معرفی
Richard Block is an Associate Professor in the Department of Germanics at the University of Washington. He holds affiliations with the Program in Jewish Studies, the Graduate Program in Theory and Criticism, and the European Studies Advisory Board. His academic journey includes teaching positions at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster. Block earned a PhD in German Literature and Critical Theory from Northwestern University (1998), an MA in German Studies from the University of Washington (1980), and a BA from Duke University (1975).
His research explores intersections of literature, philosophy, and history, with a focus on queer studies, German-Jewish relations, and environmental humanities. Notable works include The Spell of Italy: Vacation, Magic and the Attraction of Goethe (2006) and contributions to edited volumes such as The Spirit of Poesy (2000). Current projects investigate queer messianism in 19th-century German literature.
Block’s teaching spans Jewish-German relations, Holocaust studies, and environmental humanities. He has directed dissertations on topics ranging from refugee narratives to spatiality in German literature. Awards include the Northwestern University Teaching Award (1996-97) and a Simpson Center Fellowship (2005-06).
- Education:
- PhD, German Literature/Critical Theory, Northwestern University (1998)
- MA, German Languages and Literature, University of Washington (1980)
- BA, Duke University (1975)
His scholarly articles and reviews engage deeply with authors like Kleist, Goethe, Nietzsche, and Trakl, emphasizing queer readings, textual analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches. Block actively participates in professional organizations, including the MLA and German Studies Association, and has organized conferences on topics like Heine and Goethe studies.
