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Graduate Student Profiles2009-2010
Ph.D. Candidate Email: arnoldju@email.uc.edu
Buesch, Marie-Luise PhD Candidate Email: bueschm@email.uc.edu VDAC scholarship (2006-2007) Editor-in-Chief "Focus on German Studies" (2009-2010) Marie came to UC in 2006 as a one year exchange student from Freiburg, Germany where she had spent three years studying English Philology and German literature. She continued at UC for another year so that she was able to complete her MA thesis on Karen Duve’s works and how they are situated between feminism and post-feminism, which she defended in 2008. Her research interests are focused on but not limited to women’s literature and (post-) feminism, memory, Romanticism, especially Heimat, and contemporary literature. Once she earned her MA, Marie entered the PhD program and is currently in her second year, working towards her preliminary exams in the fall of 2010. She is also organizing the Focus on German Studies conference in October 2009, the Editor-in-Chief of the Fogs journal (to be published in the summer of 2010) and the graduate student-faculty-liaison for the 2009-2010 academic year. In April 2007, Marie helped organize German Day. Previously, she taught the accelerated as well as the extended sequence of beginning German and received the “Excellence in Teaching Award” for graduate students of the German Department. She has further taught in the summer program, including co-teaching an intensive immersion program for engineering students (ICP). At present, she is in her fourth year of teaching and in charge of the second year of the extended beginning German sequence.
Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) Email: ennismj@email.uc.edu
Mike Ennis is a second year TA and PhD candidate. He began studying German at the Culver Academies. He earned his B.A. in German and Economics from Xavier University in 2002 and his M.A. in German Studies from the University of Kentucky in 2005. He served as a TA at UK, was a TA for the English Department at the PH-Ludwigsburg and was a Lehrbeauftragte for the Sprachenzentrum at the Katholische Universität Eichstätt. In addition to teaching assistantships, he was awarded the Martin A Uebel award for German in 1998, a Presidential Scholarship from 1998 to 2002, a Baden-Württemberger Stipendium in 2004 and a DAAD scholarship in 2005. He was also awarded a Taft Enhancement Scholarship for the 2007-2008 academic year. The focus of both his senior thesis and his M.A. exam was on aspects of Bertolt Brecht’s work. The first was a basic overview of Brecht’s life and work, and the latter an analysis of the many layers of Kampf in Brecht’s prose. Since completion of the M.A., he has dabbled with cultural anthropology and ethnography, intercultural communication and its implications on foreign language pedagogy, analyzing literary texts within the context of greater societal and cultural phenomena, and pondering a “New Realism” that incorporates the intellectual currents of the 20th Century. A recent extracurricular hobby has been German and European pre-history. Brecht remains, however, his favorite German author. Last spring he presented papers at the Kentucky Foreign Language Conference at UK (“Cultural Realism and the process of Assimilation in Christoph Hein’s Landnahme”) and the annuEuropean Studies Conference at UC (“The Challenge of Intercultural Communication and the Prospects of a Multicultural EU in Code Unknown and L’Auberge espagnole”). In September, 2007 he conducted a workshop entitled “Intercultural Communication in the FL Classroom” for the in-coming TAs in UC’s newly founded School of World Languages. Last year he was head organizer of the department’s annual German Day. He anticipates completing the final course requirements for the PhD. this year and taking his preliminary exams in September 2008.
Grünthal, Tobias Masters Candidate Email: gruentts@email.uc.edu
Second year Master’s candidate Tobias Grünthal is a native of what was once known as West Berlin. Being interested in the interconnection of culture with literature and other forms of art, he has been looking into German Literature, Art History and Philosophy from the very beginning of his studies, trying to bring the various disciplines together as an academic. Being a language-teaching associate at Carleton College/MN in 2006/2007 opened his eyes to the more holistic concept of German Studies. This led to his decision to pursue a Master’s degree in German Studies after attaining his B.A. equivalent at the Technische Universität Berlin. During his first year at UC, Tobias helped organizing German Day 2009, set up a regular outside-of-class revision course for Undergraduate German Majors and taught several classes as a substitute teacher in a 200 level literature class on Goethe’s Faust. Last June, he has taught the Summer Intensive Class 2009. Also looking into opportunities outside the University setting, he edited Austrian author Mark Gold’s novel Ballawatsch: Der Leopard auf der Autobahn before coming to UC. He recently finished editing the follow-up novel Fata Morgana, an experience he believes will be valuable when being the editorial assistant for the coming Lessing Yearbook XXXVII. Tobias’ research interests include the works of young Heinrich Mann, the question of national identity, the imaginary dichotomy of journalist and author as well as so-called ‘Berlin literature’ from any time period. However, the Klassische Moderne is his particular field of interest, a fact that will be reflected in his coming M.A. Thesis. In his free time, Tobias is always on the lookout for the perfectly brewed cup of Green Tea and more interesting German rap music.
Hagen, Alexandra PhD Candidate (ABD) Email: hagena@mail.uc.edu A native of Nuremberg, Alexandra first studied English and German Literature and Media Studies at Otto-Friedrich Universität in Bamberg. As an exchange student at the University of South Carolina, she was introduced to a variety of courses that ranged from Literary Theory and Film Studies to Foreign Language Pedagogy. She graduated in 2005 with a M.A.. in Foreign Languages & Literatures with an emphasis on German Studies and Second Language Acquisition. Since joining department in Fall 2005, she has taken advantage of the ample professional activities that this department offers. During the academic year 2005-06, she lived and worked at the Taft Research Center and co-organized German Day 2006. She has organized last year’s graduate student conference as well as edited Focus on German Studies volume 16, a renowned, peer-reviewed graduate student journal that publishes articles, book reviews and interviews on and beyond German literature, film and culture. Her research interests include New German Cinema, Terrorism in German literature, film and culture, America in the German Imagination, and Teaching Mass Media in the Foreign Language Classroom. Her dissertation investigates German literary, filmic and intellectual responses to the terrorist attacks on 9/11. In her free time, Alexandra concocts travels to faraway places like rafting in the Amazon rainforest or hiking in the Mount Kenya National Park. She is also intrigued by Japanese calligraphy as well as enamored with exquisite letterpress stationary.
Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) Email: heidttw@email.uc.edu
Adjunct Positions: Wright State University, Summer Term 2005 Northern Kentucky University, 2007-2008 Todd returned to Cincinnati hoping to take advantage of the professional development opportunities here. As such, he has edited for Focus on German Studies, organized the annual Focus on German Studies conference, participated in interdisciplinary conferences on and off campus, and taken advantage of the departmental relationship with Fulbright Austria to spend one year teaching and researching in Vienna. Todd's research interests lie in modernity, fin-de-siecle Vienna, Weimar Germany as well as multi-medial approaches to cultural studies. His dissertation will investigate vision and montage as narrative elements in the literature and film of the Weimar Republic. He is also interested in psychoanalysis, visual culture, film studies, critical theory, vintage typewriters and caffeination.
Masters Candidate Email: Kentuckygraham@gmal.com
Graham received his BA in German Studies at the University of Cincinnati. He leaned toward German Studies after experiencing the basic language program at UC, but fell in head first upon his introduction to a novella by Heinrich von Kleist. Pursuing a Masters at Cincinnati has offered opportunities to develop both professionally and academically. He currently teaches the daily German language course, was co-organizer of German Day (a community outreach program), and is acting President of the German Graduate Student Governance Association. Close work with fellow Graduate students and Professors has allowed Graham to explore the established cannon and the farthest reaches of contemporary German Studies. One current interest is in music of the People as an expression of identity and how it is used in literature and other forms of media. In his free time, Graham pursues music. As a local performer with Jake Speed and the Freddies, he has played intimate coffee houses, Music Hall, and countless places in between. He has also played live radio, including NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion.
Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) Email: hutchimd@gmail.com
Although Michael began his academic career pursuing theater and commercial art, he kept finding himself returning to all things German and eventually completed bachelors and masters degrees in German studies. Of course, he continues to dabble in the art world (Michael regularly shows pieces at local art galleries and sells original work at Findlay Market in the summer) and he keeps his toes in the theater world, (Michael and his wife occasionally perform with an improv troupe), but he is now focusing on his passion for German literature as he prepares for his comprehensive exams this spring and the dissertation work that will follow. Michael’s many research interests include contemporary German novels, medicine and madness in literature, Romanticism, and Aesthetics. Michael's experiences teaching German have also led to an growing interest in second language acquisition and he recently co-authored an article with Andrea Engels, "Foreign Language Instruction for Students with Learning Difficulties: Rethinking the Setting and Structure of Classes Using the Natural Approach," Modern Language Studies (Fall 2005) 71-81. His dissertation research will focus on the representation of the body-mind connection in 18th Century German theater. Recent conference presentations:
Ph.D Candidate Email: Wesley.jacksonjr@gmail.com
Wes Jackson is a native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee where he completed his Bachelor’s degree at Middle Tennessee State University with a double emphasis in German studies and in English literature. Wes is passionate about his books and movies and enjoys long discussions with friends involving the intersection of philosophy, history, and aesthetics over a pipe and a beer. Having visited Germany twice, once during a study-abroad semester and most recently for an internship with SAP (the international software corporation), Wes looks to immerse himself in the rich flavors of contemporary German culture any chance he can get. When he is not leading his beginning German class on a tour of German language and culture, he’s probably discussing films with friends and colleagues and talking about the differences between American and European cinema. In his free time, Wes enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and keeping up with the contemporary music scene---for which Cincinnati is a better locale than he originally thought. The University of Cincinnati has provided an amazing, close community of people (both of professors and fellow graduate students) to discuss and develop ideas as well as challenge Wes in his pursuits of an eventual doctoral degree. He is currently focusing his dissertation research on the works of expressionist writer, Alfred Döblin, and on the German film director, Tom Tykwer.
Ph.D. Candidate Email: ewyatt1010@hotmail.com A Cincinnati native, Emily earned her B.A. in German Literature at UC in 2002. Following completion of her degree she accepted a stipendium from the Verband der Deutsch-Amerikanischen Clubs and studied two semesters at the Universität Essen. She returned to UC to complete her Masters in German Studies, and is now continuing toward her PhD. Emily would like to investigate the roles of popular and high culture in Germany’s past and present. Emily is also a dance teacher and choreographer at the Mason Dance Center in Mason, Ohio, where she has served as Director of the Pre-Professional Ballet Program. She hopes to continue to bring an appreciation of creative and performing arts to young students for years to come.
Lückel, Wolfgang Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) Email: wlueckel@gmx.de Wolfgang Lückel studied at the Universität Mainz (Germanistik, Musikwissenschaft, Publizistik) before he came to UC in 2003. He received his MA in 2005 with a thesis on Thomas Brussig’s Helden wie wir. He is currently finishing his dissertation about the depiction of the nuclear Holocaust in German literature and film, tentatively entitled “Atomic Abyss.” Wolfgang is interested in the interplay of literature and science as he thinks that scientific revolutions have changed the face of the earth and our life much more than literature could ever do. Wolfgang’s other interests include: Romanticism, music and literature, the representation of nature and man’s influence on nature in literature and film, the films of Werner Herzog, and American literature (favorite authors: Herman Melville and Philip Roth). Wolfgang has taught courses from first to third year at UC and was a visiting adjunct instructor at Miami University during Winter 2006/2007 and at Xavier University during Fall/Winter 2008/2009. Former fellowships include: Max Kade Fellowship, Lessing Editorial Assistant Fellowship, Focus on German Studies Editorial Fellowship, two UGS Summer Research Fellowships (2004, 2007), and the Taft Dissertation Fellowship. Wolfgang has also presented papers at various conferences (UC, Harvard, McGill, UVa, MLA, GSA, IVG 2010 in Warsaw forthcoming). Wolfgang was attracted to coming to the University of Cincinnati by the dedication that the Department of German Studies exhibits in carefully preparing its graduate students for a career in academia and the outstanding financial support as well as the various number of research and editorial fellowships available. He has been very pleased with the intellectual latitude at UC and the close interaction between faculty and graduate students. In his leisure time Wolfgang enjoys playing classical piano and engaging in photography.
Masters Candidate Email: Delphiniums.blue@gmail.com Alexandra is an MA candidate. She grew up in Cincinnati and received her BA in German Studies from UC. While an undergrad she received several outstanding student awards, the Department of German Studies Award, and the Poll Prize. In her spare time she enjoys dancing, knitting, and chasing her three kittens.
Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) Email: deborah.page@uc.edu
Shahan, John Email: spatialparadox@hotmail.com I am from Nashville, Tennessee and have lived there for most of my life. I spent my undergraduate years at Belmont University in Nashville, where I double-majored in German and Philosophy. I earned an M.A. in philosophy at Baylor University in Texas, from 2005 to 2007. Philosophy is very important to me but studying German and literature is even more important. My academic interests include 20th century German literature including Grass, Hesse, and Kafka. I also enjoy Goethe, especially Faust I and II. One of my most significant interests is finding connections between European, Greek, and Asian philosophy, and German literature and film. I am very interested in the influences of Germanic philosophers such as Hegel and Kant. My non-academic interests include Asian philosophy, Continental European philosophy, natural science, such as biology and physics, and travel. I also enjoy computers and electronics. \
Exchange Student, Verband Deutsch-Amerikanischer Clubs Email: Josi_USA@web.de My name is Josefine Tunsch and I am an exchange student from Hamburg, Germany where I had spent three years studying English and German literature and education. My dream job is to be a teacher in elementary school. I got a scholarship from the VDAC, will be studying at UC, and will be a teaching assistant for the 2009-2010 academic year. I am very interested in film studies and pedagogy. In my free time I love to travel and to meet my friends.
MA Candidate Email: princessemzz@yahoo.com
Emily Zimmer is currently pursuing her Masters of Arts in German Studies after recently finishing work toward her Bachelors Degree from the University of Cincinnati in the same field. She began her formal German education at the age of thirteen, and spent time living in Görlitz, Germany to refine her language skills. Emily has received several college and departmental awards including: Outstanding Student, German book award, Helen Daly Scholarship, and the Lena Sutter Scholarship.
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