Skip to main content

Dr. Sabrina Völz

21335 Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, C5.118
Fon +49.4131.677-2664, sabrina.voelz@leuphana.de
Lecturer, Language and Culture
Associated member, Institute of English Studies

Table of contents for this page

Projects

  1. Maple Leaf & Stars and Stripes: Encountering Canada and the United States (7. Ringvorlesung)
    Maryann Henck (Project manager, academic) , Sabrina Völz (Project manager, academic) , Maria Moss (Project manager, academic)
    →

    Project: Scientific event

  2. American Studies Journal/Blog IV
    Torben Schmidt (Project manager, academic) , Sabrina Völz (Project staff) , Maryann Henck (Project staff) , Maria Moss (Project manager, academic)
    →

    Project: Other

  3. Maple Leaf & Stars and Stripes: Encountering Canada and the United States (6. Ringvorlesung)
    Maryann Henck (Project manager, academic) , Sabrina Völz (Project manager, academic) , Maria Moss (Project manager, academic)
    →

    Project: Scientific event

  4. Jewish-American Film Director Ethan Bensinger and His Documentary Refuge: Stories of the Selfhelp Home
    Sabrina Völz (Project manager, academic)
    →

    Project: Scientific event

  5. American Studies Journal and Blog
    Torben Schmidt (Project manager, academic) , Sabrina Völz (Project staff) , Maryann Henck (Project staff) , Maria Moss (Project manager, academic)
    →

    Project: Research

View all projects

Publications

Books and anthologies

  1. The Plain People: Contemporary Perspectives and Future Prospects
    Sabrina Völz (Editor) , Maria Moss (Editor) , 2017 Göttingen

    Research output: Books and anthologies › Conference proceedings › Research

  2. White-Indian Relations: Moving into the 21<sup>st</sup> Century
    Maryann Henck (Editor) , Sabrina Völz (Editor) , Maria Moss (Editor) , 2011 Berlin / Madison, WI , 234 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologies › Conference proceedings › Research

View all publications

Journal contributions

  1. The Necessity and Challenges of Researching Sexual Abuse in Amish Communities
    Sabrina Völz (Author) , 01.01.2024 , in: Journal of Mennonite Studies, 42 , p. 193-219 , 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

  2. The 'Games' People Play: The Dangers of Holocaust Simulations and Thought Experiments in Nathan Englander’s and Ellen Umansky’s Short Stories and Beyond
    Sabrina Völz (Author) , 29.12.2021 , in: Journal of the Austrian Association for America Studies, 3, 1 , p. 159-178 , 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

  3. Cultural Memory, Legal Lynching, and the Death Penalty in Ernest J. Gaines’s<i> A Lesson Before Dying </i>
    Sabrina Völz (Author) , 01.01.2020 , in: Literatur in Wissenschaft und Unterricht, 50 (2017), 3/4 , p. 155-170 , 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

  4. Review of: Toews, Miriam. 2018. Women Talking. London, UK: Faber &amp; Faber. 216pp., h/c. $24.00.
    Sabrina Völz (Author) , 01.01.2020 , in: Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies, 8, 1 , p. 101-102 , 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Critical reviews › Research

  5. Towards ‘New Memoir’: Ira Wagler’s Ex-Amish Life Narrative <i>Growing Up Amish</i>
    Sabrina Völz (Author) , 25.10.2017 , in: American Studies Journal, 63

    Research output: Journal contributions › Conference article in journal › Research › peer-review

View all publications

Contributions to collected editions/anthologies

  1. Exploring Difficult History Lessons, Identity Construction, the Artistic Expansion of Sitcom Storytelling Tools in the Black-ish Episode, "Juneteenth"
    Sabrina Völz (Author) , 01.01.2025 Lanham , p. 162-175 , 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research › peer-review

  2. Exposing Sexual Abuse among the Amish and Seeking Social Change: Misty Griffin’s Tears of the Silenced
    Sabrina Völz (Author) , 01.01.2025 Berlin, Boston , p. 183-199 , 17 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research › peer-review

  3. Bernard Malamud (1914-1986)
    Sabrina Völz (Author) , 19.01.2022 Berlin , p. 425-443 , 19 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research › peer-review

  4. Life Writing - Writing Life: A Project-Based Approach
    Sabrina Völz (Author) , 01.06.2021 Bochum , p. 228-236 , 9 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Article in conference proceedings › Education › peer-review

  5. <i>Lee Daniels' The Butler</i>: Overcoming the Transgressions of<i> Precious</i> and Negotiating the Double Bind
    Sabrina Völz (Author) , 01.01.2018 1. ed. , p. 83 - 100 , 18 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Article in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review

View all publications

Activities

  1. Exposing Sexual Abuse among the Amish and Seeking Social Change. Misty Griffin’s Tears of the Silenced (Universität Bielefeld)
    Sabrina Völz (Speaker)

    Activity: Conference Presentations › Research

  2. Talking the Talk - Walking the Walk: Race, Racism and Anti-Racism in the EFL Classroom and Beyond (Virtual Teacher Seminar: Teach about the U.S.)
    Sabrina Völz (Speaker)

    Activity: talk or presentation in privat or public events › Research

  3. Ex-Amish Memoir: An Emerging Genre?
    Sabrina Völz (Speaker)

    Activity: Guest lectures › Education

  4. Ernest J. Gaines' <i>A Lesson Before Dying</i>
    Sabrina Völz (Speaker)

    Activity: Guest lectures › Education

  5. Towards 'New Memoir': Ira Wagler's Ex-Amish Life Narrative Growing Up Amish
    Sabrina Völz (Speaker)
    →

    Activity: Conference Presentations › Research

View all activities

Press / Media

Prizes

  1. Twillo OER Offene Bildungsressource des Monats Januar 2024
    (Recipient) (Recipient) (Recipient) (Recipient) ,

    Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Education

View all prizes

Courses

Advanced Academic Writing: Crafting Precision in Style and Structure. Englisch C1/C2
Sabrina Völz
This course is for students who already write confidently in English and want to refine their academic writing skills on the C1/C2 level.

In this seminar, we will practice reading to write strategies to fine-tune your arguments and word choice while covering a few key grammar topics tailored to academia (tenses for different sections of research papers or genres, hedges for careful phrasing, and reporting verbs to blend in sources smoothly). As a class, we will then select and practice two academic genres, such as argument essays, mini lit reviews, critical responses to articles, or motivational essays/letters. Peer editing and revision techniques round out the course and help participants become more conscious of the writing process and academic style.

Participants will work on and discuss many writing activities in class. At the same time, given the heterogeneity of seminar participants, the instructor will help students develop their own writing styles and mentor them individually. Those who are willing to put in the time and effort in the class should notice significant improvement in their confidence and writing skills.
Next appointment:
Wednesday, 2026-10-14 at 12:15
Room: C 5.109 Seminarraum
Cat Got Your Tongue? – Developing Your Oral Communication Skills in English. English B2 and higher
Sabrina Völz
Are you uncomfortable speaking in English in front of a group? Do you want to say something in your classes, but can’t get the words out fast enough? Do you want to be prepared to meet workplace demands, where employees are valued for their ability to communicate? If so, then this is the course for you.

In this student-centered class, we will work on vocabulary-building strategies while improving oral fluency and proficiency skills in English. Moreover, students will practice their public speaking skills in various contexts (small talk, presentations, interviewing, etc).
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-10-12 at 12:15
Room: C 5.109 Seminarraum
Understanding Area Studies (Group 1)
Sabrina Völz
This introduction to area studies is designed to provide students with an understanding of key terminology and readings in the field of area studies. Course participants will become familiar with and learn to analyze and apply approaches to / models for interpreting culture. Practical applications and goals for the classroom will also be discussed.

This semester, we will focus on Chinonye Chukwu's Till (2022). The film is centered around Emmett Till's mother, Mamie Till-Bradley. Instead of concentrating on the violence of the brutal lynching of the 14-year-old boy from Chicago, the film evokes Mamie Till's struggle for justice as well as cultural memory and trauma. The Till murder galvanized the Civil Rights movement. This film will be used to bring all the course topics together: identity, history, memory, culture, resilience, and representation. It is required material. If you do not feel up to the challenge, read this article first "‘Emmett Till Is Anne Frank To Black America’" https://www.forbes.com/sites/briannegarrett/2020/08/26/emmett-till-is-anne-frank-to-black-america-emmett-till-murder-65th-anniversary/. If you still have concerns, take two other courses in the module.
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-10-12 at 14:15
Room: C 5.310 Seminarraum
Understanding Area Studies (Group 2)
Sabrina Völz
This introduction to area studies is designed to provide students with an understanding of key terminology and readings in the field of area studies. Course participants will become familiar with and learn to analyze and apply approaches to / models for interpreting culture. Practical applications and goals for the classroom will also be discussed.

This semester, we will focus on Chinonye Chukwu's Till (2022). The film is centered around Emmett Till's mother, Mamie Till-Bradley. Instead of concentrating on the violence of the brutal lynching of the 14-year-old boy from Chicago, the film evokes Mamie Till's struggle for justice as well as cultural memory and trauma. The Till murder galvanized the Civil Rights movement. This film will be used to bring all the course topics together: identity, history, memory, culture, resilience, and representation. It is required material. If you do not feel up to the challenge, read this article first "‘Emmett Till Is Anne Frank To Black America’" https://www.forbes.com/sites/briannegarrett/2020/08/26/emmett-till-is-anne-frank-to-black-america-emmett-till-murder-65th-anniversary/. If you still have concerns, take two other courses in the module.
Next appointment:
Wednesday, 2026-10-14 at 10:15
Room: C 12.002 Seminarraum
US History: The Long Sixties (GHR only)
Sabrina Völz
This seminar takes a look at the social, political, and cultural themes in the United States in a turbulent time in American history from multiple perspectives, analyzing both high and popular culture, mainstream and marginalized voices.

Next appointment:
Tuesday, 2026-10-13 at 16:15
Room: C 5.310 Seminarraum
Writing With Style: Discovering Your Academic Voice in English. English C1
Sabrina Völz
Will you write your bachelor thesis in English and are not quite sure if you're ready? Will you need to write an assignment or essay in English for one of your classes this semester? Do you want to become proficient with AI-based and/or digital tools in English? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you may want to take this class.

Just as students need to know the fundamentals of math to use the calculator properly, academics need certain skills to make the most out of a seemingly unending amount of AI-driven writing tools. In this class, we'll explore the fundamentals of academic writing and the possibilities of digital and/or AI-driven tools.

Further topics include recognizing quality writing, including producing knock-out introductions and conclusions, making the most of citations, examining personal bias and positionality (how one's identity affects their writing and research), and critically revising one's own work. Finally, we'll also take a closer look at matters of style and creative language use.

Participants will work on and discuss many writing activities in class. At the same time, due to the heterogeneity of seminar participants, the instructor will assist students in developing their own writing styles and mentor them individually. Those who are willing to put the time and effort into the class should notice a great improvement in their confidence and writing skills.
Next appointment:
Thursday, 2026-10-15 at 14:15
Room: C 5.111 Seminarraum