Nick Ostrau was born in Bremerhaven, Germany. In 2002, he completed his undergraduate studies at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich and moved to the U.S. In 2006, he received his Master's degree in German from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. In 2011, Nick received his PhD in German from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is currently teaching as a full-time lecturer of German at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. Nick has taught many German language, literature, and culture classes in both German and in English. He has also taught Business German for Daimler Chrysler Corporation, as well as individual and small group classes for relocating families and adult learners. Nick's research interests include Arthurian romance narratives, folk and fairy tales, childhood studies, the Middle Ages in film, as well as readings from the Romantic era. In his free time, Nick enjoys cooking for his family, reading, and photography.
Courses
Courses offered in the past four years.
▲ indicates offered in the current term
▹ indicates offered in the upcoming term[s]
GRMN 3101 - Elementary German
Daily activities include four hours of classroom instruction, plus additional work in the language laboratory and computer center. Emphasis will be placed on the grammatical structures of German as well as on conversation and correct pronunciation. Reading comprehension skills are introduced through primary texts, including literature. Throughout the program, audio-visual presentations supplement regular classroom activities.
Required Text: Dollenmayer, David and Hansen, Thomas: Neue Horizonte: Introductory German 7th edition. Publisher: Heinle Cengage
Note: All students who have prior knowledge of German and want to be placed beyond the Elementary German level (101-102-103) are required to take an analytical placement examination involving all four skills. On the basis of the test results, students will be advised concerning their course selections.
LNGSummer 2011
GRMN 3102 - Elementary German
Daily activities include four hours of classroom instruction, plus additional work in the language laboratory and computer center. Emphasis will be placed on the grammatical structures of German as well as on conversation and correct pronunciation. Reading comprehension skills are introduced through primary texts, including literature. Throughout the program, audio-visual presentations supplement regular classroom activities.
Required Text: Dollenmayer, David and Hansen, Thomas: Neue Horizonte: Introductory German 7th edition. Publisher: Heinle Cengage
Note: All students who have prior knowledge of German and want to be placed beyond the Elementary German level (101-102-103) are required to take an analytical placement examination involving all four skills. On the basis of the test results, students will be advised concerning their course selections.
EUR LNGSummer 2011
GRMN 3103 - Elementary German
Daily activities include four hours of classroom instruction, plus additional work in the language laboratory and computer center. Emphasis will be placed on the grammatical structures of German as well as on conversation and correct pronunciation. Reading comprehension skills are introduced through primary texts, including literature. Throughout the program, audio-visual presentations supplement regular classroom activities.
Required Text: Dollenmayer, David and Hansen, Thomas: Neue Horizonte: Introductory German 7th edition. Publisher: Heinle Cengage
Note: All students who have prior knowledge of German and want to be placed beyond the Elementary German level (101-102-103) are required to take an analytical placement examination involving all four skills. On the basis of the test results, students will be advised concerning their course selections.
LNGSummer 2011
GRMN 3201 - Intermediate German ▹
This is an integrated program consisting of four hours of classroom instruction and some work in the language laboratory. To develop the four skills, students take three basic courses: Grammar Review, Composition and Conversation, German Culture and Life, plus one literature module for each half of the term.
Required texts: Rankin & Wells, Handbuch zur Deutschen Grammatik,5th Edition (Houghton & Mifflin); Heller & Ehrlich, Dichter, Denker, Erzähler (Waveland Press, 1989); Generation E (Klett)
LNGSummer 2011, Summer 2012
GRMN 3202 - Intermediate German ▹
This is an integrated program consisting of four hours of classroom instruction and some work in the language laboratory. To develop the four skills, students take three basic courses: Grammar Review, Composition and Conversation, German Culture and Life, plus one literature module for each half of the term.
Required texts: Rankin & Wells, Handbuch zur Deutschen Grammatik,5th Edition (Houghton & Mifflin); Heller & Ehrlich, Dichter, Denker, Erzähler (Waveland Press, 1989); Generation E (Klett)
LNGSummer 2011, Summer 2012
GRMN 3203 - Intermediate German ▹
This is an integrated program consisting of four hours of classroom instruction and some work in the language laboratory. To develop the four skills, students take three basic courses: Grammar Review, Composition and Conversation, German Culture and Life, plus one literature module for each half of the term.
Required texts: Rankin & Wells, Handbuch zur Deutschen Grammatik,5th Edition (Houghton & Mifflin); Heller & Ehrlich, Dichter, Denker, Erzähler (Waveland Press, 1989); Generation E (Klett)
Summer 2011, Summer 2012
GRMN 3205 - Inter German for Singers ▹
Intermediate German for Singers
Daily activities include two hours of grammar review, conversation, and composition practice to develop the four basic language skills. Pronunciation and diction are an integral part of this course, which also requires some activities in the language laboratory and the computer center.
Required texts: Wells, Handbuch der deutschen Grammatik, 3rd ed. (Houghton Mifflin); Irene Motyl-Mudretzkyj & Michaela Spainghaus: Anders Gedacht (Houghton Mifflin); Spaethling/Weber, Literatur Eins (W.W. Norton); Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Der Besuch der alten Dame (Houghton Mifflin).
Summer 2011, Summer 2012
GRMN 3206 - Inter German for Singers ▹
Intermediate German for Singers
Daily activities include two hours of grammar review, conversation, and composition practice to develop the four basic language skills. Pronunciation and diction are an integral part of this course, which also requires some activities in the language laboratory and the computer center.
Required texts: Wells, Handbuch der deutschen Grammatik, 3rd ed. (Houghton Mifflin); Irene Motyl-Mudretzkyj & Michaela Spainghaus: Anders Gedacht (Houghton Mifflin); Spaethling/Weber, Literatur Eins (W.W. Norton); Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Der Besuch der alten Dame (Houghton Mifflin).
Summer 2011, Summer 2012
