Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures University of Toronto

You are warmly invited to an academic presentation by Miriam Schwartz, PhD candidate in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures and the collaborative program with the Anne Tanenbaum Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Toronto. Lecture Title:Dubbed Jewish Literature: Orality, Multilingualism, and Translation in Twentieth-Century Hebrew and Yiddish WritingDate: Thursday, April 3, 2025Time: 4:00 PMLocation: Department Library, Room 323, 3rd Floor, Odette Hall About the Lecture:In Mirian’s dissertation, she examines orality and speech in twentieth-century Hebrew and Yiddish literature. During the early decades of the twentieth century, both Yiddish and Hebrew were transnational languages. This diasporic state of writing produced a multilingual literature, that is written in a seemingly monolingual fashion. Yet beneath this façade, modern Jewish literature frequently suppresses or obscures other languages – languages that do not appear in the text yet reveal themselves in various ways.By exploring the noticeable gap between the language on page and the language of the story world, Schwartz aims to uncover the underlying lingual tensions, ideological affiliations, identity, and gender politics of the text. This gap becomes especially pronounced when the marked and unmarked languages within a text do not “speak” in the same tongue. The dissertation offers a comparative reading of Jewish ... 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 »

You are warmly invited to an academic lecture by Prof. Christiane Arndt, Associate Prof. in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Queen’s University. Lecture Title:Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Gardening in Recent LiteratureDate: Thursday, March 13, 2025Time: 4:00 PMLocation: Department Library, Room 323, 3rd Floor, Odette Hall About the Lecture:In response to recent ecological and societal crises, literary texts might not initially appear as an obvious solution. Yet auto-fictional texts that explore material practices such as gardening are trending. By engaging with themes like racism, colonialism, and ecological activism, these works engage with gardening in a narrative framework that has the potential to probe the complex interplay of identity and societal narratives.Central to the discussion are analyses of works by Camille Dungy, Jamaica Kincaid, and Lola Randl, which illustrate diverse interactions between gardening and writing. These texts explore issues of racism, colonialism and ecological activism, and thus exemplify how gardening provides a lens through which to explore the dynamic between material practices and narrativity.The discussion is theoretically informed by insights from material culture theories, particularly those of Donna Haraway and Tim Ingold. Exploring how material practices are narrated within an anthropological framework underscores the transformative potential of integrating narrative ... Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures is excited to announce the three new undergraduate awards: Leadership & Community Engagement in German StudiesGerman Language Prize Excellence in German Studies These awards provide an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to gain recognition for their hard work, dedication, and passion for German Studies. We encourage all eligible students to apply or discuss the nomination process with their instructors. Application/Nomination Deadline: March 21, 2025Award Recipients Announcement: April 4, 2025 For more information about each award, please click the link below. Leadership & Community Engagement in German Studies (by application)German Language Prize (by nomination from course instructors)Excellence in German Studies (by application) Feel free to contact us at german.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca for any questions. Read More »

You are warmly invited to an academic lecture by Prof. Tobias Hof, DAAD Associate Professor for German Studies and History at the University of Toronto. Lecture Title:‘Völkisch Visions’: The Artist Johann Bossard, National Socialism, and the Legacy of an IdeologyDate: Thursday, February 27, 2025Time: 4:00 PMLocation: Charbonnel Lounge, Elmsley Hall About the Lecture:The term ‘völkisch’ has reemerged in German public discourse, fueled by the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland. But what lies beneath this ideology? Through the lens of artist Johann Michael Bossard (1874–1950) and his Gesamtkunstwerk in the Lüneburg Heath (built 1911–1950), the talk explores the origins and worldview of the völkisch movement. It examines not only its ties to and distinctions from National Socialism but also the remarkable endurance of völkisch networks long after the end of World War II. About the Speaker: Tobias Hof is DAAD Associate Professor for German Studies and History at the University of Toronto. He was previously the 2022/2023 Hannah Arendt Visiting Chair at the Munk School for Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, DAAD Visiting Professor at the History Department at UNC Chapel Hill and a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Washington University in St. Louis. He received his Ph.D. from the University 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 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 »