Monday, July 19, 2021

Germanic and Slavic Studies students had a confession or two to make

A group of graduate students in Germanic & Slavic Studies have authored a recent online publication that involved transcription, translation and analysis of a famous medieval text.

“The Two Confessions / Dÿ zwu peicht,” transcription, translation, and commentary by Margreet De Rooij, Eva Dirschka, Matthieu Martin, Elizabeth Milne, Nina Profazi, and Myrto Provida, appears in The Global Medieval Sourcebook A Digital Repository of Medieval Texts.

The Global Medieval Sourcebook (GMS), based at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California "is an open access teaching and research tool. It offers a flexible online display for the parallel viewing of medieval texts in their original language and in new English translations, complemented by new introductory materials. The transcriptions, translations, and commentaries in the GMS are produced and reviewed by scholars of medieval studies."

The graduate students produced their transcription, translation, and commentary of this anonymous, 215-line comic tale, written in Middle High German (the medieval precursor of modern German) and from the second quarter of the fifteenth century, as their final group project for the 2021 winter term course Introduction to Medieval German Studies (GER 620/720), taught by Professor Ann Marie Rasmussen, the John G Diefenbaker Memorial Chair in German Literary Studies.

Alumni podcast considers reconciliation and Canada's legal system

Brad Regehr (BA '93) was working at the Turnkey Desk when a friend stopped by holding an LSAT study guide. That's the first time he considered becoming a lawyer.

A grandchild of a residential school survivor, and a survivor himself of the Sixties Scoop, Brad has worked in Indigenous law for more than 20 years. In the fall of 2020, he was named president of the Canadian Bar Association—the first Indigenous president in the organization's 124-year history.

Brad is a member of the Peter Bellantyne Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, and in this episode you'll hear his conversation with Abby Ollila, a current history student at Waterloo. They discuss how he reconnected with his identity and culture, and what the future holds for Indigenous rights in Canada.

Learn more and find educational resources on the show notes page.

Listen to the new episode of Uncharted: Warriors in the World on Spotify, Soundcloud or Apple Podcasts. 

Have you participated in Waterloo's equity survey?

A message from Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion.

Last week, all Waterloo students and employees who hadn’t yet participated in the Equity Survey received a reminder via their Waterloo email address. The entire campus community is encouraged to participate so that we can better know who is part of our community and create strategies to ensure programs, supports, and services are working for everyone.

Here’s how to participate

If you have not yet participated, look for an email in your Waterloo email inbox from UWaterloo Communications, with the subject line First Reminder | Take Waterloo’s Equity Survey Today. In this email, you will find a link to participate that is unique to only you. It will only take 5 to 10 minutes to complete. If you have any questions about the survey, email equitysurvey@uwaterloo.ca.

Optometry and Vision Science study seeks participants; other notes

Grace McAlorum takes part in her first research study, with her father Andrew.

Researchers at the School of Optometry & Vision Science are currently seeking infants/toddlers aged 12 to 36 months to participate in a study developing a new, more accurate, method of assessing detailed vision in this age group. The study is called “Development of Form Visual Acuity in Infants”. This study will include one in-person visit lasting less than 30 minutes with an optional second visit later. The study includes tasks such as pointing at shapes and faces shown on a touch screen. Eligible participants will receive $20 per visit at each visit. For more information, please contact Kalpana Rose, University of Waterloo at k3rose@uwaterloo.ca.                    

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Committee.

Calling all foodies - registration for Renison’s next series of International Cooking Classes (open to everyone in the community) is now open. "Our head chef Tim Farley is pleased to be offering another set of 3 classes highlighting delicious fall dishes from turkey pot pie to vegetarian squash soup and curry to international holiday favourites fesenjan and hojeulas," says the note from Renison. "Don’t miss your chance to learn how to make some delicious international dishes. We invite you to explore the world through food." Register for all 3 classes (by September 27) and receive a 15 per cent discount: https://uwaterloo.ca/cape/cooking-classes.

The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) launched a joint message with the Ontario Undergraduate Student Association (OUSA) late last week, encouraging students, faculty and staff at institutions in the province to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The message recognizes the exceptional contributions and dedication of Ontario’s students in accelerating provincial COVID-19 vaccination efforts to date, highlights the importance of vaccinations in bringing student life back to campuses and reiterates that universities will continue to work with public health units and the provincial government to prioritize the health and safety of students in their reopening strategies.

You can find the full message on the Ontario’s Universities website here: https://ontariosuniversities.ca/joint-statement-by-the-ontario-undergraduate-student-alliance-and-ontarios-universities-on-fall-re-opening-and-vaccinations