Janet Hegman Shier

Janet Hegman Shier, Lecturer Emerita, served as Director of the RC German Program where she taught intensive German and German Theater. She is founder and director of RC Deutsches Theater, a company that has staged over 30 multi-media German language performances since 1985. Shier has published and presented invited talks and workshops on foreign language theater, teaching through the arts, and journaling. She has served on the Executive Board for the oldest study abroad program (Junior Year in Munich), and has received awards from UM for teaching, advising, and creative work. She has been awarded many grants for interdisciplinary work and for short-term immersion programs linking overseas travel to the curriculum. She has designed and led UM undergraduates on 15 integrated theater and arts trips to Germany, including some with a focus on tutoring at-risk immigrant youth in Neukölln (Berlin). In addition to teaching German, Shier has taught First Year Seminar, “Women’s Health Awareness” and “Cultures in Dialogue”, each with a focus on performing the self and the self as Other. Shier has brought numerous guest artists to UM to work with students, including: German Jewish and Muslim hip hop artists promoting anti-discrimination; peace activists, film-makers, actors; musicians; and dancers.

Read the announcement of Janet's retirement, including a tribute by RC Director, Catherine Badgley, several photos, and Janet's reflections.