Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures University of Toronto

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures will be offering a wide range of English-taught topic courses in 2026-27 that are open to all students, with no prerequisites required. English-Taught Topic Courses Overview Fall 2026 GER150HF Introduction to German Culture SectionTimeInstructorLEC0101Tuesday 11-1TBA Are you curious about German culture? What comes to your mind when you think of things German? Beer and sausages, high-performance cars, the Black Forest, or a mania for efficiency? This course moves beyond these cultural stereotypes and offers a kaleidoscopic view of German culture in its varied manifestations, be it in the form of cultural artifacts, great works of literature, family histories, or big ideas. We will explore world-shaping ideas and inventions from the Reformation and the Gutenberg Press to Bauhaus and modern industrial design, the connection between the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales and their nation-building efforts, German fantasies about Indigenous North America and the longing for untouched nature, and personal narratives that grapple with the Nazi past and divided Germany. Ideal for students from across the disciplines, the course invites you to think critically about what constitutes German culture while expanding your cross-cultural understanding and global perspective.  GER230H Football and the Making of Modern Germany SectionTimeInstructorLEC0101Thursday ... Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures is pleased to offer German language courses at all levels in 2026–27, from beginner to advanced. If you already have prior knowledge of German, please contact german.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca to arrange a placement test in order to be placed into the most appropriate course level. Our courses are open not only to UofT students but also to students from recognized universities worldwide. Visiting students who wish to enrol may apply through the UofT Visiting Student Program. Already have German Language Course Overview GER100Y1/GER101H1 Introduction to German*Enrolment in GER101H1 (Winter 2027) is restricted to students who have been placed into the course through the Placement Test. This introductory German course is for students with no prior knowledge of the language. It is a year course divided into two sections. Based on a communicative and task-based approach, it is designed to develop proficiency in oral and written communication skills while providing students with knowledge and understanding of the societies and cultures of German-speaking countries. Students will develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through a variety of stimulating off- and on-line activities, both during live meetings and on the reliable online platform accompanying the textbook. Topics cover areas ... Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures is pleased to congratulate Eva Scheicher, an incoming PhD student in German Studies, on receiving the Connaught International Scholarship. Eva joins the department’s PhD program with a strong background in German language education, literary studies, and cultural research. Previously, she studied to become a teacher of German and Catholic Religion at the University of Vienna and served as a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at Lafayette College. Her dissertation project examines representations of school, authority, and powerlessness in German-language literature from the first half of the 20th century. The project explores how literary representations of school settings negotiate questions of political subject formation, discipline, and possibilities for resistance. Drawing on her experience as a teacher, Eva is particularly interested in the intersections of education, power, and democracy. Eva’s broader research interests include literary theory, pop culture, authoritarianism, and forms of political affect formation. The department warmly welcomes Eva to the German Studies PhD community! Congratulations, Eva! Read More »

We are pleased to highlight the UTEA Summer Research Experience projects of German Studies students Annika Rempel and Julien Levit, who are conducting research under the supervision of Professor Markus Stock. Both projects contribute to Professor Stock’s SSHRC-funded project, “Medieval Undergrounds.” Julien Levit: Research on Religious Mining Texts in the Early Modern Period Over the summer, Julien will be working on a UTEA-supported research project under the supervision of Professor Markus Stock. His research contributes to the SSHRC-funded project “Medieval Undergrounds,” which examines the beliefs that shaped the German relationship with mining and the underground from the Medieval to Early Modern Period. The project focuses on cataloguing the religious mining texts mentioned by Christoph Gottlob Grundig in his Geistlicher Berg-Bau (“Spiritual Mining,” 1750). These textual sources are organized into three categories: Gebet- und Gesangbücher (prayer and songbooks), Predigtbücher (sermons), and Erbauliche Betrachtungsschriften vom Bergbau (edifying writings on mining). In addition to the sources mentioned by Grundig, Julien is also gathering other relevant texts written by the authors referenced in his work. Following this initial stage of research, Julien will examine portions of these works to better understand their contents and the backgrounds of their authors. The final outcome of his ... Read More »

John Zilcosky, a professor in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures and the Centre for Comparative Literature at the University of Toronto, has been awarded the 2025 Best Article Prize by the Journal of Sport History for his article “Wrestling with My Father.” The Journal of Sport History (JSH) promotes the study of the historical, social, and cultural dimensions of sport. The Best Article Prize recognizes outstanding scholarship published in the field and highlights Professor Zilcosky’s innovative, interdisciplinary, and deeply reflective contribution to the discipline. At the annual North American Society for Sport History (NASSH) conference in Austin, Texas, Professor Daniel Nathan, editor of the JSH, offered the following laudation: The Journal of Sport History is pleased and proud to announce that the best article of 2025 is “Wrestling with My Father,” by John Zilcosky of the University of Toronto. A poignant, multi-layered meditation on a dysfunctional father-son relationship, Zilcosky’s essay is rigorous, creative, and, in the end, hopeful. It’s a compelling fusion of mythology, the Bible, literature, art, sport, history, and memoir. Zilcosky’s work is deeply personal, interdisciplinary, erudite, and signals the JSH’s embrace of bold originality and fresh creative possibilities.  Read the full article here. Read More »

The German Studies program is pleased to offer a one-day PA Day Camp for children aged 8–11. This engaging and interactive camp introduces young learners to the German language through games, creative activities, and hands-on learning experiences in a fun and supportive environment. No prior knowledge of German is required. Whether your child is completely new to the language or simply curious about exploring a different culture, this camp provides an enjoyable and stress-free introduction to German. Camp Details Date: November 20, 2026Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Location: U of T, St. George CampusCost: $95 + HSTBefore and After Care:Before Care (8:00–9:00 a.m.): $10After Care (3:00–5:00 p.m.): $20Age Group: 8–11 yearsMaximum Number of Participants: 15 Interested in Joining? Families interested in the PA Day Camp are invited to complete the Interest Form. We will contact interested families by email as soon as registration officially opens. Read More »

Enrica Piccardo, Associate Faculty in the Department of German and Full Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, recently completed a two-week visiting research stay at the Internationale Forschungsstelle für Mehrsprachigkeit (International Research Centre for Multilingualism) at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), where she held the Michael-Clyne-Forschungsprofessur (Michael Clyne Research Professorship). The Michael-Clyne-Forschungsprofessur is a prestigious visiting appointment hosted by LMU’s Internationale Forschungsstelle für Mehrsprachigkeit. Named in honour of the renowned sociolinguist Michael Clyne, the programme brings internationally recognized scholars in the fields of multilingualism and language education to Munich for research exchange, collaboration, and academic dialogue. The professorship promotes critical engagement with multilingual and plurilingual practices across diverse educational and societal contexts. During her stay, Prof. Piccardo contributed to the academic life of the centre through two invited lectures and participation in doctoral seminar. She engaged with colleagues and doctoral researchers, providing guidance, feedback, and insights on ongoing research projects. Her visit advanced scholarly exchange in multilingualism and plurilingual education while further strengthening international research collaboration between LMU and leading scholars in the field. For more information about multilingualism research at the Internationale Forschungsstelle für Mehrsprachigkeit and the Michael-Clyne-Forschungsprofessur, please visit the ... Read More »

Prof. John Zilcosky, Professor of German and Comparative Literature at the University of Toronto, has been invited to join the faculty of the Sport and Education Program: from Ancient Olympia to the Present, held at the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece. The University of Toronto has been newly added as one of the participating universities in the program, making U of T students eligible to apply alongside Harvard University, Dartmouth College, the University of Texas at Austin, and Penn State University. The program is jointly organized by the Center for Hellenic Studies (Harvard University) and the International Olympic Academy, in collaboration with Harvard Athletics, the University of Patras, and the Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sport at the University of Texas at Austin. It brings together faculty and students to explore the historical and contemporary relationship between sport and education, from ancient Olympia and the Olympic tradition to modern university athletics. Through lectures, seminars, and site-based learning in Olympia, participants engage with sport as a cultural, educational, and civic practice. The 2026 program will take place from July 6–10, 2026, in Olympia, Greece. More information is available on the official program page. Read More »

PhD Student Max Weber Receives International OGS Read More »

Faculty member Markus Stock, a professor in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, the Centre for Medieval Studies, and Principal of University College, was recently awarded the Hermann Boeschenstein Medal by German Studies Canada. Read More »