Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures University of Toronto

The iPRAKTIKUM futurGenerator program offers German learners the opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting through internships with partner organizations across Germany. Since 2019, more than 25 students have participated in this enriching experience—18 in Freiburg, 8 in Berlin, and 1 in Leipzig. Through hands-on work and cultural immersion, they have gained valuable professional insights and deepened their connection to German language and society. In this spotlight, we share the stories of past participants and how this program has shaped their academic and career journeys. Rudy Yuana 3rd-year student who interned with Agrikultur e.V. through iPRAKTIKUM. Rudy is now pursuing a research paper on how agroecological practices can strengthen food security in the face of uncertain global trade.  Renee Asoro4th year student Renee Asoro appreciated the flexibility that the iPRAKTIKUM futurGenerator summer internship program provided which allowed her to set her own goals and have enriching and unforgettable experiences outside of her placement.After completing her futurGenerator internship with Die Agronauten e.V. in Freiburg, Germany, Renee went on to complete the DAAD Research Internship in Science and Engineering (RISE) program in Bonn. Renee credits her iPRAKTIKUM experience for encouraging and preparing her to pursue further research and education opportunities in ... Read More »

The iPRAKTIKUM futurGenerator program offers German learners the opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting through internships with partner organizations across Germany. Since 2019, more than 25 students have participated in this enriching experience—18 in Freiburg, 8 in Berlin, and 1 in Leipzig. Through hands-on work and cultural immersion, they have gained valuable professional insights and deepened their connection to German language and society. In this spotlight, we share the stories of past participants and how this program has shaped their academic and career journeys. Rudy Yuana 3rd-year student who interned with Agrikultur e.V. through iPRAKTIKUM. Rudy is now pursuing a research paper on how agroecological practices can strengthen food security in the face of uncertain global trade.  Renee Asoro4th year student Renee Asoro appreciated the flexibility that the iPRAKTIKUM futurGenerator summer internship program provided which allowed her to set her own goals and have enriching and unforgettable experiences outside of her placement.After completing her futurGenerator internship with Die Agronauten e.V. in Freiburg, Germany, Renee went on to complete the DAAD Research Internship in Science and Engineering (RISE) program in Bonn. Renee credits her iPRAKTIKUM experience for encouraging and preparing her to pursue further research and education opportunities in ... Read More »

For Maxx Calame, a first-year student and self-proclaimed vampire connoisseur, enrolling in GER194H Our Vampires, Ourselves was a defining factor in choosing the University of Toronto. This captivating course, taught by Professor Erol Boran, delves into the cultural and historical significance of vampires, examining how these immortal figures reflect societal fears, desires, and transformations. With a syllabus that spans classic and contemporary vampire tales—Dracula, Carmilla, True Blood, Twilight, and more—students explore the ever-evolving nature of these creatures. “Vampires change with the times, but very often they’re presented as out of time,” says Professor Boran, highlighting the paradox that keeps vampires endlessly fascinating. The course offers students the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions, analyze literary and cinematic depictions of vampires, and consider how these figures serve as mirrors of our own experiences. Whether students arrive as long-time enthusiasts of vampire lore or as newcomers to the genre, GER194H promises a fresh and compelling perspective on these legendary beings. Read more about this fantastic course in A&S News by Cynthia Macdonald. Read More »

For Maxx Calame, a first-year student and self-proclaimed vampire connoisseur, enrolling in GER194H Our Vampires, Ourselves was a defining factor in choosing the University of Toronto. This captivating course, taught by Professor Erol Boran, delves into the cultural and historical significance of vampires, examining how these immortal figures reflect societal fears, desires, and transformations. With a syllabus that spans classic and contemporary vampire tales—Dracula, Carmilla, True Blood, Twilight, and more—students explore the ever-evolving nature of these creatures. “Vampires change with the times, but very often they’re presented as out of time,” says Professor Boran, highlighting the paradox that keeps vampires endlessly fascinating. The course offers students the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions, analyze literary and cinematic depictions of vampires, and consider how these figures serve as mirrors of our own experiences. Whether students arrive as long-time enthusiasts of vampire lore or as newcomers to the genre, GER194H promises a fresh and compelling perspective on these legendary beings. Read more about this fantastic course in A&S News by Cynthia Macdonald. Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures is pleased to announce the publication of Alternative Temporalities: The Emancipatory Power of Narrative, co-authored by Teresa Valentini, Angela Weiser, and John Zilcosky. About the Authors:John Zilcosky is professor of German and Comparative Literature at the University of Toronto. He has won the MLA’s Scaglione Book Award and the Humboldt Foundation’s Bessel Research Prize. Zilcosky is a 2013 fellow of the US National Endowment for the Humanities and a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow. Teresa Valentini is a recent PhD graduate from the Centre for Comparative Literature at the University of Toronto and the recipient of the two-year Faculty of Arts and Science Postdoctoral Fellowship Award at the University of Toronto. Her recent articles have appeared in Forum for Modern Language Studies, the James Joyce Quarterly, and Quaderni di Italianistica. Angela Weiser is a writer and editor and holds an MA in Comparative Literature from the University of Toronto. Her projects include research assistance for the book Cloth that Changed the World: The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz (Yale and Royal Ontario Museum, 2020) and corresponding exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum. About Alternative Temporalities: The Emancipatory Power of Narrative: Alternative temporalities have often emerged as a reaction to the normativizing force of time, ... Read More »

You are warmly invited to an academic presentation by Astrid Klee, PhD candidate in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures.Presentation Title:Representations of Mental Illness in the Patient Cases of Emil Kraepelin’s Einführung in die Psychiatrische Klinik (Introduction to Psychiatric Practice)Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025Time: 4:00 PMLocation: Odette Hall, Room 323About the Speaker: Astrid Klee’s research is a starting point for reassessing the descriptions of normative behaviour and deviance from norms within the context of psychiatric cases and how these preconceptions extend into current language use. Scientific language is used to convey a sense that what is written is incontrovertible fact, and this research not only provides insight into the use and manipulation of language in cases of insanity but also re-evaluates perceptions of otherness within culture. Presentation Description:In her dissertation project, Klee demonstrates how an examination of patient cases presented in Kraepelin’s Einführung in die Psychiatrische Klinik not only reveals the logic of Kraepelin’s development of a system of categorization, it also reveals a subtext of cultural and personal preconceptions.Emil Kraepelin (1856-1926), whom some consider to be the father of modern psychiatry, is credited with developing the psychiatric classification system that is still used today. The latest version of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and ... Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures is pleased to announce the publication of Alternative Temporalities: The Emancipatory Power of Narrative, co-authored by Teresa Valentini, Angela Weiser, and John Zilcosky. About the Authors:John Zilcosky is professor of German and Comparative Literature at the University of Toronto. He has won the MLA’s Scaglione Book Award and the Humboldt Foundation’s Bessel Research Prize. Zilcosky is a 2013 fellow of the US National Endowment for the Humanities and a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow. Teresa Valentini is a recent PhD graduate from the Centre for Comparative Literature at the University of Toronto and the recipient of the two-year Faculty of Arts and Science Postdoctoral Fellowship Award at the University of Toronto. Her recent articles have appeared in Forum for Modern Language Studies, the James Joyce Quarterly, and Quaderni di Italianistica. Angela Weiser is a writer and editor and holds an MA in Comparative Literature from the University of Toronto. Her projects include research assistance for the book Cloth that Changed the World: The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz (Yale and Royal Ontario Museum, 2020) and corresponding exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum. About Alternative Temporalities: The Emancipatory Power of Narrative: Alternative temporalities have often emerged as a reaction to the normativizing force of time, ... Read More »

Dear All,You are warmly invited to an academic presentation by Maria Harutyunyan, a PhD candidate in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures.Presentation Title:On a Journey of Virtue: Philanthropy, Female Middle-Class Agency, and Social Distinction in 18th and 19th Century Women’s NovelsDate: Thursday, January 16, 2025Time: 4:00 PMLocation: Odette Hall, Room 323About the Speaker: Maria Harutyunyan’s research focuses on the representation of female middle-class agency and distinction with relation to philanthropy in the works of women authors from the late 18th to the mid-19th centuries. Her objective is to illuminate the interconnection between philanthropy and the agency of women of the middle class from the perspective of women writers of the early industrial period.  About the Presentation:“Oh, if the love of my fellow-creatures had not stuck its roots so deeply in my heart as to be incorporated with my very self-love, what would have become of me?” (LaRoche, 135).In Sophie von LaRoche’s 18th-century novel, the intricate relationship between self-love and love for others plays a pivotal role in the character development of the protagonist, Sophie Sternheim. This dynamic is reflected in the concept of philanthropy, which reveals the complexities of human nature by highlighting the tension between altruism and egoism. The notion of altruistic ... Read More »

Dear All,You are warmly invited to an academic presentation by Maria Harutyunyan, a PhD candidate in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures.Presentation Title:On a Journey of Virtue: Philanthropy, Female Middle-Class Agency, and Social Distinction in 18th and 19th Century Women’s NovelsDate: Thursday, January 16, 2025Time: 4:00 PMLocation: Odette Hall, Room 323About the Speaker: Maria Harutyunyan’s research focuses on the representation of female middle-class agency and distinction with relation to philanthropy in the works of women authors from the late 18th to the mid-19th centuries. Her objective is to illuminate the interconnection between philanthropy and the agency of women of the middle class from the perspective of women writers of the early industrial period.  About the Presentation:“Oh, if the love of my fellow-creatures had not stuck its roots so deeply in my heart as to be incorporated with my very self-love, what would have become of me?” (LaRoche, 135).In Sophie von LaRoche’s 18th-century novel, the intricate relationship between self-love and love for others plays a pivotal role in the character development of the protagonist, Sophie Sternheim. This dynamic is reflected in the concept of philanthropy, which reveals the complexities of human nature by highlighting the tension between altruism and egoism. The notion of altruistic ... Read More »

The Canadian Summer School in Germany (CSSG) is a renowned program that offers students an immersive experience to enhance their German language skills while exploring the rich cultural and historical heritage of Germany. Each year, students learning German with the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures at UofT travel to Kassel to take part in intensive language courses, cultural excursions, and unique living experiences with host families. In 2024, five outstanding participants shared their transformative journeys through CSSG. These stories highlight not only the academic and linguistic growth achieved during their time in Germany but also the personal connections and unforgettable memories that shaped their experiences. Join us as we celebrate their journeys through interviews and videos that capture the essence of the CSSG experience. Whether you’re a prospective participant or simply curious about life and learning in Germany, these stories are sure to inspire. Elizabeth Frynta is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto’s Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies Program who also minored in German Studies and Political Science. Elizabeth is a two-time CSSG participant who took some time to share her German language journey with us while preparing for graduate school. This year, Elizabeth was awarded the ... Read More »