Karein Goertz

Karein Goertz is a Teaching Professor and Program Head of the German program at the University of Michigan's Residential College (RC), part of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). She also leads the Arts and Ideas in the Humanities and First-Year Writing Seminar programs. Her teaching focuses on German language, literature, and interdisciplinary topics such as Holocaust narratives, refugee experiences, and multiculturalism. She holds a Ph.D. and has authored articles in journals like Michigan Quarterly Review and The Comparatist, alongside contributions to edited volumes on cultural memory, migration, and urban studies.

Her research explores themes of cultural trauma, urban identity, and literary translation, with particular attention to Berlin's evolving cultural landscape. She designs courses examining German literature's engagement with modernity, exile, and migration, as well as creative projects like short films and podcasts in German.

Dr. Goertz is deeply involved in academic administration, maintaining the RC German program website and newsletter. She advocates for inclusive education and global perspectives, welcoming students from across the university. Her work bridges literary analysis with contemporary social issues, emphasizing the role of art and narrative in understanding historical and cultural complexities.