internationally than these poets. It is easy to see why. While music may not be a universal language, it is an international one. Poetry, while the most musical of the literary genres, is almost untranslatable and therefore

difficult to appreciates unless you speak the language of the poet.

Schiller was a poet, a dramatist, a philosopher, and a professor of history. His international reputation rests upon his plays, which are often seen abroad in operatic form by Verdi. In Germany, his works, like those of Goethe, were required reading in schools thoughouth the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It was often said that someone who did not prefer the soaring ide-alistic Schiller to Goethe in his or her youth had no heart, but if someone still preferred Schiller to Goethe in adult years, he or she had no brain.

The Nazis claimed Schiller, an advocate of freedom and enlightenment, as their favorite classic. For this reason, his popular-ity declined during the second half of the twentieth century. However in recent years, the best German directors have reinterpreted his plays for our time.

Einstein Year 2005This year Germany will celebrate a

native son who had to flee the Nazis, Albert Einstein. This year marks the 100th anniver-sary of Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity and the 50th anniversary of his death. The so-called “Einstein Year” of 2005 is being marked with tours, a scientific conference and a major exhibition about Einstein, whose theories about space, time and relativity revolutionized science and also helped make him a pop icon.

Einstein, who was Jewish, was born in Ulm, Germany in 1879. He left Germany one month before Adolf Hitler took power in 1933, and he never returned. From the

beginning, he was a forceful critic of Hitler’s dictatorship.

Einstein’s special theory of relativity says a large amount of energy could be released from a tiny amount of matter. The theory changed the face of physics, allowing scientists to make predictions about space and paving the way for nuclear power and the atomic bomb, the latter being deeply ironic, considering Einstein’s inclination to pacifism. Although he didn’t work on the bomb, Einstein signed a crucial 1939 letter urging President Franklin Roosevelt to speed work on nuclear weapons, warning that the Germans appeared to be doing the same, an action he later said he regretted.

Einstein died in Princeton, New Jersey on April 18, 1955. Germans have taken his iconic status as a chance to ponder their country’s scientific innovations and wonder how to keep their brightest people from leav-ing. Germany has long prided itself on being the homeland of some of the world’s great-est philosophers and scientists, but it has agonized in recent years about the strength of its education system and the “brain drain” that draws its scientists to elite universities in the United States.

4 MODERNGERMANYUPDATE

MORE ANNIVERSARIES IN GERMAN HISTORYApril 18, 2005:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50th Anniversary of the death of Albert EinsteinMay 8, 2005: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60th Anniversary of the end of the Second World WarMay 9, 2005: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200th Anniversary of the death of Friedrich von SchillerAugust 12, 2005: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50th Anniversary of the death of Thomas Mann October 15, 2005: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15th Anniversary of German Unification

MODERNGERMANYUPDATE 5

Rebecca Battistoni, TOP Fellow 2004, Georgia, will be leaving the United States in July to teach for two years in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. She will teach ancient civilizations and language arts to middle school students.

Joan Campe, TOP FELLOW 2004, Minnesota, is a recipient of a Fulbright Hays Travel Seminar to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands for the summer of 2005.

Nancy Dinaburg, TOP FELLOW 2004, New York, presented at the New York Social Studies Convention this year.

Becky Dingle, TOP FELLOW 2001, South Carolina, retired, continues her work with social studies as an independent consultant on best practices in social studies, presenting in districts throughout South Carolina.

Lisa DosSantos, TOP FELLOW 2004, Florida, will present at the state’s largest library about her trip to Germany, and the library will display enlarged, matted copies of her Germany trip photographs. Her pre-sentation, done several times, will be filmed for use throughout the district.

Judianne Drebitko, TOP FELLOW 2004, New York, presented at the New York Social Studies Convention this year.

Karen Ferris-Fearnside, TOP FELLOW 2004, New York, presented at the New York Social Studies Convention this year.

William Fitzhugh, TOP FELLOW 2003, Maryland, will spend a month this sum-mer in Morocco and Moorish Spain on a Fulbright. He is currently teaching a college course, Education 331, K-8 Social Studies Methods at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and he incorporate lots of activities and ideas from A Kid Like Me from Across the Sea and Communities and Regions in Germany. Also, he was awarded the Elizabeth Braithewaite mini-grant from the Association for Childhood Education International, and he will conduct a workshop at the National Association for Childhood Education annual conference in Washington entitled, The Art of Geography/The Geography in Art.

Kay Gandy, Kentucky, published an article entitled, “Teaching Social Studies on the Shoestring Budget,” in the March 2005 issue of the NCSS publication, Social Education.

Barbara Hairfield, TOP FELLOW 2001, South Carolina, is working with the Military University of South Carolina on developing a middle level teacher education program. She continues to serve on her dis-trict’s superintendent’s advisory cabinet and with the SC Council for the Social Studies Executive Committee.

Sarah Herzog, TOP FELLOW 2004, Minnesota, presented at the Minnesota Social Studies Council annual conference.

Sue Husiak, TOP FELLOW 2002 & 2003, Michigan, is a recipient of a Fulbright Hays Travel Seminar to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands for the summer 2005.

Lisa Iverson, TOP Fellow 2004, Oregon, will present at the Oregon Geographic Alliance and this summer will participate in the NEH China and Islamic World Summer Seminar at Columbia University.

Bev Lucas, TOP FELLOW 2002, Kansas, is now the proud grandmother of a beautiful granddaughter.

Jack McAndres, TOP FELLOW 2004, New York, impressed with Germany, especially Dresden, attended the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition on Renaissance Splendors of Dresden Court. He said it brought back wonderful memories of Dresden.

Lori Megivern, TOP FELLOW 2003, New York, in November earned her National Boards Teaching Certificate, and in March, she received the 2004 Louis E. Yavner Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching about the Holocaust. In July, she is moving to Santa Cruz, Bolivia to begin teach-ing at the Santa Cruz Cooperative School for two years.

Betty Musilek, TOP FELLOW 2003, South Dakota, traveled to Central Europe, Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. While in Croatia she did mission work with Emmanuel House aiding in the recovery of young drug addicts. Additional travels took her to Florida, California, and Cancun. She is beginning her new career as a tour director.

Kim O’Neil, TOP FELLOW 2003, New York, presented at the NCSS 2004 Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD this year. She was also the recipient of the 100,000th TOP lesson plan.

Carol Poole, TOP FELLOW 2001, South Carolina, retired, continues her work with social studies as an independent consultant on best practices in social studies, present-ing in districts throughout South Carolina. In addition, she is working with the SC Department of Education on a new stan-dards implementation web site.

Alan Ramos, TOP FELLOW 2004, Florida, on April 1, 2005 will become a Director of Public Education (Independent Education-Public Choice) at the Florida Department of Education.

Lynn Stover TOP FELLOW 2004, Virginia, was awarded one of sixteen national NASDAQ Economic Education Awards. Her unit, Magic: Linking Literature to Economics, was named a southeastern regional semifinalist with a $1000 award. In her unit students learned to apply eco-nomic concepts through classic and popular works of fantasy.

News from “TOP” FellowsRECENT ACTIVITIES OF PAST PARTICIPANTS OF THE STUDY/TRAVEL SEMINARS TO GERMANY

A 2004 TOP Fellow meets with students at a high school near Lake Constance.

Germany and the United States of America are linked by close and, in many ways, special ties. Particularly since the end of World War II, a vital and steadfast friendship has developed between the two countries. This friendship is founded on a solid basis of common history and common beliefs, as well as common cultural norms and values. Over the years, we have also had, on occasion, a number of tiffs, even clashes. Yet, to this very day, there is far more that unites us than divides us.

We stand on common ground. The key sentence in the American Declaration of Independence and the first article of Germany’s Basic Law provide a persuasive illustration of this:

“All men are created equal,” wrote the Founding Fathers, “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among these life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The same truth is reflected in the German Basic Law: “Human dig-nity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority.”

Respect for fundamental and human rights is thus an essential and irrevocable element of our two constitutions, part and parcel of our national self-perception and the guideline for all our political endeavors.

We Germans will never forget the generous help and support the United States offered us for the reconstruction of

our country following World War II, and for overcoming the parti-tion of Germany. In 1945, our country was defeated, economically ruined and, above all, morally bankrupt. It was the Americans who helped us out of our misery. The life-

saving importance of the Marshall Plan and the Berlin Airlift will forever live in Germany’s collective memory.

If, since then, Germany has found its place in a peaceful, prosperous and secure Europe, this is due in no small measure to America’s friendship, farsightedness and political resolve.

During the decades of the Cold War, the Allies guaranteed the freedom of West Berlin and West Germany. It is also an indisputable historical fact that, when the Wall came down in 1989, Germany would not have been able to regain its unity in freedom, or at least not so speedily, had it not been for

the Americans and, especially, the dogged determination of President George Bush.

Yet it is not only our history that bears witness to the special character of the German-American relationship. It was, and indeed still is, cultural affinity that has brought us close. After 1945, the German public formed a highly positive image of the United States. In my view, this was due not so much to America’s political, military or economic strength but, first and foremost, to its influence as a nation of culture. The American way of life has left an indelible imprint on Germany. It has changed and enriched the German way of life. Shared experience during the past 60 years has led Jürgen Habermas, one of our eminent philosophers, to claim that, culturally as well politically, there was no viable alternative to anchoring Germany firmly in the West.

Just a few weeks ago, Americans and Germans once again commemorated the barbaric attacks of September 11 on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. International terrorism remains by far the most serious threat to security and stability in the world. Unfortunately, the fight against terrorism is far from over.

If we do not want to lose it, we must continue to give top priority to Afghanistan and developments in the Middle East. In Afghanistan, once a haven and a logistical base for interna-tional terrorism, Germany has made a special commitment. German soldiers continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with American troops in the framework of Operation Enduring Freedom. Our pledge to assume international responsibility on an unprecedented scale will stand far beyond the present day.

After four decades of Cold War and limited German sov-ereignty, this pledge undoubtedly marks a turning point. To underline its significance, I called for a vote of confidence by the German Parliament, linking my own political future to a commitment that Germany would live up to its international obligations as a united and sovereign country and as an equal partner with all the rights and obligations this entails.

Only if we work together can we win the peace in Afghanistan. Only if we work together can we prevent this country from relapsing into fundamentalist tyranny or falling prey to regional warlords. And only if we work together will we succeed in convincing the Afghan people and the entire international community that they stand to benefit from renouncing terrorism and returning to the family of nations.

Despite many areas of congruence and consensus, Germany and the United States do occasionally have differ-

Germans and Americans There Is More That Unites Us Than Divides Us

By German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder

6 MODERNGERMANYUPDATE

Germany has found its place in a peaceful, prosperous and secure

Europe, this is due in no small measure to America’s

friendship, farsightedness and political resolve.

MODERNGERMANYUPDATE 7

ences of opinion. Thus Germany, along with other nations, did not support the war in Iraq. The German government and the American administration disagreed on how best to deal with Saddam Hussein’s regime.

That is now water under the bridge. Today, we have a common interest in stabi-lizing a free and peaceful Iraq, in building democratic institutions there and in restoring full sovereignty to the Iraqis. The United Nations must play a central role in this pro-cess. Germany is strongly committed to this endeavor and will continue to be so. In coor-dination with our partners, we have assumed responsibility for training Iraqi police officers in the United Arab Emirates.

We are also willing to train Iraqi sol-diers in the Emirates; for example, engineers to build roads and bridges. Furthermore, I have stressed time and again that Germany would like the Paris Club to grant substantial debt remission to Iraq.

Due to Germany’s history and geogra-phy, its international policy must primarily be a policy both in Europe and for Europe. It is my deep conviction that this will also ben-efit the German-American partnership.

Our commitment to European integra-tion and to the enlargement of the European Union will have a positive impact not only on our continent.

A stable and prosperous Europe that enjoys freedom and democracy is vital for resolving or avoiding conflicts in neighboring regions.

Beginning with Harry S. Truman, all American presidents have supported and encouraged European integration. This was — and remains — a wise policy, for a strong and united Europe is also in the interest of the United States.

Germany, as an influential European power and the country with the largest

economy in the European Union, knows from its recent history that cooperation and integration are the preconditions of security and prosperity. That is why I am such a strong advocate of a common European for-eign and security policy.

It is not merely to satisfy Henry Kissinger’s longstanding call for a single European phone number — I work for it because I have long felt that in our transatlan-tic partnership there is not too much America, but too little Europe. A common European foreign and security policy certainly does not aim at decoupling Europe from the United States. On the contrary: I would like to see a stronger European pillar in the Atlantic alli-ance. Progress in the European Security and Defense Policy is in our mutual interest.

It will shore up the transatlantic part-nership because it will render our alliance more efficient and more capable of taking action. One reason we need a strong Europe is to flank and buttress U.S. efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.

This region is central to global security. Whether or not we can prevent a worldwide clash of civilizations depends on the success or failure of the Arab world to embark upon modernization and grant its peoples demo-cratic participation both in economic pros-perity and in political decision-making. In this context, we must not neglect the ongo-ing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

There is no responsible alternative to continuing the peace process on the basis of the Road Map, which demands from both sides concessions and the willingness to seek a political solution.

The major international challenges — such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the threat emanating from failing states, the spread of epidemics and the underdevelopment of many parts of the world — can only be mastered if we all work together. In order to succeed, we need to strengthen both multilateralism and the United Nations.

Only in this way can we achieve our common transatlantic goals of freedom, democracy and human rights, as well as free trade, shared prosperity and the sustainable development of all nations.

Chancellor Schroeder meets with American social studies teach-ers in Berlin, July 2004.

First German Pope in 500 Years

German leaders welcomed the election on April 19 of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new pope. Gerhard Schröder called it a great joy and a great honor that the new pope is from Germany. “I very, very warmly congrat-ulate him in the name of the Federal Government and all citizens of his native country Germany,” Schröder said before reporters in Berlin. Schröder also said he looked forward to welcom-ing the new pope at World Youth Day to be held in Cologne later this year. Edmund Stoiber, the Minister President of Ratzinger’s home state of Bavaria, called his election as pope a historic and singular day for Bavaria and all of Germany.

Ratzinger was born in Traunstein, Bavaria on April 16, 1927. He stud-ied classical languages, and in 1939, entered the minor seminary in Traunstein. But war interfered with his studies, and in 1943, he was drafted at age 16 into the German anti-aircraft corps. Ratzinger then trained in the German infantry, but an illness pre-cluded him from the usual rigors of military duty. As the Allied front drew closer to his post in 1945, he escaped and returned to his family’s home in Traunstein, just as American troops established their headquarters in the Ratzinger household. As a German soldier, he was confined to a prison of war camp but was released a few months later at the end of the War in summer 1945.

He re-entered the seminary, along with his brother Georg, in November of 1945 and was ordained a priest in 1951 in Freising, going on to become a leading professor of theology in Munich. In 1977, he was named Archbishop of Munich and Freising and then elevated to Cardinal. Pope John Paul II appointed him head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1981, and in 2002 Ratzinger was elected Dean of the College of Cardinals. At the Vatican, Ratzinger was a close aide of Pope John Paul II. Ratzinger has chosen the name Benedict XVI.

– German Inform and Ignatius Insight

8 MODERNGERMANYUPDATE

HOW MUCH DOES THE PROGRAM COST? Nothing! All expenses are paid by the Transatlantic Outreach Program and its sponsors. This includes the cost of flying from your nearest major airport to Atlanta and back (if you live outside a 200-mile radius from Atlanta), the cost of a hotel room in Atlanta on the night prior to departing to Germany, the cost of flying from Atlanta to Germany and back,

all study-tour-related transportation within Germany, all lodging in Germany, all meals in Germany, and all associ-ated fees such as museum admission, etc. The program does not pay for expenses incurred during your free time. These expenses include but are not limited to shopping and personal transportation fees to bars, clubs, etc. The

program does not pay for incidental hotel costs (long distance fees, Pay-Per-View, laundry services, etc.). All participants will have their own hotel room.

DOES AN APPLICANT HAVE TO SPEAK THE GERMAN LANGUAGE? No, though experience speaking the language is always appreciated.

WHO MAY APPLY? K-12 social studies educators, social studies methods professors, and social studies curricu-lum coordinators. Non social studies disciplines are not considered at this time.

WHAT IS THE CATCH? This is a study tour. We ask that all participants come willing to participate, ask questions, and absorb a lot of information during a very fun, yet intense two weeks. Upon returning from Germany, we also ask that you write a lesson plan and conduct a minimum of two workshops on Teaching Modern Germany at the local, state, regional, or national level.

Arkansas Mary JeffriesCalifornia Manuel Lopez JoAnn Mart Paul McDermottColorado Becky ZenthoeferDelaware Jason Jeandell Tara Napolski Amy VitcuskyFlorida Elyn Ayers Victor Buresch Lorraine Jenkins Barbara Maurer Sharon PharesGeorgia John Barney Jason Buelterman Judy Butler Jennifer Dawson Whitt Jones Mary Mitchell Michael Nentwich Wood PowellIdaho Troy Hamilton Peter Kavouras Holly MorrisIndiana Kay Bale Lila Doma Manfred Fochtmann Donovan RobinsonIowa Lois CrowleyKentucky Stephanie GandyLouisiana Jamie StaubMaine Robert Boggs Connie Manter Faith VautourMichigan Beverly Blamer James Goodspeed Sharon Goralewski Melvin Miller Maxine Schneider Karen Todorov Carolyn Wetzler Linda Williams Tannille WinstonMinnesota Barton Becker Darrel Collins Michael Eckerman Laurel PanserMississippi Kimberly Este Donna Van Slyke Wilma Wilson Nebraska Robert Kerr Linda Ray Larry StarrNevada Jesus Garcia

New Hampshire James ChoquetteNew Jersey Joseph Iannacone Barbara SpillaneNew York Kathleen Fancher Krista Hughes Robert Lammly Kim O’Neil Shirley Riefenhauser Deborah WolkenbergNorth Carolina Kimberly Ball Robert Escamilla Laura Huffman Christopher McKay Chantelle SwangerOhio Joy PainterOklahoma Sandra Elliott Marie Harris Melinda ParksRhode Island James Betres William MorrisSouth Carolina Amy Bartholomew Kelly Bolen Jane Brailsford James Bryan Brandi Cook Barbara Hairfield Elizabeth Hopkins Anne Justice Sarah Maney Cheryl Morrison Patricia Shealy Tara Sides Deborah WillinghamTennessee Karon LeCompteTexas Steve Antley Elisabeth Bauchman Dora Geiger Carol Hyatt Debra Kelly Matthew Nelson Ingrid Rothe Nicole Vickerman Audree WoodVirginia Margaret Baldwin Elva Card Keith Collins Nancy Ford James Novak Margaret Shrader Eunice Smith Michael SmithWashington Nelda Brangwin Rosemary Conroy William Linser Christy RobertsonWisconsin John GunnellWyoming Amy Roberts(31 states represented!)

TOP 2005 Travelers APPLY TO TRAVEL TO GERMANY IN 2006!

The first 2004 group poses for a photo during dinner. The second 2004 group poses for a photo in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

Members of the second 2004 group pose for a photo while on a train somewhere between Frankfurt and the Black Forest.

Two 2004 travelers pose for a photo in front of the Apolda city brewery.

MODERNGERMANYUPDATE 9

DIRECTIONS: Please carefully read the entire application before filling out the form below. Fill out this form as neatly and completely as possible. Use this form as your cover sheet and attach requirements 1 through 4 listed below. You may attach additional documentation you feel would enhance your chances of being selected. Please type or print.

PARTICIPANT NAME: __________________________________________________________________________________________ Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss First Name Last Name SCHOOL: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

School Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Street

___________________________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip Code

School Telephone: (_________)_______________________________ School FAX: (_________)_____________________________

TEACHING ASSIGNMENT: ________________________________________________________________________________________ [specify course title, grade level, etc.]

Home Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Street

____________________________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip Code

Home Telephone: (_________)_______________________________ Home FAX: (_________)_____________________________

E-Mail Address you check regularly (IMPORTANT): __________________________________________________________________

A. CHECK ALL THAT APPLY

I am a social studies educator who teaches a grade level/course with ample opportunities to address Modern Germany.

I am a social studies educator who has curriculum supervision/development responsibilities.

B. In how many study/travel programs have you participated during the past four years? C. Have you participated in a study/travel program to Germany within the past four years? Yes No

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (Read Carefully)

1. Please attach an official letter from your supervisor verifying that you teach or supervise social studies at the grade level indicated and that the same assignment next school year is likely. (This program is presently designed for social studies educators only. Fluency in the German language is NOT a requirement.)

2. Please attach a copy of your resume documenting your contributions to social studies education beyond the classroom. Specifically address (1) specific workshops you’ve conducted, and (2) specific publications (lesson plans, district curriculum guides, etc.) you’ve published.

3. Please attach an essay description of how, upon return from the study/travel seminar, you plan to share what you learn about mod-ern Germany with other educators in your state. Describe your commitment and ability to lead teacher workshops and write lesson plans about modern Germany.

4. Please attach a paragraph describing the topic(s) you would like to learn more about while in Germany in order to prepare a lesson plan on post-unification Germany for students.

NOTE: Applications will be accepted from individuals in all 50 states. Team applications (married and unmarried couples, family members, etc.) are discouraged and will only be considered if such team members apply to travel to Germany during different time periods. Travel groups will be formed based on grade level taught, area of interest, job type and other factors to ensure a productive team. Priority will be given to teachers in the Goethe teacher network who have conducted workshops in the past.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APPLICATION PACKET MUST BE RECEIVED, NOT POSTMARKED, BY FEBRUARY 1, 2006.

Send completed application package to: Wood Powell c/o Goethe-Institut Atlanta

Colony Square, Plaza Level, 1197 Peachtree Street, NEAtlanta, GA 30361-2401

2006 APPLICATION FORM FOR PARTICIPATION IN A STUDY/TRAVEL SEMINAR IN GERMANY

DATES FOR STUDY TRIPS SUMMER 2006 (Check all dates for which you are available for travel.)

DEPART: JUNE 9 - RETURN: JUNE 24 DEPART: JUNE 23 - RETURN: JULY 8 DEPART: JULY 7 - RETURN: JULY 22 DEPART: JULY 21 - RETURN: AUG. 5

ATLANTAATLANTA

UPCOMING CONFERENCESFall 2005SOUTH CAROLINA COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIESColumbia, SCSeptember 30 – October 1, 2005

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATIONBirmingham, AL October 12 – 15, 2005

FLORIDA COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIESDaytona Beach, FLOctober 14 – 15, 2005

GEORGIA COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIESAthens, GAOctober 20 – 21, 2005

TEXAS COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIESGalveston, TX October 28 – 30, 2005

VIRGINIA COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIESRoanoke, VA November 4- 5, 2005

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIESKansas City, MSNovember 17 – 20, 2005

If you would like to invite the Transatlantic Outreach Program to your state or regional conference, please e-mail a “Call for Proposals” form to top@atlanta.goethe.org or send to the following address:

Attn: Wood PowellGoethe-Institut Atlanta1197 Peachtree St. NEAtlanta, GA 30361

A KID LIKE ME ACROSS THE SEA

The Life of a German Child is

designed for the primary/ele-

mentary classroom. The series

of lessons draws heavily on

interpretation of photographs,

working with maps, creat-

ing timelines, charts, graphs, and other process

skills. The topics of physical and cultural geogra-

phy, meeting basic needs, political symbols, and

people are addressed in a comparative context

with the United States.

WELCOME TO GERMANY

is designed for middle school

classrooms. The lessons in the

package correlate to the study

of world cultures (perspective

taking and symbols), physical

and cultural geography, and

state and national government. The materials

focus on national studies from a comparative

United States/Germany approach.

GERMANY IN EUROPE

Enduring Issues is designed

for middle and secondary

classrooms. Lessons focus

on issues such as European

Union membership and gov-

ernance, multiculturism, the

euro currency, and the environment.

GERMANY TODAY

is designed for the high

school classroom. The lessons

in this instruction kit focus

on comparative economic

systems, the five themes of

geography, the structure of

government (including case studies of the health

care system and the federal budget), leisure

activities, the role of the press in Germany, and

the legacy of the Holocaust.

Leading Workshops on Modern Germany

The Goethe-Institut has been providing lesson plans to educators since 1990. Since 2000, many of the most prolific workshop leaders have been given priority consideration as participants in the summer study/travel seminars to Germany. Enhance your chances for selection by conducting workshops using the Workshop Leaders’ Manual and instructional materials listed on the order form on the facing page.

Munich, GermanySPATENHAUS

12 Residenzstrsse

Frankfurt, GermanyMAINGAUHotel Maingau38-40

Schifferstrassewww.maingau.de

BerlinLUTTER & WEGNER56 Charlottenstrassewww.lutter-und-wegner.de

New YorkHEIDELBERG1648 Second Avenue

MilwaukeeKARL RATZSCH’S32 East Mason Streetwww.karlratzsch.com

DetroitJACOBY’S624 Brush Street

ChicagoTHE BERGHOFF17 West Adams Streetwww.berghoff.com

MinneapolisBLACK FOREST INNOne East 26th Streetwww.blackforestinnmpls.com

Great German Restaurants WorldwideEnjoy German cuisine, both in Germany and in the United States! The following restau-

rants, featuring German cuisine, were listed in the October 2004 issue of Delta Air Lines’ “Sky” magazine.

10 MODERNGERMANYUPDATE

MATERIALS REQUEST[FOR CONDUCTING WORKSHOPS]

I AM PLANNING A WORKSHOP ON TEACHING MODERN GERMANY AND REQUEST THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS. PLEASE WRITE THE NUMBER OF COPIES NEEDED ON THE LINE BEFORE EACH PUBLICATION.

IN ORDER TO FURNISH YOU WITH THE MATERIALS REQUESTED ABOVE, PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

1. The precise date of your workshop: _____/_____/_____ 2. Projected number of participants: _______ month date year

3. Target Group: 4. Time Frame:

Elementary Teachers Half day

Middle Grades Teachers Full day

Secondary Teachers Other: _______ hrs.

The exact shipping address with name of person responsible for receiving the material. (Please note: UPS WILL NOT SHIP TO A POST OFFICE BOX. Please provide a street address.)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

School/Institution: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Street Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________________ State: __________ Zip Code: ________________________________

Home Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________________ State: __________ Zip Code: ________________________________

Telephone: School (______) __________________________________ Home (______) __________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Send this Order Form to: Goethe-Institut Atlanta, Transatlantic Outreach Program Attn.: Wood Powell

Colony Square, Plaza Level, 1197 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30361-2401

Tel.: (404) 892-2388 Fax: (404) 892-3832 E-mail: top@atlanta.goethe.org

_____ A Kid Like Me Across the Sea (elementary)

_____ Welcome to Germany (middle)

_____ Germany Today (secondary)

_____ Germany in Europe (middle & secondary)

_____ Maps of Germany, political and physical (K-12)

_____ Map of Europe, political (K-12)

_____ Cultural Collage poster with key (K-12)

_____ Germany Since 1945: A Focus on Berlin (VHS) with lessons (5-12)

_____ Correlation Charts (K-12)

_____ Workshop Leader’s Manual (for training personnel only, K-12)

MODERNGERMANYUPDATE 11

ATLANTA

Colony SquarePlaza Level1197 Peachtree Street, NEAtlanta, GA 30361-2401

In this issue:1 German Ambassador Gives Keynote Speech 1 New Web Site2 Most Liveable City2 Fight Against Terror3 Recent Workshops3 Rebuilding a Part of History4 A Year of Anniversaries5 News from “TOP” Fellows6 Germans and Americans 7 German Pope8 TOP 2005 Travelers9 2006 Study/Travel Application10 Workshops10 Upcoming Conferences11 Materials Request

Modern Germany Updatenow online at:http://www.goethe.de/top

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDAtlanta, GA

Permit No. 4009

(PLEASE PRINT)

Name: _________________________________________________________________

School: _________________________________________________________________

School Address: ________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

School Telephone: (_____)________________ School FAX: (_____)_________________

Home Address: __________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Home Telephone: (_____)________________ Home FAX: (_____)__________________

E-Mail Address: ___________________________________________________________

I would like to receive by U.S. mail OR I would like to receive by e-mail

Please remove me from your mailing list.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY ON THIS MAILING LIST, PLEASE DO NOT SUBSCRIBE AGAIN, EXCEPT TO INFORM US OF ADDRESS CHANGES.

COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTION TO MODERN GERMANY UPDATE

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER REGULARLY AND YOU ARE NOT ALREADY ON THE MAILING LIST PLEASE COM-PLETE THIS FORM AND RETURN IT TO:

Goethe-Institut AtlantaTransatlantic Outreach ProgramColony Square, Plaza Level1197 Peachtree Street, NEAtlanta, GA 30361-2401Or send an e-mail request to:top@atlanta.goethe.orgOr fax to: (404) 892-3832

ATLANTA