Barbara Drescher

German Studies

Project Description:

German students created news videos that emphasize the environmental efforts of a German-speaking country in comparison with current efforts to combat climate change in the US. Students practiced their language proficiency at the advanced level and applied communication strategies used in German-language news reporting. In addition, students honed their intercultural communication skills which target cultural knowledge and understanding used to bridge or translate cultural views and practices to an uninitiated audience. The videos cover a number of topics, such as federal regulations that put a price on CO2 emissions, regulations governing mobility, space, as well as air pollution in city and intercity traffic and infrastructure, regulations regarding electronic waste, as well as biodiversity. The videos cover examples from Germany and Austria and aim to highlight environmental solutions, global connections, and the urgency of intercultural collaboration and cooperation in order to bring the current climate crisis to the attention of a wider audience.

Link to Online Content:

Bella Braxton: Biodiversität in Deutschland (Biodiversity in Germany)

Lyrik Courtney: Luftverschmutzung in Graz (Air Pollution in Graz, Austria)

Stella John: CO2 Emissionen in Deutschland (CO2 Emissions in Germany)

Erin Maley: Energiewende in Deutschland: Verkehr (Energy Policies in Germany: Traffic)

Nick Williams: Elektroschrott in Deutschland (Electronic Waste in Germany)