معرفی
Shiva Rahmani serves as an Assistant Instructional Professor in the Department of Germanic Studies within the University of Chicago's Humanities Collegiate Division, where she has taught German language courses from novice to advanced levels since 2018. Her academic journey spans institutions across Iran, Germany, and the United States, with teaching roles at Purdue University and the Goethe Institute Chicago complementing her current position.
Education:
- MA in Germanic Studies, Purdue University (2014)
- MA in German (Translation Science), University of Tehran (2011)
- BA in German Literature, Shahid Beheshti University (2008)
- Associate in Applied Science (Fashion Design)
Rahmani's research pioneers the integration of artificial intelligence into language pedagogy, exploring how tools like ChatGPT can create personalized learning experiences while examining domain-specific language needs for study abroad contexts. Her work bridges traditional language instruction with digital innovation through comics, memes, and interactive platforms, consistently addressing cross-cultural communication challenges and religious history's influence on German literature. This interdisciplinary approach has positioned her at the forefront of modern language education methodology.
Her recent publications and presentations reveal a clear trajectory toward technology-enhanced language acquisition, with 2023-2024 works focusing intensely on AI applications while maintaining foundational work in visual literacy (comics/memes) and curriculum design. This evolution demonstrates both responsiveness to emerging technologies and continuity in her core mission of making language learning culturally immersive and accessible.
Scientific Recognition:
- Excellence Graduate Teacher Certificate (Purdue Teaching Academy)
- ACTFL OPI Tester Certification
- Goethe Institute Examiner Certification (Prüferzertifikat)
- National Foreign Language Resource Center Digital Badge
Rahmani actively cultivates learning communities through initiatives like virtual coffee hours connecting students with global institutions, cross-university conversation consortia, and digital platforms including ProjectDeutschIG and DeutsCHIgUeberall. Her grant-supported work has developed innovative courses such as "Deutschlandreise" and "Germany Heute," while her current IRB-certified research explores AI's pedagogical efficacy with emphasis on personalized learning pathways and cultural competency development.
She leads the German Club and has established Creative Language Experiences labs focused on domain analysis for study abroad contexts, alongside developing a psychology course titled "Psycho-Cultural Exploration: Unraveling Identity through German Lens." Her collaborative projects with Jamie Rankin on the der/die/das platform demonstrate commitment to creating immersive, technology-integrated language environments that bridge classroom learning with real-world application.
