Dr. Bernd Balzer

Biography

Bernd Balzer studied German Studies, English Studies, and Philosophy at the Free University of Berlin, where he completed his doctorate in 1972. He served as a research assistant from 1969 to 1974, was an assistant professor from 1974 to 1978, and has been a full professor since 1978. Balzer has held visiting professorships at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and at Peking University in China. His research focuses on German literature from the 16th to the 20th centuries, with particular attention to theatre and reception aesthetics between 1945 and 1951. His work includes significant publications on Heinrich Böll and the literary context of the post-war period in Germany. Balzer's contributions to the field emphasize the intersection of literary studies with history and cultural criticism, making him a notable figure in contemporary German literary scholarship.

Research Interests