News

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 »

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 »

The Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures offers Ph.D. students a generous funding package that is guaranteed for five years. Sixth-year students are eligible for a doctoral completion grant. We are also able to fund many students in our one-year MA program with a combination of teaching opportunities and internal fellowships. Applications to the Graduate Program in German Literature, Culture and Theory must be submitted through the School of Graduate Studies online application website. The complete application includes: the online form submission of transcripts (please submit electronic transcripts, originals are only required after admission) letters of recommendation (MA:2, PhD:3) a brief resume a sample of written work a statement of up to 700 words outlining your research interests and reasons for embarking on graduate study Please consult the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Calendar and the departmental Graduate Handbook for details on eligibility criteria. Additional information may be obtained from the SGS Admissions page, the SGS Degree Progams Quick Facts (MA) and Degree Programs Quick Facts (PhD), and the SGS application FAQ. The deadline for online application and payment of the application fee is 15 January 2025. Rolling admission is in progress for the MA program to commence Fall 2025. ... 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 »

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 »

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 »