Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures University of Toronto

International Herder Society Conference: Herder’s GeographySeptember 4–7, 2025 | University of TorontoSenior Common Room, Brennan Hall We are delighted to announce that the bi-annual conference of the International Herder Society will take place from September 4–7, 2025, at the University of Toronto. The conference theme is Herder’s Geography. Professor John Noyes, of the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures and President of the Herder Society, will welcome scholars from around the world for this important gathering. The event will bring together researchers and enthusiasts for lively discussions and to explore the question: “What does Geography mean for Herder?” Speakers Nigel DeSouza (Ottawa) · Louise Fischer (Leipzig) · Sarah Goeth (Aachen) · Matteo Garau (Turin) · Rainer Godel (Darmstadt) · Katherine Arens (Austin) · Johannes Schmidt (Clemson) · Catherine Girardin (Paris) · David Takamura (Dickinson) · Daniel Purdy (Penn State) · Sonia Sikka (Ottawa) · Horst Lange (Arkansas) · John Noyes (Toronto) · Marcus Bullock (Wisconsin–Milwaukee) · Carl Niekerk (Urbana–Champaign) Conference Agenda Thursday, September 4, 202513:30 – Welcoming remarks13:45 – John Noyes (University of Toronto): Introduction: What is Geography and Why Does it Matter to Herder?14:00 – Opening PresentationNigel DeSouza (University of Ottawa): Environment/Milieu/Territory: Aristotle, Herder, Merleau-Ponty Section 1: Geography’s Field ... Read More »

Dear undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty of the German Department: I’d like to invite all of you to our Kaffeestunde (coffee hour), the German Department’s social gathering of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students. Let’s meet and mingle over coffee, tea and Keksen for an informal chat in German. The Kaffeestunde will take place every first Thursday of the month at 1-2pm, and every third Friday of the month from 2-3pm in the Lounge of the German Department, Odette Hall 301. Fall 2025 Dates: Sep 4, Thu, 1-2pmSep 19, Fri, 2-3pmOct 2, Thu, 1-2pmOct 17, Fri, 2-3pmNov 6, Thu, 1-2pmNov 21, Fri, 2-3pmDec 4, Thu, 1-2pm This Kaffeestunde will take place outside of Odette Hall, weather permitting! *Please help us protect the environment and bring your own reusable cup* Stefan SoldovieriChair Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures will be offering all levels of German language courses in Fall/Winter 2025-26: GER100Y/GER101HS Introduction to German (for absolute beginners, leads to A2.1) SectionTimeInstructorsL0101 OnlineMonday & Wednesday 9:00 AM – 11:00 AMHannah RobinsonStefana GargovaL0201 Monday & Wednesday11:00 AM – 1:00 PMVirginia ShewfeltL0301Monday & Wednesday4:00 PM – 6:00 PMTanya HumeniukL0401Tuesday & Thursday11:00 AM – 1:00 PMTamara SchaadSomaia MostafaL0501Tuesday & Thursday9:00 AM – 11:00 AMErol BoranL0601Tuesday & Thursday4:00 PM – 6:00 PMAndre FlickerVirginia ShewfeltL5101Monday & Wednesday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMAndre FlickerTanya HumeniukL5201 OnlineTuesday & Thursday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMLisa Lackner GER200Y/GER201HS Intermediate German 1 (leads to B1.1) SectionTimeInstructorsL0101Monday & Wednesday9:00 AM – 11:00 AMMaria HarutyunanL0201Tuesday & Thursday9:00 AM – 11:00 AMAndre FlickerLisa LacknerL5101 OnlineMonday & Wednesday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMLisa LacknerStefana Gargova GER300Y/GER301HS Intermediate German 2 (leads to B2.1) SectionTimeInstructorsL0101Monday & Wednesday11:00 AM – 1:00 PMFlorian GeddesL0201Tuesday & Thursday4:00 PM – 6:00 PMFelix RoesslerLandon ReitzL5101Tuesday & Thursday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMRita Laszlo GER400H Advanced German 1 (leads to C1.1) SectionTimeInstructorL0101Tuesday & Thursday1:00 PM – 3:00 PMErol Boran GER401H Advanced German 2 (leads to C1.2) SectionTimeInstructorL0101Tuesday & Thursday9:00 AM – 11:00 AMFlorian Geddes Notes:GER101H, GER201H, and GER301H are the second part of the full-year courses GER100Y, GER200Y, ... Read More »

Congratulations to Hannah Robinson – Winner of the 2025 German Studies Canada Best MA Thesis Prize! We are thrilled to announce that Hannah Robinson, current PhD student and former MA student in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, has been awarded the 2025 German Studies Canada Best MA Thesis Prize! Hannah received this national recognition for her major research paper titled:“Transgressive Translation: Examining Perceptions of Multilinguals as Boundary-Crossers in Wolfram von Eschenbach’s Willehalm.”Her work explores how multilingual individuals are portrayed as figures who cross cultural and linguistic boundaries, offering a compelling analysis of medieval literature through the lens of translation and identity. This achievement also reflects the outstanding guidance Hannah received from her supervisor, Professor Markus Stock, and the valuable support from Professor Enrica Piccardo, affiliate faculty member and expert in multilingualism. Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures will be introducing a newly created Certificate in German Language. The Certificate will be available for enrolment starting March 1, 2026. We are excited to be implementing this new offering, and students can enrol in, and track their progress through, certificates just as they would a program (i.e., through ACORN and Degree Explorer). A Certificate is clearly noted on your transcript when completed (please note that there is no separate parchment for a Certificate conferred at convocation).  The Certificate in German Language would formally recognize intermediate-level proficiency in German (as a minimum), broadening academic and professional opportunities for students across disciplines. German language skills directly benefit students in programs such as International Relations, Philosophy, History, Music, Political Science, and Sociology by enabling them to analyze primary sources, engage with case studies, and conduct research in German-speaking contexts. For students in the sciences, engineering or business programs, knowledge of German provides essential communicative skills and cross-cultural competencies, enhancing students’ ability to collaborate effectively in diverse environments and expand their reach into German-speaking markets and communities worldwide. The Certificate will only be available to students who are not enrolled in a minor, major or specialist ... Read More »

Discover Our English-Taught Topic Courses – Open to All U of T Students! Are you curious about German culture, history, or thought, but don’t speak German (yet)? We invite you to explore our English-taught Topic Courses, open to all U of T students and requiring no prerequisites. These courses offer an excellent opportunity to discover whether German studies might be right for you, whether you’re interested in the German culture, language, or future academic or professional pathways. With a range of themes, you’re sure to find something that sparks your interest. Scroll down to read detailed course introductions and find the one that speaks to you! GER150HF Introduction to German Culture SectionTimeInstructorL0101W 11-12H. Kim 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, ... Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures will be offering 100- and 200-level German language courses in Summer 2025: GER100Y Introduction to German (for absolute beginners, leads to A2.1) SectionTimeInstructorsL0101 OnlineMTWR 10am – 12pmAndre FlickerLisa LacknerL5101 OnlineMTWR 6 – 8pmElisabeth LangeVirginia Shewfelt GER200Y Intermediate German 1 (leads to B1.1) SectionTimeInstructorsL5101 OnlineMTWR 6 – 8 pmFlorian GeddesRita Laszlo *Students with prior German knowledge should email german.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca to arrange a placement test WHY GERMAN? ● Germany is Europe’s largest economy and ranked third among the world’s largest economies in 2025.● German is Europe’s most widely spoken language.● Germany is a hub of craftsmanship, scientific breakthroughs, culture, and cutting-edge innovation.● Learning German is easier than you think: If you speak English, you’re already ahead! Both languages share similar vocabulary and grammar – so you’ve got a head start. BENEFITS OF LEARNING GERMAN IN SUMMER ●  Achieve A2/B1 level in 12 weeks●  Earn credits to go towards Breadth Requirement●  Earn a Certificate in German Language with GER100 and GER200 completed●  Eligible to apply for iPRAKTIKUM (Internships in Germany) the following summer with sufficient language proficiency ● Prepare for an exchange or research program in Germany● Prepare for graduate studies in Germany with low tuition and ... Read More »

We are delighted to announce the recipients of this year’s Undergraduate Awards in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures. These awards recognize outstanding achievement in German Studies, including academic excellence, language proficiency, and leadership in community engagement. Please join us in congratulating the following students for their exceptional contributions and accomplishments. Leadership & Community Engagement in German Studies Award Aditi Kolluru As President of the German Studies Student Union in the academic year of 2024-25, she has led the executive committee with dedication – overseeing budgeting, administration, and student initiatives that promote German culture and community. Previously, as the Union’s Director of Communications, she managed all outreach and publicity to ensure wide engagement with departmental events. Beyond German Studies, Aditi serves as the Representative for the Hart House Finance Committee on the Board of Stewards, the highest governing body of Hart House, where she contributes to planning events and promoting financial literacy. Her commitment to leadership, volunteerism, and building connections across communities makes her a truly deserving recipient of this award. Excellence in German Studies Award Brian Finn Brian is a dedicated and accomplished student in German Studies, known for his academic excellence and creative engagement with the field. ... Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures will be offering all levels of German language courses in Fall/Winter 2025-26: GER100Y/GER101HS Introduction to German (for absolute beginners, leads to A2.1) SectionTimeInstructorsL0101 OnlineMonday & Wednesday 9:00 AM – 11:00 AMHannah RobinsonStefana GargovaL0201 Monday & Wednesday11:00 AM – 1:00 PMVirginia ShewfeltL0301Monday & Wednesday4:00 PM – 6:00 PMTanya HumeniukL0401Tuesday & Thursday11:00 AM – 1:00 PMTamara SchaadSomaia MostafaL0501Tuesday & Thursday9:00 AM – 11:00 AMErol BoranL0601Tuesday & Thursday4:00 PM – 6:00 PMAndre FlickerVirginia ShewfeltL5101Monday & Wednesday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMAndre FlickerTanya HumeniukL5201 OnlineTuesday & Thursday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMLisa Lackner GER200Y/GER201HS Intermediate German 1 (leads to B1.1) SectionTimeInstructorsL0101Monday & Wednesday9:00 AM – 11:00 AMMaria HarutyunanL0201Tuesday & Thursday9:00 AM – 11:00 AMAndre FlickerLisa LacknerL5101 OnlineMonday & Wednesday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMLisa LacknerStefana Gargova GER300Y/GER301HS Intermediate German 2 (leads to B2.1) SectionTimeInstructorsL0101Monday & Wednesday11:00 AM – 1:00 PMFlorian GeddesL0201Tuesday & Thursday4:00 PM – 6:00 PMFelix RoesslerLandon ReitzL5101Tuesday & Thursday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMRita Laszlo GER400H Advanced German 1 (leads to C1.1) SectionTimeInstructorL0101Tuesday & Thursday1:00 PM – 3:00 PMErol Boran GER401H Advanced German 2 (leads to C1.2) SectionTimeInstructorL0101Tuesday & Thursday9:00 AM – 11:00 AMFlorian Geddes Notes:GER101H, GER201H, and GER301H are the second part of the full-year courses GER100Y, GER200Y, ... Read More »

You are warmly invited to a research talk by Miriam Udel, associate professor of German Studies and Judith London Evans Director of the Tam Institute of Jewish Studies at Emory University. Research Talk Title:Children’s Literature: Materials for Yiddish WorldmakingDate: Tuesday, April 1, 2025Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PMLocation: Charbonnel Lounge, 1st Floor, Elmsley Hall About the Lecture:Around the turn of the twentieth century, a group of Jewish educators, authors, and cultural leaders undertook a bold project: creating a corpus of nearly one thousand books and several periodicals, which flourished in conjunction with the secular Yiddish school systems that spanned the globe in the 1920s and 30s. These vibrant texts cut across continents and ideologies but shared in their creators’ overarching goal: to write into being a better world, a shenere un besere velt—in a distinctively Yiddish key. The question of what a “better world” looks like is, of course, inextricably bound up in questions of political vision. No less political is the imagined figure of the young reader, set against the backdrop of changing conceptions of childhood and family life. We will reconsider a set of “orphaned texts,” the stories, poems, and plays written for children during the first half of the twentieth century, ... Read More »