AIFS Partnership Programs: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

Faculty Bios

Primary faculty: Ben Kohn

Ben Kohn’s scholarly training and personal enthusiasms have resulted in his applying an interdisciplinary approach to all of his courses. So you can expect a discussion of painting in his music class and a discussion of architecture in his film class! Ben pursued his graduate studies at the University of Washington in the field of Comparative Literature, with an emphasis in German, American, Russian and Danish Literature, as well as literary and critical theory. He also studied the classical violin for over 20 years, receiving training at The Vancouver Academy of Music, Vancouver, B.C., Canada and Det Fynske Musikkonservatorium, Odense, Denmark. He is currently a professor in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and the Department of World Languages at Whatcom Community College, where he teaches humanities, interdisciplinary studies, music, film studies and German language courses. His most recent research interests include human evolution and the origins of symbolic representation, German Expressionist everything, the art of propaganda, bird song in science, literature and music and perfecting his version of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. Ben has previously taught for WCCCSA in Florence, Italy and Berlin, Germany. He is looking forward to building on his previous experience through new additions to an already dynamic program studying Berlin’s rich musical and cinematic traditions, as well as the city’s cutting edge contemporary scenes. As a student, Ben attended study abroad programs in Germany, Austria, France and the former Soviet Union, so he recognizes that such cultural experiences offer the possibility of great intellectual and personal transformation. Ben’s explorations with his students will provide many opportunities for such transformations.

Second faculty: Gregory S. Hinckley

As a high school student, Gregory Hinckley spent a year as an exchange student in Bonn, Germany, an experience that laid the foundation for his deep appreciation of Germany, the power of cultural exchanges to change lives, and the discipline of sociology. Greg completed his studies in anthropology and sociology at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and since 1996 has taught as a full-time Sociology faculty member at Seattle Central College. Greg believes that studying different cultural beliefs, norms, expectations and social systems provides opportunities to better understand one’s self and one’s place in the world. His student-centered pedagogy encourages a strong sense of personal responsibility and inspires students to be compassionate human beings and active agents of social change. He is excited about exploring the dynamic city of Berlin with students and searching for sociological insights about German society, ourselves and changes we hope to bring about both globally and in our own societies.