Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures University of Toronto

Dear All, The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures will be hosting the annual Student Appreciation Event on January 17th, at 2-4 PM. At this event, you will get the latest updates about German and Yiddish courses, programs, internships, and study-abroad opportunities. You’ll also hear from students sharing their experiences, connect with fellow students and faculty members, and enjoy pizza and drinks! Interested in joining us next Friday? Here are the details:Date: Friday, January 17, 2025Time: 2:00–4:00 PMLocation: Charbonnel Lounge, Elmsley Hall, 1st Floor Don’t miss out—use this link to RSVP now! We look forward to seeing you there! Read More »

Join Us for Language & Culture Day! The Global Languages Initiative is thrilled to invite you to Language & Culture Day, the biggest outreach event showcasing the rich diversity of language programs and cultural offerings at UofT’s St. George campus! When: Friday, January 24, 2025, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PMWhere: Lobby of Sidney Smith Hall Why attend?Whether you’re eager to expand your language skills, deepen your connection to cultural roots, or explore foreign languages and cultures, this event is for you! What to Expect: Engaging language and culture-based activitiesOpportunities to connect with professors, graduate students, and peers from over 10 programsInsights into study and internship opportunities abroad Bring your friends and join us for this vibrant celebration of languages at UofT. Discover the incredible variety of languages you can learn—all in one place! 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 »

Undergraduate Student Cynthia Lin spoke with us about her experience with the Canadian Summer School in Germany in the Summer of 2024. Cynthia is a Psychology specialist with a major in Sociology and a minor in Education and Society. She reflects on her experience with the program and shares some noteworthy advice for prospective students.  Good afternoon, Cynthia. Please introduce yourself to the community with your name, programs of study, and the year you participated in CSSG.  My name is Cynthia Lin, and I am currently enrolled in the psychology specialist program, the sociology major and education and society minor.  Please let us know what motivated you to apply to CSSG. I first learned about this program through a UofT newsletter, and Professor John Plews, the CSSG Program Director, came to speak with us about it. I was motivated by my desire to immerse myself in the language experience and environment. I cannot gain the same fluent German language skills and cultural understanding in Canada.  What previous experiences did you have learning German before joining the program? I previously studied GER 100Y1 (Introduction to German) online. Although the course was very interactive, it was not the same as taking a ... Read More »

Emma Rebmann is a third-year Pharmacology and Psychology student at UofT, who is also minoring in German Studies. After participating in CSSG this year, Emma encourages all students who wish to improve their German to apply to the program.  Please introduce yourself to the University of Toronto community  My name is Emma Rebmann. I’m a third-year student at UofT, double majoring in Pharmacology and Physiology, with a minor in German Studies. I participated in CSSG in the summer of 2024 and took GRMN 3446 (third-year German)! What motivated you to apply to CSSG? The program director, Dr. John Plews, presented to my German class about CSSG. The combination of language learning, engaging with a host family, and going on cultural excursions sounded like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse myself fully in the language and culture. What previous experiences did you have learning German before joining the program?  Before attending CSSG, I took Introduction to German (GER100) and Intermediate German (GER 200) at UofT. Please tell us about the learning environment in Kassel. What were your classes and field trips like?  The learning environment in Kassel was more hands-on than I had previously experienced. Instead of only focusing on grammar, we ... Read More »

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 Kim Misfeldt Prize from the Canadian Summer School in Germany. Elizabeth earned this award through her exceptional graded coursework, active engagement in the cultural program, and meaningful interactions in German with CSSG peers, instructors, and host family members during her time abroad.  Please introduce yourself to the University of Toronto community. My name is Elizabeth Milena Frynta. I graduated in June 2024 with a major in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies and minors in German and political science. I participated in the CSSG program in 2023 and 2024. What motivated you to apply to CSSG? I was motivated to apply to the CSSG because I realized that although I was pleased with my writing, reading, and comprehension skills, my vocabulary outside the classroom was quite limited. I wanted to become fully immersed in German culture. What previous experiences did you have learning German before joining ... Read More »

Dear All, The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures will be hosting the annual Student Appreciation Event on January 17th, at 2-4 PM. At this event, you will get the latest updates about German and Yiddish courses, programs, internships, and study-abroad opportunities. You’ll also hear from students sharing their experiences, connect with fellow students and faculty members, and enjoy pizza and drinks! Interested in joining us next Friday? Here are the details:Date: Friday, January 17, 2025Time: 2:00–4:00 PMLocation: Charbonnel Lounge, Elmsley Hall, 1st Floor Don’t miss out—use this link to RSVP now! We look forward to seeing you there! 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 »

The German Studies Students’ Union (GSSU) just published the latest edition of the Undergraduate Journal Zeitgeist online:  This new edition features a vibrant mix of academic texts, thought-provoking opinion pieces, creative literary works, and personal experiences shared by our talented undergraduate students.  At Zeitgeist, GSSU believes in providing students with a platform to showcase their diverse voices, perspectives, and academic achievements within the field of German studies. The mission is to foster an inclusive and vibrant scholarly community where students from all backgrounds, years, and disciplines can contribute their unique insights and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue. Through this journal, GSSU seeks to inspire curiosity, foster interdisciplinary connections, and promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of German studies among students and scholars worldwide. By embracing diversity, promoting inclusivity, and valuing academic excellence, Zeitgeist aims to make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of knowledge and scholarship in the field of German studies. We invite you to dive into this exciting collection of articles and join us in celebrating the hard work and creativity of our students. Read More »

Friday, October 18, 2024 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Charbonnel Lounge, St. Michael’s College RSVP HERE We are exited to invite you to the upcoming Global Languages Initiative Workshop, hosted by the German Department, with guest speaker Marje Zschiesche-Stock. Join us for an engaging discussion on The Use of AI in the Second Language Classroom. The use of AI in educational contexts is currently a hot topic. The integration of AI into teaching will inevitably become a reality. How can contemporary language education respond to this? How can AI be productively integrated into teaching with added value? Our initial attempts show that it can also be an enrichment and act in a way as a friend and helper. But does it hinder the development of critical and independent thinking in our learners? In this workshop, we want to explore these questions and think together about how AI can simulate authentic language interactions and improve the communicative skills of learners at all levels. About Marje Zschiesche-Stock Marje Zschiesche-Stock has many years of international experience as a lecturer and trainer at a variety of institutions and educational establishments, where she has taught German language and culture at all levels and for all age ... Read More »