Michael Powers

Prior to joining Brown, Michael obtained his B.A. in German Studies from New College of Florida. During his undergraduate studies, Michael spent a year at the Universität Kassel taking courses on literature and film. His bachelor’s thesis was titled “Experience over Reason: Werner Herzog’s Kaspar Hauser.” Before coming to Brown to pursue graduate studies Michael spent a year in Leipzig with the Fulbright Exchange teaching English at a German Gymnasium and attending courses at the Universität Leipzig. At Brown Michael continues to explore new ways to combine his interests in visual, Marxist, aesthetic, and literary theory. These pursuits have led him to develop a strong interest in the writings and thoughts of Walter Benjamin, an author whose work spans all of Michael’s major points of interest. He is a member of the photography reading group. Other favorite writers and artists include Heinrich von Kleist, Franz Kafka, Gottfried Benn, Bertolt Brecht, John Heartfield, Werner Herzog and George Grosz.