Virtual workshop on translating German literature with Oxford lecturer gathered FGCU and Florida students | | An audience of students, faculty, and staff was joined online by Dr. Reinier van Straten, University of Oxford lecturer who teaches German and Dutch at Oxford and University College London. | |
A virtual workshop on translating German literature held on June 17 gathered students from across Florida. This was the fourth in an innovative series that has connected FGCU students, faculty, and staff to authors and scholars internationally through collaborative translation.
Students from FGCU and beyond engaged in this event hosted on Zoom, in partnership with FGCU's Honors College, Mangrove Review, FGCU Creative Writing Club, and The Sarasota School.
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The series has so far comprised Spanish, Haitian Creole, Kurdish, and now German, creating a dynamic bridge between languages and cultures through the practice of lively, interactive translation work.
Participants were joined online by Dr. Reinier van Straten from the University of Oxford, who guided them through a highly interactive, collaborative translation of a German literary text.
| Dr. van Straten guided attendees through a collaborative translation of the German literary text. | Draft translation of the opening sentences of Kafka's "Der Heizer" (a short story/unfinished novel): | | | |
Als der siebzehnjährige Karl Roßmann, der von seinen armen Eltern nach Amerika geschickt worden war, weil ihn ein Dienstmädchen verführt und ein Kind von ihm bekommen hatte, in dem schon langsam gewordenen Schiff in den Hafen von Newyork einfuhr, erblickte er die schon längst beobachtete Statue der Freiheitsgöttin wie in einem plötzlich stärker gewordenen Sonnenlicht. Ihr Arm mit dem Schwert ragte wie neuerdings empor und um ihre Gestalt wehten die freien Lüfte.
(When) the 17-year-old Karl Rossmann was sent by his poor parents to America because he got a seductive serving girl / maid pregnant with child (lit. got a child from him). In the ship that has become slow in the harbor of New York / Newyork, he saw / looks at the beautiful / attention-grabbing Statue of the Freedom Goddess watched for a long time, as if in a sunlight that had suddenly become stronger. Her arm newly reaching out with its sword (out)reaching out like freshly / recently / afresh / up?raised / outstretched like recently / like something new, guidance / welcome / beckoning, and around her figure/character blew the free airs / the wind was blowing through her figure/shape.
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Collaborative translation
Participants considered the following characteristics and problems:
*the German text comprises two very long sentences
*perspective is framed and limited by the porthole
*How idiomatic is the original text? Shall we domesticate or defamiliarize? Invoke the Classical world?
*"poor" in both languages can be figurative or literal
*Are Liberty and Freedom the same thing? (Latinate vs Germanic roots?)
The workshop welcomed students with no prior knowledge of German, emphasizing the universal accessibility of this literary exploration.
Through this live and engaging collaboration, participants experienced literature from the inside, working in two languages simultaneously to uncover the rich layers of meaning within the German text.
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This immersive approach to translation allowed participants to discover how a single work can resonate differently across linguistic and cultural boundaries, fostering deeper appreciation for both the original text and the creative process of translation itself.
These workshops continue FGCU's commitment to connecting students, faculty, and staff with international scholars and expanding global literary perspectives through hands-on learning experiences.
Stay tuned for future translation workshops to participate with students from across Florida and the U.S. in highly interactive, collaborative translations of literary texts.
| Faculty Spotlight. Are you a FGCU faculty member who has achieved a recent milestone or an accolade? Email us: academicaffairs@fgcu.edu. | | | Check out past editions of the Academic Affairs newsletter: Academic Affairs Events | | Does this give you useful Academic Affairs news? (1 sec. click) | | | | Library Closure on July 7 | | |
The Wilson G. Bradshaw Library will be closed Monday, July 7, due to a scheduled power outage. Please note that because the university observes the Independence Day holiday (July 4), the library will close at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3, and reopen at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 8.
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University Library staff are working remotely and can be contacted via “ASK US”, email and Microsoft Teams
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Access the Help Desk today in Ben Hill Griffin Hall, Computer Lab 262, or call (239) 590-1188 or email helpdesk@fgcu.edu
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The Lucas Center staff can be reached via email and Teams
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Access the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in Academic Building 9, Room 138
For more information on the library services that will be available during the closure, refer to Interim Provost Tony Barringer’s message from June 30.
| | Scholarly Innovation & Student Research (SISR) | | |
WiSER Program Call for Proposals
SISR invites faculty to submit applications for a WiSER Research Assistant.
The WiSER (Work in Scholarly Experiences & Research) program enables faculty to hire student research assistants for 10 hours per week for Fall and Spring semesters.
WiSER provides students with opportunities to work as paid research assistants to help with faculty research. The program was created to offer high-impact learning experiences to students and to give faculty a chance to mentor future scholars and share best professional practices.
| | The call will be active all summer with a priority deadline of August 1st, 2025. | | Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) | | |
Notice of Hanover Grant Academy 2025-2026
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (OSRP) is soliciting nominations for the Hanover Grant Academy. The goal is for eight faculty to undergo an intensive proposal development plan over a one-year time frame.
The Academy consists of approximately 4-6 in-person meetings during the year and one-on-one meetings with the Hanover experts. The requested information for application is listed below. A key factor in selection will be the goal of submitting a proposal for extramural funding.
Hanover will provide grantsmanship training, proposal critique, guidance on project and alignment with grant opportunities, and proposal revision assistance. Faculty selected are expected to submit a proposal for extramural funding at the completion of the grant academy.
Faculty are permitted to apply for an additional round of intensive proposal development assistance provided an application for extramural funding was submitted during their previous participation.
The deadline is September 15, 2025, by 5 PM. Please submit the application as a single pdf to Dr. Rosemary Higgins (rhiggins@fgcu.edu). Questions can be referred to Dr. Higgins.
FGCU continues to use our negotiated Federal Rate Agreement
The indirect rates continue to be 43% for on-campus activities and 19% for off-campus activities. ORSP staff will work with faculty to ensure proper rates are applied.
Please reach out to ORSP if you have questions.
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We invite you to join us for the Lucas Center Dialogues on Culture & Community. Sessions are open to faculty, staff, and students who are interested in thinking together about our individual and collective roles in shaping our community and contributing to the culture of FGCU.
We encourage and welcome participation from members of all of these groups, and we hope you will bring a friend or student and end your month in dialogue with engaged and committed colleagues.
Click here for more information on the Dialogues on Culture and Community sessions.
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THIS SUMMER! FGCU ICE CREAM
Student Plaza
Wednesdays & Thursdays | 11AM-2PM
Payment Options: Credit Cards & Mobile Tap Payments (Apple Pay)
Why Visit Us? Your purchase supports student entrepreneurs gaining real-world business experience in production, marketing, customer service, and leadership.
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About the Creamery
FGCU's student-operated ice cream business offers a unique, hands-on learning experience that empowers students to develop practical skills in all aspects of entrepreneurship.
From sourcing ingredients and overseeing production to crafting marketing strategies and delivering exceptional customer service, students gain firsthand knowledge of managing a business.
This experience builds expertise in leadership, financial management, teamwork, and innovation while instilling a strong sense of accountability and ownership.
It’s more than just a business lesson—it’s about applying those lessons in a real-world setting, building confidence, and preparing for future success.
| | OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENTS | | |
Lutgert College of Business
Center for Supply Chain Excellence
FOUR (4) NEW CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Pursuing a certificate at Florida Gulf Coast University is a powerful move to advance your career, not just a resume booster.
Our (4) four new Graduate certificates are thoughtfully crafted to equip you with high-demand skills, enhance your professional credibility and support your continued growth.
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GETTING STARTED
Applicants must submit an application online per the individual program’s instructions below.
Please contact Graduate Admissions at 239-745-GRAD or graduate@fgcu.edu for additional information about the application process.
Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants should check with the program for the most up-to-date admission requirements before starting the application process.
Submit an FGCU Graduate Admissions Application and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
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Submission requests must be sent to academicaffairs@fgcu.edu by end of business on the Wednesday of the prior week. Submissions received after this deadline will not be shared until the following newsletter.
Please send attachments as either a .PNG or .JPEG file 250kb or less.
.PDFs are NOT accepted.
| | Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and content expressed in these programs, events, and materials are those of the author(s)/presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views, positions, or endorsements of Florida Gulf Coast University's Academic Affairs Division. | | | | |
