Nicole Fischer, MA

Nicole Fischer is a Ph.D. candidate in the German Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her dissertation project utilizes an ecocritical approach to analyze Novalis’ work and the role of materiality. It exemplifies how we can use historical authors and their œuvre to reflect on current ecological problems and how literature can be activated as a powerful tool to bring change. In addition to working on her dissertation project, Nicole completed a minor in the field of SLA and a Certificate in Environmental Humanities (Center for Culture, History, and the Environment) at UW-Madison. In 2016, Nicole Fischer graduated from the University of Regensburg. Her majors were German, Physical Education, and English as part of her teacher training. In 2012, she received an MA in German Studies from Vanderbilt University (Nashville/TN). Her thesis focused on Novalis, his Heinrich von Ofterdingen, and the philosophy of nature of the German epoch of Romanticism.

RCC Project: Novalis and Materiality: Analyzing, Contextualizing, and Fructifying the Romantic Writer from an Ecocritical Perspective

Selected Publications:

• “Von der Komparsin zur Hauptdarstellerin: Naturdarstellungen in Novalis‘ Jugendnachlass und ihre Bedeutung für sein späteres Werk.” (forthcoming).
• 2021. “Teaching Self-Regulated Learning in Combination with Sustainability and Community Engagement.” Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German 54, no.2 (Fall): 287–302.
• 2012. “Das Stück richtig lesen lernen: Überlegungen zum Deutschunterricht.” In Büchner Lektüren für Dieter Sevin, edited by Barbara Hahn, 93–111. Hildesheim u.a.: Olms.