Pia Banzhaf

Biography

Ph.D., Cultural Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston

M.A., German Studies, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Pia Banzhaf’s research lies at the intersection of art, cognition, and society. She is especially intrigued by the potential of increasing the tolerance of ambiguity in spectators through object performances by playing with core principles of animacy/inanimacy.

She received her Ph.D. in Cultural Studies for her development of a cognitive poetics of puppetry. She completed her M.A. in German Studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Pia majored in German linguistics and cultural anthropology of textile art at the University of Dortmund, Germany. Before joining MSU, Pia taught 1^st and 2^nd year German language and culture courses at Memorial University, Queen’s University, and the University of Manitoba.

She is licensed to teach in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia.

She teaches classes in 2^nd and 3^rd year German as well as classes at RCAH and the Center of Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities (IAH).