Women in German
Encyclopedia
The Coalition of Women in German, often known as WiG, is a professional organization for women engaged in the field of German Studies. The organization was started in 1974. It publishes a newsletter and a yearbook, and has held an annual conference since 1976.
as an area of academic inquiry in the 1970s, developed during informal meetings of feminist Germanists at the annual conventions of the MLA
and AATG
. The first organizational steps were taken by volunteers from the University of Wisconsin who organized and distributed the organization's first newsletter.
Early concerns of the organization were feminist critiques of teaching materials (German textbooks), feminist pedagogy, and feminist critiques of major authors' works. Textbook critique expanded to include issues of racism, classism, and heterosexism/homophobia in textbooks. The organization has been anti-hierarchical and driven by volunteers since its inception. However, in 1999, the decision was made to have a president, vice-president and steering committee.
The group's name, "Women in German", is intended to be broadly inclusive. "Women" was preferred to "Feminists in German", in order to keep the organization open to all women, whether feminist or not. "German" was favored over "Germanistik", to ensure that the group remains open to the interests of Germanists not currently employed in academia and high school German teachers.
in Oxford, Ohio
. The first conference program was called "Feminism and German Studies: An Interdisciplinary Perspective." The original format of the conference involved unstructured discussion periods on two broad topics before and after a more traditional academic symposium, at which conference attendees presented papers. After 1977, the traditional symposium was abandoned in favor of "Arbeitsgruppen" [trans. "work groups"] to "encourage greater involvement on the part of all participants and to eliminate the typical split between 'active' papergivers and a 'passive' audience." The goal of collective work remains important, however the growing size of the conference has caused changes in the format. Since 1980, women German-language authors have been invited to each conference.
Currently, the conference is a 3-day event consisting of panel talks. There is still some time allotted at every conference for open discussion.
For many years, there has been discussion about replacing the Yearbook with or transforming it into a biannual or quarterly publication. This idea has not yet been realized, as it has been financially out of reach for the organization.
The rising cost of the print publication and an increase in interest in electronic scholarship in recent years, has prompted the organization to consider transitioning to an online journal in place of the print Yearbook.
since 1976. The organization has held meetings or presentations at both the MLA and AATG
conventions nearly every year since its inception. Women in German did not plan sessions at the AATG convention during years in which the convention was held in a state that had not ratified the ERA
.
. Since 2002, the organization has had its own domain name and webspace. A group of members at the University of California, Berkeley
set up a WIG-L listserv. The WiG newsletter, as mentioned above, has been electronic since 203.
History
The organization has its roots in developments within the German and American women's movements and in growth of Women's StudiesWomen's studies
Women's studies, also known as feminist studies, is an interdisciplinary academic field which explores politics, society and history from an intersectional, multicultural women's perspective...
as an area of academic inquiry in the 1970s, developed during informal meetings of feminist Germanists at the annual conventions of the MLA
Modern Language Association
The Modern Language Association of America is the principal professional association in the United States for scholars of language and literature...
and AATG
American Association of Teachers of German
The American Association of Teachers of German is a professional organisation for teachers of German in the United States and Europe. Teachers may be involved in primary, secondary, or university education. Additionally, retired and student teachers are welcome....
. The first organizational steps were taken by volunteers from the University of Wisconsin who organized and distributed the organization's first newsletter.
Early concerns of the organization were feminist critiques of teaching materials (German textbooks), feminist pedagogy, and feminist critiques of major authors' works. Textbook critique expanded to include issues of racism, classism, and heterosexism/homophobia in textbooks. The organization has been anti-hierarchical and driven by volunteers since its inception. However, in 1999, the decision was made to have a president, vice-president and steering committee.
The group's name, "Women in German", is intended to be broadly inclusive. "Women" was preferred to "Feminists in German", in order to keep the organization open to all women, whether feminist or not. "German" was favored over "Germanistik", to ensure that the group remains open to the interests of Germanists not currently employed in academia and high school German teachers.
Newsletter
The first newsletter was prepared and distributed by a collective of students and professors at the University of Wisconsin in 1974. The newsletter was based at UW until 1981. During the early years, the newsletter included news about the women's movement in Germany. Now it primarily contains academic information, such as call for papers and conference announcements. Book reviews and bibliographies are also circulated as part of the newsletter. In fall 2003, the group began publishing the newsletter electronically, three times yearly. Back issues from 1975 up to last year's issues on WiG's website, which is listed below.Conference
The organization has an annual conference for members that was first held in 1976, at Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Oxford, Ohio
Oxford, Ohio
Oxford is a city in northwestern Butler County, Ohio, United States, in the southwestern portion of the state. It lies in Oxford Township, originally called the College Township. The population was 21,943 at the 2000 census. This college town was founded as a home for Miami University. Oxford...
. The first conference program was called "Feminism and German Studies: An Interdisciplinary Perspective." The original format of the conference involved unstructured discussion periods on two broad topics before and after a more traditional academic symposium, at which conference attendees presented papers. After 1977, the traditional symposium was abandoned in favor of "Arbeitsgruppen" [trans. "work groups"] to "encourage greater involvement on the part of all participants and to eliminate the typical split between 'active' papergivers and a 'passive' audience." The goal of collective work remains important, however the growing size of the conference has caused changes in the format. Since 1980, women German-language authors have been invited to each conference.
Currently, the conference is a 3-day event consisting of panel talks. There is still some time allotted at every conference for open discussion.
Yearbook
The Women in German Yearbook was started in 1985 as a "response to the growing interest in Women's Studies in German literature and culture." It is a peer-reviewed academic journal that is published once yearly. Currently, it is published at the University of Nebraska Press.For many years, there has been discussion about replacing the Yearbook with or transforming it into a biannual or quarterly publication. This idea has not yet been realized, as it has been financially out of reach for the organization.
The rising cost of the print publication and an increase in interest in electronic scholarship in recent years, has prompted the organization to consider transitioning to an online journal in place of the print Yearbook.
Interorganizational alliances
Women in German has been an "allied organization" of the MLAModern Language Association
The Modern Language Association of America is the principal professional association in the United States for scholars of language and literature...
since 1976. The organization has held meetings or presentations at both the MLA and AATG
American Association of Teachers of German
The American Association of Teachers of German is a professional organisation for teachers of German in the United States and Europe. Teachers may be involved in primary, secondary, or university education. Additionally, retired and student teachers are welcome....
conventions nearly every year since its inception. Women in German did not plan sessions at the AATG convention during years in which the convention was held in a state that had not ratified the ERA
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time...
.
Web presence
Women in German has had a website since the mid-nineties. The site was initially created and hosted at the University of Massachusetts AmherstUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
. Since 2002, the organization has had its own domain name and webspace. A group of members at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
set up a WIG-L listserv. The WiG newsletter, as mentioned above, has been electronic since 203.