Experience Summary
I earned the doctorate in Contemporary History at Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich. I completed graduate work in ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary history as well as in German literature from medieval times to present.
In 1996 I moved to the United States. In 1997 I taught two classes in French beginner and intermediary as well as world history at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. In Fall 2000 I was hired as Visiting Assistant Professor of German Studies at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta. In 2004 I became the Program Director of German Studies and carried out administrative responsibilities alongside teaching and research, through June 2007. My broad training as a historian enabled me to teach both world history surveys at GCSU. At Agnes Scott I taught German at all levels, but also history at the 300-level as a replacement for history faculty on sabbatical. I integrated history in all the culture courses and guided several German majors in independent studies using topics of history such as a survey on the European Union from 1945 to 2007. I have adapted to teach in different fields in the United States and I have worked myself in different areas of history. In 2009 I was writing two articles on China in the 20th century. I can offer several experiences as preparation to teach courses in the history of the United States and the Modern Middle East. In the process of writing my dissertation, I studied the role of the United States in the Second World War and worked extensively with primary sources of the US military. The history of Islam is also a major part of the World Survey courses I have taught repeatedly.
In my face-to-face classes I used Blackboard as an online management system on a regular basis for all my courses, and became familiar with WebCT/Vista as well.
In 2012 I finished a post-graduate level course in German as a Foreign Language at the University of Kassel.
Teaching Style
My style is very personable and friendly. I like young people and I feel privileged to be able to teach the new generation. i believe my specific international background is interesting and inspiring to my students. It is my experience that my students feel comfortable with me and are not intimidated. I want to create a wholesome atmosphere which allows to open the mind for challenging topics and help the student to progress and learn the subject area. I focus on the specific situation of each individual students and work with their own textbooks and material to help them to receive better grades.
My Hobbies
Reading literature in English, German and French, going on walks with my two dogs, doing Yoga to keep fit and above all spending time with my family.
Other Comments
Everybody carries in himself an image of what he wants to became. As long as he has not realized this, his life will not be fulfilled.
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
French |
Proficiency: Experienced
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Fluency in French, study of Romanesque Languages at a European university. Teaching beginner and intermediary level for high school students. |
German |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
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Native speaker of German, university degree in German as a Foreign Language, many years of experience in the United States as German language teacher at all levels. German literature, culture, history and expertise in European Union. |
World History |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
Instructor of World History at college level. All areas of World History from Prehistory to 20th Century. Ph.D. in History. |