title: Towards a functional definition of German studies: New Zealand and the international context

authors: McGuiness-King, Kristina Lois

abstract: Particularly during the past two decades education systems have been confronted by globalisation and internationalisation, resulting diversification and integration of foreign and trading relations, increasingly multicultural societies, rapidly advancing economic and technological developments and the dominance of the English language internationally as the language of international trade, and political and cultural communication. These changes have led to a process of ongoing restructuring in education internationally.

The determination of academic programmes according to the principle of consumer demand, and the vocational focus associated with the ‘marketisation’ of the education system have led many to question the ‘usefulness’ of foreign languages, particularly the European languages, especially in view of the fact that historically foreign languages disciplines have been largely literature-based. During the past two decades, however, the question of ‘general or cultural education’ versus career-oriented education has become more pointed. Foreign languages disciplines, including German Studies, have been forced to adapt the programmes offered to reflect the diversification of career options and the trend towards the study of vocational or professional subjects. 

This thesis explores the diverse, interrelated and changing regional and international parameters that have impacted on the situation of foreign languages in the Asia-Pacific. In order to provide international reference points for recommendations for the future development of German Studies in New Zealand, I investigate the framework, context and national parameters (historical, political, economic, educational and social) that have impacted on the context and concept of German Studies in selected Asian-Pacific countries: China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. This evaluation ascertains what innovations have occurred within the discipline in these countries in response to the changing parameters.

The discipline of German Studies in the Asia-Pacific has responded to these challenges in various ways. These include the incorporation of the German departments into larger administrative and curricular units, the diversification of the ‘German’ courses and programmes offered to include practical applications of German and contemporary German and European issues, the development of vocationally-oriented programmes and of interdisciplinary and integrated programmes, such as European Studies, the introduction of DaF or Interkulturelle Germanistik programmes and the development of cooperative ventures and programmes with German companies, organisations and institutions.

It is evident from the responses of the discipline that irrespective of national differences the pressures of globalisation and internationalisation exerted on the discipline in these five countries are very similar. The discipline of German Studies in New Zealand cannot isolate itself from the developments occurring internationally and the necessity to respond. The discipline must take cognisance of these developments and respond to the pressures it is faced with by clearly defining its function and role within the environment of interrelated political, economic and educational parameters that it operates in. It does not suffice to point to the cultural value of individual languages. In other words, while the discipline of German Studies in New Zealand, consistent with international trends, should retain a strong cultural component, it cannot define its role solely on an understanding of its cultural importance, but must respond to the challenge to become relevant to demands of the employment market. 

In order to maximise the effectiveness, attractiveness and potential of the discipline in New Zealand, it is desirable that the discipline develops two clear foci, which would do justice to both its cultural/literary mission and its functional role in the labour market. One would continue to focus on Germanistik proper, that is, the study of language and literature, while the other would specialise in the applied dimensions of German Studies, including specifically targeted language courses and integrated programmes in Intercultural Studies and European Studies. This model reflects the recent changes in the political, economic and linguistic environment as well as those in education both nationally and internationally. Such a functional approach, with increased emphasis on the recognition of the vocational potential of the discipline, would ensure the productive development of the discipline and greatly enhance the value of the subject from a national perspective.

text: Towards a functional definition of German studies: New Zealand and the international context Particularly during the past two decades education systems have been confronted by globalisation and internationalisation, resulting diversification and integration of foreign and trading relations, increasingly multicultural societies, rapidly advancing economic and technological developments and the dominance of the English language internationally as the language of international trade, and political and cultural communication. These changes have led to a process of ongoing restructuring in education internationally.

The determination of academic programmes according to the principle of consumer demand, and the vocational focus associated with the ‘marketisation’ of the education system have led many to question the ‘usefulness’ of foreign languages, particularly the European languages, especially in view of the fact that historically foreign languages disciplines have been largely literature-based. During the past two decades, however, the question of ‘general or cultural education’ versus career-oriented education has become more pointed. Foreign languages disciplines, including German Studies, have been forced to adapt the programmes offered to reflect the diversification of career options and the trend towards the study of vocational or professional subjects. 

This thesis explores the diverse, interrelated and changing regional and international parameters that have impacted on the situation of foreign languages in the Asia-Pacific. In order to provide international reference points for recommendations for the future development of German Studies in New Zealand, I investigate the framework, context and national parameters (historical, political, economic, educational and social) that have impacted on the context and concept of German Studies in selected Asian-Pacific countries: China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. This evaluation ascertains what innovations have occurred within the discipline in these countries in response to the changing parameters.

The discipline of German Studies in the Asia-Pacific has responded to these challenges in various ways. These include the incorporation of the German departments into larger administrative and curricular units, the diversification of the ‘German’ courses and programmes offered to include practical applications of German and contemporary German and European issues, the development of vocationally-oriented programmes and of interdisciplinary and integrated programmes, such as European Studies, the introduction of DaF or Interkulturelle Germanistik programmes and the development of cooperative ventures and programmes with German companies, organisations and institutions.

It is evident from the responses of the discipline that irrespective of national differences the pressures of globalisation and internationalisation exerted on the discipline in these five countries are very similar. The discipline of German Studies in New Zealand cannot isolate itself from the developments occurring internationally and the necessity to respond. The discipline must take cognisance of these developments and respond to the pressures it is faced with by clearly defining its function and role within the environment of interrelated political, economic and educational parameters that it operates in. It does not suffice to point to the cultural value of individual languages. In other words, while the discipline of German Studies in New Zealand, consistent with international trends, should retain a strong cultural component, it cannot define its role solely on an understanding of its cultural importance, but must respond to the challenge to become relevant to demands of the employment market. 

In order to maximise the effectiveness, attractiveness and potential of the discipline in New Zealand, it is desirable that the discipline develops two clear foci, which would do justice to both its cultural/literary mission and its functional role in the labour market. One would continue to focus on Germanistik proper, that is, the study of language and literature, while the other would specialise in the applied dimensions of German Studies, including specifically targeted language courses and integrated programmes in Intercultural Studies and European Studies. This model reflects the recent changes in the political, economic and linguistic environment as well as those in education both nationally and internationally. Such a functional approach, with increased emphasis on the recognition of the vocational potential of the discipline, would ensure the productive development of the discipline and greatly enhance the value of the subject from a national perspective.

year: 2001

title: Brexit and biobanking: GDPR perspectives

authors: Phillips, Andelka M.

subjects: GDPR

abstract: It is almost impossible to write a legal analysis of an event (Brexit) that has not happened and may never happen. This chapter nonetheless contributes to the edited collection in that it reports on the current legal position in the UK, and presents an analysis of two possible immediate post-Brexit legal futures, for data protection law as applicable to biobanking in the UK. These post-Brexit futures are the position if the draft Withdrawal Agreement is ratified and comes into force, and the position if it does not (a so-called ‘No Deal’ Brexit). The chapter concludes with some thoughts on possible longer term futures.

text: Brexit and biobanking: GDPR perspectives It is almost impossible to write a legal analysis of an event (Brexit) that has not happened and may never happen. This chapter nonetheless contributes to the edited collection in that it reports on the current legal position in the UK, and presents an analysis of two possible immediate post-Brexit legal futures, for data protection law as applicable to biobanking in the UK. These post-Brexit futures are the position if the draft Withdrawal Agreement is ratified and comes into force, and the position if it does not (a so-called ‘No Deal’ Brexit). The chapter concludes with some thoughts on possible longer term futures.

year: 2021

title: Ārai Whakamōmori: An Exploration of Te Whakaruruhau’s Suicide Prevention Strategy

authors: Jones, Waikorihiata Georgina-Ann Marama

subjects: Te Whakaruruhau, suicide, suicide prevention, indigenous suicide prevention, women’s refuge.

abstract: Te Whakaruruhau, Waikato Women’s Refuge, have been able to achieve a suicide free environment for their clients for over 31 years. This research sought to understand how Te Whakaruruhau have been successful in preventing suicide for women and their partners. Intimate partner violence is closely associated with suicide risk, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and helplessness and hopelessness. Interviews were held with 11 staff using kaupapa Māori (principles/philosophies) methodologies of: kānohi kitea (greeting, meeting face to face), ako Māori (learning, teaching, reciprocity, cultural pedagogy) and manaaki ki te tangata (caring, hosting people). A thematic analysis provided four main themes: identifying safety and risk issues, prevention methods, following tīkanga, and training and supervision. Sub themes that supported and expanded on each main theme showed that staff interacted and cared for their clients using distinctly Māori worldviews and practices of tīkanga: manner of approach, mā te whakarongo and kōrero (listening and talking), awhi (support), redirecting the focus, and whakamana (to empower), to prevent suicide with their clients. As Te Whakaruruhau is founded on principles of kaupapa Māori, it was evident that staff responded to their clients using manaakitanga (to care for, show respect), aroha (show love, empathy and sympathy), awhi, both physical and emotional support, and whakawhanaungatanga (relationship). A concern for staff was the lack of resourcing to access appropriate training and supervision which they felt impacted on their ability to do their job well. The implications of this study are that more training, specifically around suicide awareness, and mentoring and guidance is needed for staff to continue to provide a suicide free space. Also, this research serves to guide the formation of an indigenous national suicide prevention strategy for clients who access refuges. Ultimately, the research is for families who experience disruptions to their lives through violence offering a pathway and place for them to recover and rebuild their lives.

text: Ārai Whakamōmori: An Exploration of Te Whakaruruhau’s Suicide Prevention Strategy Te Whakaruruhau, Waikato Women’s Refuge, have been able to achieve a suicide free environment for their clients for over 31 years. This research sought to understand how Te Whakaruruhau have been successful in preventing suicide for women and their partners. Intimate partner violence is closely associated with suicide risk, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and helplessness and hopelessness. Interviews were held with 11 staff using kaupapa Māori (principles/philosophies) methodologies of: kānohi kitea (greeting, meeting face to face), ako Māori (learning, teaching, reciprocity, cultural pedagogy) and manaaki ki te tangata (caring, hosting people). A thematic analysis provided four main themes: identifying safety and risk issues, prevention methods, following tīkanga, and training and supervision. Sub themes that supported and expanded on each main theme showed that staff interacted and cared for their clients using distinctly Māori worldviews and practices of tīkanga: manner of approach, mā te whakarongo and kōrero (listening and talking), awhi (support), redirecting the focus, and whakamana (to empower), to prevent suicide with their clients. As Te Whakaruruhau is founded on principles of kaupapa Māori, it was evident that staff responded to their clients using manaakitanga (to care for, show respect), aroha (show love, empathy and sympathy), awhi, both physical and emotional support, and whakawhanaungatanga (relationship). A concern for staff was the lack of resourcing to access appropriate training and supervision which they felt impacted on their ability to do their job well. The implications of this study are that more training, specifically around suicide awareness, and mentoring and guidance is needed for staff to continue to provide a suicide free space. Also, this research serves to guide the formation of an indigenous national suicide prevention strategy for clients who access refuges. Ultimately, the research is for families who experience disruptions to their lives through violence offering a pathway and place for them to recover and rebuild their lives.

year: 2017