The German department attracts about 10 majors per year. With additional students pursuing German as a minor, and a strong cohort of first and second year students, we have a vibrant program that involves more than 40-50 students. Frequently students begin their study of German at Bowdoin, while others build upon their previous language instruction. Students often combine the major in German language, culture, and literature with a major in English, government, economics, or history. Others are pre-med students and/or pursue majors in the sciences.
Current Majors
Isaac Ardis, German / Math
Salma Berrada El Azizi, German and History
Ari Bittel, German
Jack Burkhardt, German and Economics
Johanna Clarke, German and French
Elizabeth Clegg, German and Government & Legal Studies
Zachary Crawford, German and Government & Legal Studies
Chester Eng, German and English
Samuel Frizzell, German / History
Ellen Kimball, German and History / Latin American Studies
Sam Landis, German and Earth Oceanographic Science
Bryce Lednar, German and Economics
Julia Littlefield, German / History
Ingrid Oelschlager, German and Asian Studies
Nick Powell, German
Charlotte Ryan, German and Government and Legal Studies
Renny Sabina, German and Government & Legal Studies
Anders Samuelson, German and English / Teaching
Rebecca Silva, German
Alexander Vertrees, German and History
Hannah Vossler, German / Visual Arts
Leah Weiss, German and History
Kara Wilson, German and Art History / Italian
Study Away
Study abroad is very important to our majors. The German department has long-standing connections and affiliations with year-long and semester programs in Germany and Austria, particularly in Berlin, Tübingen, Freiburg, Hamburg and Vienna. Students may also opt for summer programs at either the renowned Goethe-Institut or in cooperation with universities in Germany (Berlin) and Austria (Vienna).
More on the program »
Students Teach Students
Students play a crucial role in the Department's teaching. Seniors returning from study-away are selected as Teaching Assistants for the first four semesters of German-language instruction and assist as tutors and graders. They work closely with faculty to develop teaching skills and contribute their ideas and experience to the program. Usually, at least one of our TAs began the study of German at Bowdoin. Their participation in the Department's teaching program prepares them for competitive Fulbright teaching assistantships, as well as for teaching in secondary schools. (See Honors, Grants and Prizes for further information and a list of recent recipients.)
Community
German students also play a vital role in the college community. They have been active members of the student government and involved in campus politics, contributors to the /Bowdoin Magazine/ (Alix Roy '07), editors and editors- in-chief of the Orient (Ted Reinert '05 and Kyle Staller '04, respectively), and residential-life advisors and proctors (e.g. Jordan Krechmar '07. They are accomplished musicians, performing solo, in vocal groups, with the Bowdoin chamber choir and band (Mikyo Butler '10). They are active in dance, theater and Masque & Gown. For example, Theresa Weaver '09 has been involved in the annual production of the Vagina Monologues and a recent M&G production, An Ideal Husband, featured Brenna Nicely '10, a German major. In addition, like many Bowdoin students, German students volunteer with organizations in the Brunswick community (Jack Burkhardt '11). Many students are active athletes - playing, among others, cross country (Anders Samuelson '12), field hockey (Liz Clegg '12 and Ingrid Oelschlager - 2010 National Champions) lacrosse (Jack Burkhardt '11, Liz Clegg '12 and Ingrid Oelschlager '11), rugby (Rebecca Silva '11), soccer (Nick Powell '12), track (Sam Frizell '12 and Anders Samuelson '12) and ultimate frisbee (Chester Eng '11 and Julia Littlefield '11) - or members and leaders of the Outing Club (Catherine Jager '09).
