Nominated by colleagues, current students, and alumni, Buchanan is noted for a teaching style that exudes infectious energy and enthusiasm—contagious to both students and colleagues.
Tammy Berberi, assistant professor of French, states: "Sarah is a passionate and capable teacher…popular and highly respected.”
A member of the UMM faculty since 2000, Buchanan teaches a variety of courses including French, French Cinema,West African Francophone Cinema, Contemporary France, and Feminist Theory. She leads two study abroad programs: Morocco: Myth, Stories, History and July in Paris. An avid study abroad advocate, she says, “Americans can travel four or five days before entering another country. We risk being rather insular. It is therefore vital for Americans to go abroad, to learn about other people, their histories, their cultures, their languages, and their ways of solving problems. Living and studying in another country pushes one intellectually and individually, but even more important, it’s fun!”
Buchanan earned a doctorate in 20th century francophone literature and film from the University of Minnesota; a master of arts in French literature from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City; and a bachelor of arts in French from St. Olaf College, Northfield.
(From the 2007 news story)
