The Auburn community is about to receive a crash course in what it means to be German.
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures will be hosting a week of campus events to celebrate German culture Sunday through Oct. 22.
"The Do Deutsch event will help make Auburn students aware of other cultures," said Kelly Walters, senior in German language education. "Germany is so much more than just Hitler and World War II. It has a lot to offer our generation, and I think that college students would love to learn more about it."
Traci O'Brien, assistant professor of German, said she and her colleagues had to create a plan of action for the week and submit an application to participate in this national event.
"Auburn was one of 50 universities chosen to host Do Deutsch," O'Brien said. "Since this program offers grant monies funded by Germany's federal government, we had to gather and come up with ways to include the entire University's community, not just the small portion that is taking German classes."
O'Brien said the week will have competitive and noncompetitive events open to all students.
"There will be a variety of contests in the categories of poetry and song writing, speech and essay writing, visual art and film," she said.
O'Brien said she encourages students who are not competing to come, too.
"We want students to come support their fellow students, and we plan to reward them for this effort," she said. "We're going to have free give-away items, such as T-shirts, candy, pens and binders."
O'Brien said the grand prize on the national level of competition will be an all-expenses-paid trip to Berlin sponsored by the German embassy.
Walters said in addition to the variety of German media, Do Deutsch will also be hosting a coffee and cake sale Monday called "Kaffe und Kuchen" and an Oktoberfest celebration at the Auburn Ale House Oct. 20.
"These social events will help students experience what German youth gets to partake in on a daily basis," O'Brien said.
O'Brien said all the week's activities will be free except the bake sale, which requires a $1 donation. Also, having a knowledge of the German language is not necessary to enjoy and participate in Do Deutsch.
"All the events are in English so that everyone can participate," Walters said.
Walters said she expects Auburn students to thoroughly enjoy this event not only because of the competitions and giveaways, but also because it can help them learn more about their German heritage.
"I bet that some students here actually have a German background," Walters said. "Do Deutsch will help them learn about what goes on in Germany and its history."
Ritchie said she believes Do Deutsch will be a great way for students to learn about a different culture.
"I'm most looking forward to the film portion of the week," said Katie Ritchie, sophomore in nutrition. "I've been taking German for six years counting my high school classes, and I've learned that watching foreign films is a great way to learn about a nation's culture."
O'Brien said she hopes students will walk away with a desire to learn more about Germany.
"In addition to the cultural exposure, this will be a great way for students to get involved in something they're interested in with other students," O'Brien said. "Through a love of one thing in particular you can meet people you may not have met otherwise."
For more information contact O'Brien at tso0001@auburn.edu or visit the event's webpage at www.cla.auburn/edu/forlangs/documents/dodeutsch.pdf or www.dodeutsch.com.
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