Skip to main content
Site navigation
School of American and Global Studies

Eckhard Rolz

Eckhard Rölz

Title

Professor of German and Global Studies

Office Building

Lincoln Hall

Office

231

Mailing Address

Lincoln Hall 231
School of American and Global Studies-Box 2212
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007

Biography

I teach German, the Freshman Seminar AHSS 111 and occasionally Global Studies at SDSU. I was born and raised in beautiful Bavaria (Southern Germany), and studied German literature in the U.S. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in German literature from Utah State University, a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in German literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I have been teaching all levels of German language, literature and culture courses at South Dakota State University since 2005. I also direct the summer study-abroad program to various places in Germany.
My research interests lie in the perception and depiction of childhood in German literature in the 18th and 19th century. Of special interest are fairy tales, instructional literature written for children and autobiographical novels. In addition, I research and implement innovative methods to teach languages more effectively and appeal to all learning styles.
In the past years I have taken a great interest in the “refugee crisis” in Germany and have accompanied students to work with refugees in Germany for three weeks during the summer. Consequently, I have also given a number of presentations on refugees in Germany.
I have presented papers and several keynote addresses at many national and international conferences.

Education

  • B.A. in German literature | Utah State University | 1994
  • M.A. in German literature | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 1996
  • Ph.D. in German literature | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 2000

Academic Interests

  • German language and literature
  • Language pedagogy
  • Language acquisition
  • Refugees in Germany
  • Experiential learning

Academic Responsibilities

  • Teach all levels of German language, literature and culture courses.
  • Teach Global Studies courses
  • Study abroad coordinator for Germany
  • Study abroad leader Germany

Awards and Honors

  • 2018, South Dakota World Language Association Teacher of the Year
  • 2016, Solicited $8,000 private donations used for study-abroad scholarships
  • 2015, Faculty Award for Global Engagement 
  • 2013, German 101 Outstanding Course Redesign -Teaching and Learning Center 
  • 2012, College of Arts and Sciences, Outstanding Teaching Award 
  • 2011, American Scandinavian Student Exchange International and Congress-Bundestag, Outstanding Contribution Award
  • 2011, Edward Patrick Hogan Award for Excellence in Teaching (two awards per year)
  • 2010, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Award for promoting study-abroad Central States Conference All Star Award 
  • 2009, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Award 
  • 2008, Central States Conference All Star Award
  • 2007, Best of South Dakota Presentation, South Dakota World Language Association 
  • 2005, F. O. Butler Grant for Classroom Enhancement
  • 2000, Member of the Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Work Experience

  • July 2013-present, professor, Department of Modern Languages, South Dakota State University
  • December 2008-May 2009, acting department head, Department of Modern Languages, South Dakota State University
  • July 2008-present, associate professor, Department of Modern Languages, South Dakota State University
  • August 2005-2008, assistant professor, Department of Modern Languages, South Dakota State University
  • August 2003-May 2005, visiting assistant professor, Dept. of Modern Languages, Western Kentucky University
  • August 2000-May 2003, assistant professor, Dept. of Foreign Languages, Idaho State University.
  • 1994-2000, teaching fellow, Department of Germanic Languages, UNC-Chapel Hill
  • Spring 1997, spring 1998, acting director of TA training program
  • 1996-1998, Assistant Director, Undergraduate Language Program, UNC-Chapel Hill
  • 1995-1998, teaching assistant coordinator, UNC-Chapel Hill
  • 1993-1994, lecturer, Department of German, Utah State University
  • December 2008-May 2009, acting department head, Department of Modern Languages, South Dakota State University.

Areas of Research

My research interests lie in the perception and depiction of childhood in German literature in the 18th and 19th century. Of special interest are fairy tales, instructional literature written for children, and autobiographical novels. In addition, I research and implement innovative methods to teach languages more effectively and appeal to all learning styles. In 2016 and 2017, I took SDSU students to work with refugees in Germany. We had contact with about 100 young men from 12 different countries.

Department(s)

Related Links

Open PRAIRIE