معرفی
Joachim Knape, born on April 12, 1950, in Heiligenstadt (Thuringia), is a Professor of General Rhetoric at the University of Tübingen, where he has been teaching since 1991. He serves within the Faculty of Philosophy, specifically in the Department of Philosophy - Rhetoric - Media, directing the Seminar for General Rhetoric. Knape previously served as dean of the Tübingen Faculty of Modern Languages from 2004 to 2009 and as spokesperson for the Department of Philosophy – Rhetoric – Media from 2010 to 2014. Since 2018, he has held a senior professorship for general rhetoric.
- University of Tübingen: Professor of Rhetoric (1991-present)
- University of Tübingen: Dean of Faculty of Modern Languages (2004-2009)
- German Academic Scholarship Foundation: Liaison lecturer (until 2017)
Knape earned his doctorate in Göttingen in 1982 with a thesis on the history of the concept of 'history' and completed his habilitation in Bamberg in 1988 on Sebastian Brant, the German humanist (1457-1521). His academic journey began with studies in German, political science, philosophy, and Catholic theology in Göttingen, Regensburg, and Bamberg starting in 1970. Prior to his appointment at Tübingen, he worked as an assistant in Regensburg (Modern German Studies) and Bamberg (Old German Studies) until 1991.
Professor Knape's research spans multiple dimensions of rhetoric and its historical development. His work demonstrates particular expertise in Renaissance humanism, with a sustained scholarly focus on Sebastian Brant, the author of the famous 'Ship of Fools' (Narrenschiff). His research interests extend to visual rhetoric, media theory, text theory, and ambiguity studies, with significant contributions to understanding how rhetorical principles operate across different media and historical periods. Recent publications reveal growing interest in digital rhetoric and the transformation of textual authority in the digital age, as well as continued exploration of Dadaist anti-text strategies and the philosophical dimensions of representation.
Knape's scholarly output reveals evolving research trajectories. Early work centered on medieval and early modern German literature and rhetoric, particularly focusing on Sebastian Brant. Over time, his research expanded to encompass broader theoretical questions about rhetoric's relationship to media, visualization, and ambiguity. His most recent publications demonstrate sophisticated integration of historical rhetorical theory with contemporary concerns about digital media, visual communication, and the philosophical challenges of representation. The consistent thread throughout his career has been a deep engagement with how rhetorical principles shape and are shaped by their cultural and technological contexts.
Professor Knape has supervised numerous doctoral students and has been instrumental in developing rhetoric as an academic discipline at Tübingen. His leadership in establishing the Seminar for General Rhetoric has created a significant center for rhetorical studies in Germany. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the available materials, his extensive publication record across multiple prestigious academic series suggests successful research funding throughout his career.
Knape has directed the Seminar for General Rhetoric at the University of Tübingen for over thirty years, fostering a vibrant research community focused on historical and contemporary aspects of rhetorical theory. His work has particularly emphasized the intersection of rhetoric with visual culture, media studies, and textual theory, creating interdisciplinary connections across traditional academic boundaries.