Student Spotlight

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
Elliot Beck, German
Ari Bittel, German
Mikyo Butler, German and Music
Jack Burkhardt, German and Economics
Johanna Clarke, German and French
Erica Ehrhardt, German / Chemistry
Chester Eng, German and English
Caroline Ferrari, German and Romance Languages
Keri Forbringer, German and Government & Legal Studies
Ceren Chelsea Germeyan, German
Will Grunewald, German and History
Sally Hudson, German and Government & Legal Studies / Economics
Ellen Kimball, German and Latin American Studies
Sam Landis, German and Geology
Bryce Lednar, German and Government & Legal Studies
John Lehman, German and English / Visual Arts
Julia Littlefield, German / History
Jack Morrison, German and Computer Science
Scott Nebel, German / Music
Brenna Nicely, German and English & Theater / Teaching
Ingrid Oelschlager, German / Asian Studies
Renny Sabina, German and Government & Legal Studies
Rebecca Schouvieller, German and History / Educational Studies
Bryce Spalding, German and Government & Legal Studies / Teaching
Alexander Vertrees, German and History
Hannah Vossler, German / Visual Arts
Leah Weiss, German and History
Kara Wilson, German and Art History / Italian

Abstracts from Students Honors Projects 2009

Molly Seaward '09
Beyond the Fräuleinwunder and Feminism: Julia Franck's Novel Die Mittagsfrau as Historiography of Gender & Sexuality
Project Summary

Theresa Weaver '09
Um der gebrechlichen Einrichtung der Welt willen": Geschlecht und Scham in Heinrich von Kleists Die Marquise von O...


Study Away

Study abroad has been 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 (Peter Rocco '07, Chase Cicchetti '09, Nick Peddle '09, Scott Nebel '09 (fall) and 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, lacrosse, soccer, football, basketball, and ultimate Frisbee - or members and leaders of the Outdoor club (Catherine Jager '09).