Andrea K. Zach
Andrea K. Zach
Associate Professor
Political economy, German contemporary films, critical theory, immigration, theories of nationalism & citizenship.
Dr. Zach holds a joined appointment as Term Associate Professor of Global Affairs and German Studies. She received her B.A. from Marymount University (Liberal Studies), a M.A. in Sociology from George Mason University and a Ph.D. from George Mason University (Cultural Studies). She had a fellowship from the University of Minnesota and a grant from Global Islamic Studies. Her paper "Memorial of the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin" won an award at the Źižek Conference.
In her scholarship, Dr. Zach is an interdisciplinary researcher in the study of political economy, human rights, migration, citizenship, and diaspora. She combines these interests with her training in critical theory and philosophy to interrogate and contribute to multiple fields of inquiry.
Dr. Zach is currently working on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in refugee mental health and in the field of LGBTQ+ asylum laws in Germany/Europe. She is also pursuing a Juris Master degree with a focus on International Law at the Antonin Scalia Law School in Arlington, VA.
At Mason, Dr. Zach has taught a variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her special topics teaching has focused on the refugee crisis in German/Europe.
Dr. Zach has a long and distinguished record of service to her departments, college, university and profession.
Selected Publications
"Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin: The Spectacular [A]ffect of Vergangenheitsbewältigung." International Journal of Zizek Studies 6, no. 2 (2012).
Grants and Fellowships
George Mason University, Stipend to develop INYO 105 for Mason Korea, 2018
George Mason University, Ali Vural Ak Research Grant, Global Islamic Studies, 2015
Trans-Atlantic Summer Institute in European Studies Fellow, 2013
George Mason University, Interdisciplinary Curriculum Collaborate Scholarship, 2013
George Mason University, Ph.D. Program Stipend, Cultural Studies, 2013–2014
George Mason University, Teaching Fellowship, MCL, 2012
Finalist, Paper Award: Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin: The
Spectacular [A]ffect of ‘Vergangenheitsbewältigung’, Žižek Conference, 2012
George Mason University, Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Sociology, 2012
Marymount University, Literature & Languages, M.A. Program Funding, 2007 – 2008
Marymount University, 1st Price, “Gypsy Souls,” BlueInk Literary Arts Magazine, 2007
Courses Taught
GLOA 600: Global Competencies
GLOA 400: Capstone
GLOA 400: Refugee Crisis in Europe
GLOA 400: Nationalism in Modern Europe
FRLN 330: German Medieval Civilization, Literature and Culture
FRLN 330: Topics in World Literature: The Magic Mountain
GERM 365: Reading Narrative Prose
GERM 340: (Post)Memories: Transnational & Transcultural Imaginations in Literature and Film after the Wende
GERM 250: Gateway to Advanced German
GERM 210: Intermediate German
GERM 201: Intermediate German I
GERM 202: Intermediate German II
GERM 110: Elementary German
INYO 106: Research Methods for International Students
INYO 105: American Cultures (in-class and online)
PROV 504: Accelerated Introduction to Graduate Studies
PROV 502: Introduction to Graduate Studies I
BIS 491: Senior Project Presentation
BIS 390: The Research Process
CULT 320: Globalization and Culture
GLOA 101: Introduction to Global Affairs
Education
Ph.D. Cultural Studies, George Mason University, 2017
M.A. Sociology, George Mason University, 2012
B.A. Liberal Studies, Marymount University, 2007
Recent Presentations
"BurkaBondage—A Utopian Queer Performance," 9th Global Summit on Feminist and LGBTQ+ Studies, Vancouver, Canada, November 3—4, 2025.
Chair, COVID-19 Body Politics, Cultural Studies Association Conference, 2021.
“Bodies and Anti-Bodies in Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain.” Cultural Studies Association Conference, Virtual Session, June 10—June 12, 2021.
Attendee, Global Virginia Summit, 2020.
"Subsidiarity: A Strategic Umfunktionierung of the 'national' film." Cultural Studies Association Annual Conference, Tulane University, LO, June 2019.
"The German idea heimat and the 'policing of crisis' in Germany/Europe." Cultural Studies Association Annual Conference, University of Villanova, PA, June 2016.