The category of diversity, equity and inclusion is infused into the other sections. We are convinced that progress in this area cannot be achieved separate from the others. Because of its long history of persecution of minorities, suppression of women, and a long struggle for Human Rights, German history and culture is a prime subject for DEI topics. In fact, Holocaust survivor writing (Heckner), genocides in comparative perspectives (Heckner), changes in Germany’s post-war constitution and self-identity that have fostered a more inclusive society (Ehrstine) and the Nazi persecution of the Jewish minority in the Netherlands (Kumpf Baele) are core topics of our most attractive courses. Expertise in Germany’s Muslim minorities, refugees and transnational writing (covered until 2018 by former faculty member Mohammad) is currently lacking. Courses on the history and cultural representation of contraception (Maierhofer) and the representation of Disabilities (Maierhofer) originated as course offerings to WLLC and are now administered in Global Health Studies. Discussion of women’s writing and creativity is a standard part of courses. The respective faculty members do research in these areas among other fields. 3 faculty members have developed and offer courses in the GE category DEI (four courses which are regularly offered), that is nearly half of the fulltime teaching body.

DEI in faculty composition:

• There are more female than male faculty members. This is likely not a sign of gender equity but the result of the trend that men tend to pursue higher-paying careers including administration in academics.
• At least two of the 4 tenured faculty members are open about being former first-generation students and have joined the CLAS-wide mentoring efforts for first-generation students. The current Visiting Assistant Professor is Latino, a very rare case in German Studies, and we hope to recruit him for a long-term position.

All our language courses are small, student-centered, and teach students about Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today as diverse and inclusive societies. Student interaction fosters an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for each other.

Action Items:

• Continue to offer the GE Diversity and Inclusion courses while avoiding burnout of instructors.
• Watch budget and semester hour developments: Because of their small class size, DEI courses may have to be offset by courses with potentially larger enrollment
• Submit at least one more new course for DEI.
• Continue to advocate for a representation of minorities among the tenure-track and Instructional track faculty.
• Advocate for additional faculty with expertise in (Muslim) minorities, migration, and transnational writing
• Expand on CLAS efforts in mentoring first-generation students and students from rural areas.
• Advertise DEI topics in the curriculum better.
• Advocate for competitive salaries and easing of compression issues (the recommended salary for a tenure-track position is higher than the salaries of our advanced associate professors).

Metrics:

• Survey of students.
• Retention of current minority VAP.
• Course offerings in GE DI.

Goal

Expand current collaborations.

Continue what we are already doing very well: Because of its small size, German has a strong record of collaborating with other units in DWLLC (Linguistics and Literary Translation), the College, and the University. Faculty members have 0% and 50% appointments in Linguistics, History, International Programs, and the Global Health Studies Program.

Strategy

Participate in ongoing and new WLLC collaborations, especially a new major.

Action Items:

• Support plans for the new major in Translation by offering supporting courses.
• Participate in DWLLC application for strategic initiatives.
• Support staffing of another team-taught course in WLLC (Sustainability?).
• Find solution for courses administered by other units to count towards the home department of the instructor or seek budgeted allocation.
• Continue participation in the Academic Year in Freiburg (AYF) study abroad program and rotation of program directors.
• Build on Obermann fellowship /Faculty Institute on Engagement and the Academy: develop opportunity for students with local non-profit organizations. Initiate collaboration with UI Office of Outreach and Engagement.

Metrics:

• DWLLC proposals
• Within the next five years, UI will staff the Freiburg program at least once with a Resident Director.
• Track number of students enrolled in WLLC and team-taught courses
• Track student engagement with NGOs.
• DWLLC-wide hiring proposal

Goal

Increase the number of majors and minors.

Strategy 1

Improve information on courses and advising.

Critical Tasks:

• Improve communications with the Academic Advising Center and the DWLLC professional advisor.

Action Item:

• Work with admissions and advertise the program to newly admitted students who have completed 4 years of high school German.

Strategy 2

Enhance the curriculum and opportunities for German majors and minors.

Critical Tasks:

• Revise upper-level courses and design new ones to attract a diverse group of students.
• Increase study abroad participation to advance proficiency and excitement about the major.
• Grow high-impact opportunities, such as student ambassadors, peer tutoring, service/experiential learning, community engagement, UG research opportunities, and student-focused extracurricular organizations.
• Support the student-led German club and other extracurricular activities to enhance students’ sense of belonging.
• More actively recruit high-achieving students and mentor research and honors theses.
• Foster an inclusive learning atmosphere.
• Maintain and increase engagement with the state chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German and cultivate relationships with high school instructors, both to increase the appeal of course offerings and to increase enrollments of high school students with a strong background in German.

Action Items:

• Explore staffing possibilities for the vacant course on minorities and transnational writing.
• Explore interest in German for STEM students.
• Collaborate with Study Abroad Office and heavily recruit for short-term options for students with first- year language skills.
• Continue to explore summer course in connection with “Anne Frank” course.
• Build a network with Alumni.
• Advertise student and alumni news and success.
• Increase mentoring and recruitment of students of diverse backgrounds.
• Maintain and promote Das Blatt, the newly founded student online journal.

Strategy 3

Increase recruitment through outreach to High Schools to local and regional High Schools.

Critical Task:

• Developing a course that includes outreach opportunities between upper-level students of German at the UI and younger students in the Iowa City Community School District.

Strategy 4

Advocate for maintaining critical mass in faculty size.

Critical Task:

• Plan for continuity. A wave of retirements, namely all the tenured professors, is expected towards the end of the 5-year planning period at the latest.

Action Item:

• Advocate for tenure-track line recently vacated pre-tenure for personal reasons.

Metrics:

• By 2025, we will increase the number of majors by 30-50%. We aim to have a measurable increase in research projects and honors theses.

Goal

Produce undergraduate students whose proficiency in German and knowledge of literature and culture prepares them to be competent global citizens.

Person responsible: Director of Undergraduate Studies, in consultation with curriculum committee.

Strategy

Enhance the curriculum in other areas.

Critical Tasks:

• Maintain and grow the number of courses in the CLAS CORE (language and other areas).
• Seek solutions to staff GE courses no longer offered because of faculty loss or replace with new courses.

Action Items:

• Explore possibilities of a “Big Ideas” course with other units.
• Staff “German Nationalism” course in Spring 2021.

Goal

Continue and Grow Support of Graduate Programs.

Person responsible: Director of Graduate Studies, language program supervisors with all faculty.

Strategy

Continue strong teaching collaborations within the DWLLC.

Critical Tasks:

• Make upper-level German courses more attractive to graduate students in Literary Translation, Foreign Language Education, and Humanities for the Public Good.
• Continue to staff methods course for WLLC teaching assistants.
• Expand teaching options for students from other departments.
• Continue the excellent work of student supervision and training.

Action Items:

• Encourage instructors to offer dual syllabi (different workload and obligations for undergraduate and graduate students).
• Add to course descriptions.
• Collaborate with other DWLLC departments to assign graders or assistants for new and large GE courses in English.
• Assign and train one adjunct as assistant coordinator.

Goal

Enhance the department’s profile through scholarship and creative productions to attract high-achieving and diverse students.

Person leading: DEO

Strategy 1

Increase faculty research/creative work time.

Critical Tasks:

• A high percentage of the faculty is instructional track; advocate for research allocation for instructional-track faculty.
• Support efforts to apply for grants, both internal and external.

Strategy 2

Acknowledge teaching and research accomplishment in promotions.

Critical Tasks:

• Promotion of Associate Professors and lecturers who have been in the department for more than six years.

Strategy 3

Continue and enhance the department’s research culture in collaboration with DWLLC and other units our faculty contribute to.

Critical Tasks:

• Participation in DWLLC-wide and Obermann activities such as lectures, lunches, discussion and research groups is already strong. Continue.
• Regularly post research and creative news in appropriate venues, such as website, social media.

Metrics:

• By 2025, we will have increased the number of grant applications.
• Both current Associate Professors should be promoted by 2025 or have applied for it.
• Promotion of at least one more lecturer.
• Involvement in campus research groups will be measured.

Goal

Strengthen departmental engagement and outreach.

Person leading: Engagement and outreach coordinator.

Strategy 1

Expand the visibility of German on campus and across Iowa.

Critical Tasks:

• Continue to plan highly visible events such as the Berlin Wall exhibition and the Public Library panels on current issues.
• Strengthen outreach to the High Schools and to diverse student organizations.
• Continue to organize events with German-speaking writers on Campus and in the Grinnell Writer-in-Residence program.
• Continue to connect with teachers and students in the community school districts through the Iowa chapter of AATG.
• Continue to be present at Hawkeye visit days, international nights at elementary schools, and creating coursework with service-learning or outreach components.
• Advertise faculty-led digital Public Humanities projects.

Action Items:

• Host the Iowa AATG chapter conference at the next opportunity.
• Offer weekly German language classes to Iowa City / Coralville / North Liberty area students in grades 2-5.
• Continue to pursue “Anne Frank Sapling”.
• Name faculty liaison to Deutschclub and mentor activities such as the student publication “Das Blatt”.
• Organize an event a year with alumni.

Strategy 2

Build a community of German alumni and donors.

Critical Tasks:

• Work with Center for Advancement to cultivate German alumni and donors.
• Publish a semi-annual departmental newsletter/web news.
• Participate in One Day for Iowa and other UI fundraising campaigns.

Metrics:

• Measure increase in outreach activities.
• Keep record of attendance etc.