Susanne M. Wagner completed her undergraduate studies in History and German Linguistics/Literatures at the Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg i. Br., Germany. She holds a MA and Ph.D. in German Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to joining the St. Thomas’ faculty in 2013, she held teaching positions at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, Agnes Scott College, and The Citadel.
At St. Thomas, Dr. Wagner is the German section head, the founding director of the International Engineering Program, and the faculty advisor to student clubs such as the German Club, the Ballroom Dance Club, and the St. Thomas’ Chapter of the National German Honor Society Delta Phi Alpha.
Susanne is a literary and cultural historian focusing on 20th century Germany with a research emphasis on National Socialism and a passion for language acquisition, intercultural literacy, and the incorporation of STEM in the foreign language curriculum. During her 20 years of teaching, she has taught a full range of German language, culture, and literature courses both in the U.S. and abroad, published on resistance literature, drama pedagogy, and memory culture, and has received numerous awards for her service activities, teaching, and research production.
She has held positions on the state, regional, and national level as member of the Executive Council of the American Council of Teachers of German (AATG), AATG Midwest Regional Representative, the AATG-Minnesota Testing Chair, AATG-Arkansas President, and member of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (CSCTFL) Advisory Board. As a Goethe Institut Trainer/AATG Consultant, she regularly organizes and holds professional development seminars for K-16 German educators.
At St. Thomas, Dr. Wagner is the German section head, the founding director of the International Engineering Program, and the faculty advisor to student clubs such as the German Club, the Ballroom Dance Club, and the St. Thomas’ Chapter of the National German Honor Society Delta Phi Alpha.
Susanne is a literary and cultural historian focusing on 20th century Germany with a research emphasis on National Socialism and a passion for language acquisition, intercultural literacy, and the incorporation of STEM in the foreign language curriculum. During her 20 years of teaching, she has taught a full range of German language, culture, and literature courses both in the U.S. and abroad, published on resistance literature, drama pedagogy, and memory culture, and has received numerous awards for her service activities, teaching, and research production.
She has held positions on the state, regional, and national level as member of the Executive Council of the American Council of Teachers of German (AATG), AATG Midwest Regional Representative, the AATG-Minnesota Testing Chair, AATG-Arkansas President, and member of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (CSCTFL) Advisory Board. As a Goethe Institut Trainer/AATG Consultant, she regularly organizes and holds professional development seminars for K-16 German educators.
Wagner, S. & Hoecherl-Alden, G. (2020). Mapping Memory and Historical Literacy onto the German Curriculum, Die Unterrichtspraxis, 53.1, p. 35-54.
Wagner, S., & Sullivan M. (2017). Supporting Students’ Intercultural Literacy through Mentoring Undergraduate Research Projects. Report of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, p. 87-108.
Wagner, S. (2016). Fostering Connections: Using Memorial to teach History in Study Abroad. Report of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, p. 231-254.
National Geographic Channel. (2016, September 4). Pope vs. Hitler [Video File].
Wagner, S. (2011). Drama Pedagogy in the Foreign Language Classroom: Wolfgang Borchert’s Das Brot, Report of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 51-65.
Wagner, S. (2010). Bühne frei für die Verschwörer. Der 20. Juli 1944 im deutschen Drama. Saarbrücken: VDM-Verlag, ISBN 978-3-639-03557-5.
Wagner, S., & Sullivan M. (2017). Supporting Students’ Intercultural Literacy through Mentoring Undergraduate Research Projects. Report of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, p. 87-108.
Wagner, S. (2016). Fostering Connections: Using Memorial to teach History in Study Abroad. Report of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, p. 231-254.
National Geographic Channel. (2016, September 4). Pope vs. Hitler [Video File].
Wagner, S. (2011). Drama Pedagogy in the Foreign Language Classroom: Wolfgang Borchert’s Das Brot, Report of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 51-65.
Wagner, S. (2010). Bühne frei für die Verschwörer. Der 20. Juli 1944 im deutschen Drama. Saarbrücken: VDM-Verlag, ISBN 978-3-639-03557-5.
Best Article in Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German (2021)
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Campus Weeks Grants (2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011)
Environmental Stewardship Curriculum Grant, University of St. Thomas (2020, 2015)
Deutsche Welle German Teacher of the Month, www.dw.de/susanne-aus-den-usa/a-17763199 (June 2014, May 2016)
AATG/Goethe Institut Certificate of Merit for outstanding achievement in furthering the teaching of German in schools in the United States (2012)
TraiNDaF II leadership program – Transatlantisches interkulturelles Nachwuchsförderungsprogramm Deutsch als Fremdsprache II (2010)
Arkansas Achievers Award, Arkansas Democrat Gazette (2012)
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Campus Weeks Grants (2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011)
Environmental Stewardship Curriculum Grant, University of St. Thomas (2020, 2015)
Deutsche Welle German Teacher of the Month, www.dw.de/susanne-aus-den-usa/a-17763199 (June 2014, May 2016)
AATG/Goethe Institut Certificate of Merit for outstanding achievement in furthering the teaching of German in schools in the United States (2012)
TraiNDaF II leadership program – Transatlantisches interkulturelles Nachwuchsförderungsprogramm Deutsch als Fremdsprache II (2010)
Arkansas Achievers Award, Arkansas Democrat Gazette (2012)
Dr. Wagner is hosting virtual office hours this semester.
Mondays: 3-4 p.m. (Register in advance)
Wednesdays: 12-1 p.m. (Register in advance)