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Associate Professor Gerhard Fischer

Associate Professor
School of Humanities & Languages

Contact

9385 2327
238 Morven Brown
Fields: Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, Literature in German, Australian History (excl. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History)

Gerhard Fischer is an Associate Professor in the School of Languages and Linguistics. He is a literary scholar and historian. He studied German and French literature and theatre studies in Germany and the United States where he received an M.A. and Ph.D. in comparative literature (State University of New York, Binghamton, NY). He has taught at the Odenwaldschule in Germany, universities in New York, Minnesota and California, and at the University of Algiers; in Australia since 1977. Numerous publications on modern German literature and theatre, on Australian migration history during the 19th century, on World War I (Enemy Aliens, U of Queensland Press 1989), and on questions of multiculturalism.

Fischer has written five books and over a hundred articles in journals and academic collections. As convenor of the Sydney German Studies Symposia he has edited ten volumes of scholarly essays, including Heiner Müller. ConTEXTS and HISTORY (Tübingen 1995), Schreiben nach der Wende. Ein Jahrzehnt deutscher Literatur, 1989-1999 (with David Roberts, 2. ed. Tübingen 2007) and W.G. Sebald. Schreiben ex patria / Expatriate Writing (Amsterdam and New York 2009).

Fischer’s ‘theatrical casebook’ The Mudrooroo/Müller Project (UNSW Press, 1993) – which contains an original play by Mudrooroo, The Aboriginal Protesters Confront the Declaration of the Australian Republic on 26 January 2001 with a Production of Heiner Müller’s The Mission – was shortlisted for a NSW State Literary Award; the play, produced by Fischer in conjunction with the Performance Space for the Sydney Festival 1995 and featuring an entirely Aboriginal cast, was described as a “landmark“ in Australian theatre by the Sydney Morning Herald; following its success at the Sydney Festival, it was invited to tour to festivals in Germany (Weimar and Munich).

Fischer is currently working on a new book on internment in Australia during World War I, to be published jointly by Historic Houses Trust and UNSW Press in conjunction with an exhibition, The Enemy at Home, at the Museum of Sydney (7 May – 11 September 2011).

Gerhard Fischer is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. In 2001, he was awarded the Commonwealth Government’s Centenary Medal.

Publications

    Books

    Book Chapters

    • Fischer G;Koch G;Winter S, 2017, 'Der andere Schauplatz der Gestaltung: Blochs Theaterkonzeption', in Zimmermann RE (ed.), Ernst Bloch: Das Prinzip Hoffnung, Walter de Gruyter, Brain/Boston, pp. 152 - 174
    • Fischer G, 2014, 'Anne Frank auf dem Broadway und in Hollywood. Das Theaterstück und der Film The Diary of Anne Frank von Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett (1955/59)', in Anne Frank. Mediengeschichten., Metropol Verlag, Berlin, pp. 37 - 53, http://www.metropol-verlag.de/pp/neuerscheinungen/neu_1_2007.htm
    • Fischer G, 2014, 'On Egon Erwin Kisch's Landung in Australien as a History of Australia for Australian Students of German Studies', in Intercultural Encounters in German Studies, edn. Australian Studies in German Literature, Philosophy and Cult, Roehrig Universitaetsverlag, St. Ingbert, pp. 71 - 89, http://www.roehrig-verlag.de/products/Literaturwissenschaft/Transpositionen-Transpositions/Intercultural-Encounters-in-German-Studies.html
    • Fischer G;Vassen F, 2011, 'Collective Creativity: Traditional Patterns and New Paradigms', in Fischer G; Vassen F (ed.), Collective creativity : collaborative work in the sciences, literature and the arts, edn. Original, Rodopi, Amsterdam, pp. xi - xxv
    • Fischer G, 2011, 'Vierzig Jahre GRIPS: Konintuitaet und Wandel eines Berliner Theaters', in Deiters F-J; Fliethmann A; Weller C (ed.), Groteske Moderne - Moderne Groteske. Festschrift fuer Philip Thomson / Festschrift for Philip Thomson, edn. Original, Roehrig Universitaetsverlag, St. Ingbert, pp. 153 - 174, http://www.roehrig-verlag.de/products/Literaturwissenschaft/Transpositionen-Transpositions/Groteske-Moderne-Moderne-Groteske.html
    • Fischer G, 2009, 'Debating the German Presence’ in Australia: Notes and Research Desiderata', in Bandhauer A; Veber M (ed.), Migration and cultural contact: Germany and Australia, edn. 1, Sydney University Press, Sydney NSW, Australia, pp. 131 - 152
    • Fischer G, 2009, 'Totenhemd und Leichentuch: Metaphorik zum Thema Arbeit in Gedichten des Vormärz (Chamisso, Hood/Freiligrath, Heine)', in Deiters F-J; Fliethmann A; Lang B; Lewis A; Weller C (ed.), Limbus: Australisches Jahrbuch für germanistische Literatur- und Kulturwissenschaft / Australian Yearbook of German Literary and Cultural Studies, edn. 2, Rombach Verlag, Freiburg i. Br.BerlinVienna, pp. 51 - 70
    • Fischer G, 2009, 'Writing ex patria: W.G. Sebald and the Construction of a Literary Identity', in d'Haen T; Goerlandt I (ed.), Literature for Europe?, edn. IV, Rodopi, Amsterdam, pp. 259 - 278
    • Fischer G, 2009, 'Debating the ‘German Presence` in Australia: Notes and Research Desiderata', in Fischer G (ed.), W.G. Sebald: Schreiben ex patria / Expatriate Writing., edn. 1, Rodopi, Amsterdam and New York, pp. 121 - 143
    • Fischer G, 2009, 'W.G. Sebald`s Expatriate Experience and His Literary Beginnings', in Fischer G (ed.), W.G. Sebald: Schreiben ex patria / Expatriate Writing., edn. 1, Rodopi, Amsterdam and New York, pp. 15 - 24
    • Fischer G, 2009, 'Death Shirt and Shroud: Metaphors of Work Vormarz Poems by Chamisso/Hood/Freiligrath/Heine)', in Deiters F-J; Fliethmann A; Lang B; Lewis A; Weller C (ed.), Narratives of War, edn. 1, Rombach, Germany, pp. 51 - 70
    • Fischer G, 2008, 'Anne Frank, Naoni Kirschbaum und Inge Deutschkron auf der Buhne: Uber die Dramarisierugen judischer Madchenschicksale zur Zeit des Nationalsozialismus', in Glasenapp GV; Ewers H-H (ed.), Kriegs- und Nachkriegskindheiten, Studien zur literarischen Erinnerungskultur fur junge Leset, edn. 1, Peter Lang, Germany, pp. 163 - 178
    • Fischer G;Greiner B, 2007, 'The Play Within the Play: Scholarly Perspectives', in Fischer G; Greiner B (ed.), The Play Within the Play: The Performance of Meta-Theatre and Self-Reflection, edn. First, Rodopi Press, Amsterdam, pp. 11 - 16
    • Fischer G, 2007, 'Hans Magnus Ensenberger and the `German Question` after 1989', in Magerski C; Savage R; Weller C (ed.), Moderne begreifen. Zur Paradoxie eines sozio-ästhetischen Deutungsmusters., edn. Original, Deutscher Universitäts-Verlag, Wiesbaden, pp. 121 - 134
    • Fischer G, 2007, 'Playwrights Playing with History: The Play within the Play and German historical Drama (Buchner, Brecht, Weiss, Muller)', in Fischer G; Greiner B (ed.), The Play Within the Play: The Performance of Meta-Theatre and Self-Reflection, edn. First, Rodopi Press, Amsterdam, pp. 249 - 265
    • Fischer G, 2004, 'Self-Performance and Self-Mirroring in the Work of Erich Kaestner (1929/35, 1940, 1948)', in Fischer G (ed.), Erich Kaestner Yearbook Volume 4, Debating Kaestner. Critical Positions on a Controversial Author, edn. 1, Konigshausen & Neumann, W0rzburg, Germany, pp. 27 - 40
    • Fischer G, 2004, 'Introduction. Kaestner-Debate or Kaestner-Discourses? On the Sydney German Studies Symposium 2002', in Fischer G (ed.), Erich Kaestner Yearbook Volume 4, Debating Kaestner. Critical Positions on a Controversial Author, edn. 1, Konigshausen & Neumann, W0rzburg, Germany, pp. 9 - 16
    • Fischer G, 2003, 'Doppel-Existenzen, oder: `Fur einen Schriftsteller hat sich aber...`', in Knobloch HJ; Koopmann H (ed.), Der `gesamtdeutsche` Roman seit der Wiedervereingung, edn. First, Stauffenburg Verlag, Tubingen, pp. 77 - 97
    • Fischer G, 2003, 'Australien', in Lehmann H-T; Primavesi P (ed.), Heiner Muller Handbuch [Heiner Muller Handbook], edn. 1, Verlag J B Metzler Stuttgart, Weimar, pp. 361 - 362
    • Fischer G, 2003, 'Zement', in Lehmann H-T; Primavesi P (ed.), Heiner Muller Handbuch [Heiner Muller Handbook], edn. 1, Verlag J B Metzler Stuttgart, Weimar, pp. 298 - 302
    • Fischer G, 2002, 'Engagierte Literatur als historisch-kritische Darstellung der Gesellschaft. Zum Zeitshuck der Weimarer Republik', in Neuhaus S; Selbmann R; Unger T (ed.), Engagierte Literatur als historisch-kritische Darstellung der Gesellschaft. Zum Zeitshuck der Weimarer Republik, edn. First, Konigshausen & Neumann, Wurzburg, pp. 116 - 130
    • Fischer G, 2001, 'Der Lierat als Historiker: Zur Darstellung der Zeitgeschicjhte bei Grass und Delius', in Fischer G; Roberts D (ed.), Schreiben nach der Wende — Ein Jahrzehnt deutscher Literatur, 1989–1999, edn. Second, Stauffenburg Verlag, Tubingen, pp. 141 - 158
    • Fischer G, 2001, 'Der `fremde Blick`: Notizen, Beobachtungen und Danksagung zum 1999 Sydney German Studies Symposium', in Fischer G; Roberts D (ed.), Schreiben nach der Wende — Ein Jahrzehnt deutscher Literatur, 1989–1999, edn. Second, Stauffenburg Verlag, Tubingen, pp. 7 - 10
    • Fischer G, 2001, 'Multicultural Identities: European Perspectives', in Adventures of Identity. European Multicultural Experiences and Perspectives, edn. Original, Stauffenburg Verlag, Tubingen, pp. 9 - 16
    • Fischer G, 2000, 'Adventures of Identity', in Race, Colour and Identity in Australia and New Zealand, edn. Original, University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, Australia, pp. 3 - 20
    • Fischer G, 2000, 'Mis-taken Identity: Mudrooroo and Gordon Matthews', in Race, Colour and Identity in Australia and New Zealand, edn. Original, University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, Australia, pp. 95 - 112
    • Fischer G, 2000, 'Integration, Negative Integration, Disintegration: The Destruction of the German-Australian Community during the First World War', in Alien Justice - Wartime Internment in Australia and North America, edn. Original, University of Queensland Press, St. Lucia, Queensland Australia, pp. 1 - 27
    • Fischer G, 1999, '`Karnevalistisches Weltempfinden` und Dramaturgie der sozialen Integration: Die Komdien¿sthetik Volker Ludwigs', in Der Schriftsteller Volker Ludwig: Kabarettautor Liedtexter Stuckeschreiber, edn. Original, Alexander Verlag, Berlin, Germany, pp. 79 - 89
    • Fischer G, 1999, '`Alles hat seine Grenzen` - Volker Ludwigs literarische Anf¿nge und das Reichskabarett', in Der Schriftsteller Volker Ludwig: Kabarettautor Liedtexter Stuckeschreiber, edn. Original, Alexander Verlag, Berlin, Germany, pp. 27 - 38
    • Fischer G, 1998, 'Plädoyer für ein altmodisches Medium: Über Walter Benjamins Kunstwerk-Aufsatz und das Theater im Computerzeitalter', in Koreanische Gesellschaft fur Germanistik (ed.), Asiatische Germanistentagung 1997, edn. Original, KGG, Seoul, pp. 169 - 182
    • Fischer G, 1997, 'ImDickicht der Dorfer,oder, den plot in Butzbach suchen. Provinz als Thema und Schreibanlaß bei Delius', in F.C. Delius. Studien uber sein literarisches Werk, edn. Original, Stauffenburg Verlag, Tübingen, pp. 49 - 68
    • Fischer G, 1997, 'Desintegration: Über die Zerstorung der deutsch-australischen Community wahrend des Ersten Weltkrieges', in Migration und Integration, edn. Original, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart, pp. 121 - 143
    • Fischer G, 1995, 'Heiner Muller in Taormina, Sydney, Berlin: The Reception of a `Postmodern Classic` and the Challenge of the Present', in Heiner Muller, Contexts and history, edn. Original, Stauffenburg Verlag, Tubingen, pp. 1 - 22

    Journal articles

    Conference Papers

    • Fischer G, 2011, 'Call for Papers: The Sydney German Studies Symposium 2009', in Fischer G; Vassen F (eds.), COLLECTIVE CREATIVITY: COLLABORATIVE WORK IN THE SCIENCES, LITERATURE AND THE ARTS, EDITIONS RODOPI B V, Goethe Inst Sydney, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, pp. 355 - 359, presented at Sydney German Studies Symposium 2009, Goethe Inst Sydney, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, 23 - 26 July 2009, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000293600000026&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a
    • Fischer G, 2009, 'Introduction: WG Sebald's Expatriate Experience and His Literary Beginnings', in Fischer G (ed.), W G SEBALD: SCHREIBEN EX PATRIA/EXPATRIATE WRITING, EDITIONS RODOPI B V, Goethe Inst, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, pp. 15 - 24, presented at 8th Sydney German Studies Symposium, Goethe Inst, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, 20 - 23 July 2006, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000274972500001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a
    • Fischer G, 2009, 'Leave ex patria: W. G. Sebald and the Construction of a Literary Identity.', in Fischer G (ed.), W G SEBALD: SCHREIBEN EX PATRIA/EXPATRIATE WRITING, EDITIONS RODOPI B V, Goethe Inst, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, pp. 27 - 44, presented at 8th Sydney German Studies Symposium, Goethe Inst, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, 20 - 23 July 2006, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000274972500002&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a
    • Fischer G, 2007, '¿Flying Robert¿ Subversive pictures and texts of Jean Baptiste Regnault, Hans Magnus Enzensberger, F. K. Waechter, Eckart and Rainer Hachfeld and Heinrich Hoffmann', in XIIth Congress of German in Latin America, XIIth Congress of German in Latin America, Havana, Cuba, presented at XIIth Congress of German in Latin America, Havana, Cuba, 13 - 17 March 2006
    • Fischer G, 2004, 'Kein Interesse an Deutchland? Enzenbergers literische Arbeiten zur `deutschen Frage` vor und nach der Wende', in Bogdal KM (ed.), Das 12. Sorak-Symposium 2004, Das 12. Sorak-Symposium 2004, Osaek Green Yard Hotel, Yangyang-gun, Kangwon-do, Korea, pp. 29 - 48, presented at Das 12. Sorak-Symposium 2004, Osaek Green Yard Hotel, Yangyang-gun, Kangwon-do, Korea, 07 - 10 October 2004
    • Fischer G, 2004, 'Koreanisierung von Volker Ludwigs Linie 1', in Chul CJ (ed.), World Literature and Interculturalism, World Literature and Interculturalism, Hankuk University of Foreign studies (HUFS), Seoul, South Korea, pp. 19 - 36, presented at World Literature and Interculturalism, Hankuk University of Foreign studies (HUFS), Seoul, South Korea, 04 - 05 October 2004
    • Fischer G, 2000, 'Lokal-Theater, Welt-Theater : Uber die Exportfahigkeit dramatischer Literatur am Beispiel de Komodien Volker Ludwigs', in Asiatische Germanistentagung in Fukuoka 1999 - Schwellen uberschreitungen, Asiatische Germanistentagung in Fukuoka 1999 - Schwellen uberschreitungen, Fukuoka, Japan, presented at Asiatische Germanistentagung in Fukuoka 1999 - Schwellen uberschreitungen, Fukuoka, Japan, 21 August 1999
    • Fischer G, 1998, 'Performing Multicultural and Post-Colonial Identities', in Across the Lines, Across the Lines, pp. 215 - 236, presented at Across the Lines, 01 January 1998
    • Fischer G, 1998, 'Absage an Heiner Müller', in Gellert I; Koch G; Vaßen F (eds.), Ma?nehmen. Bertolt Brecht/Hanns Eislers Lehrstuck `Die Ma?nahme`. Kontroverse, Perspektive, Praxis, Maßnehmen. Bertolt Brecht/Hanns Eislers Lehrstück `Die Maßnahme`. Kontroverse, Perspektive, Praxis, pp. 238 - 250, presented at Maßnehmen. Bertolt Brecht/Hanns Eislers Lehrstück `Die Maßnahme`. Kontroverse, Perspektive, Praxis, 01 January 1998

Teaching and Supervision

German and European Studies

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