Our department specializes in the study of language, applied linguistics, literature, and film and visual culture.
Graduate programs
Our department has developed three stimulating and challenging graduate programs that give students hands-on experience in teaching and research:
- MA in German - a one-year MA program that has thesis and non-thesis options
- Joint MA in Intercultural German Studies - a two-year MA program that is operated jointly with the Universität Mannheim
- PhD in German - a PhD program that equips you for careers in academe and beyond
Undergraduate programs
We offer courses in:
- German: Students learn the languages, history, cultural traditions, ideas, and accomplishments of the German-speaking areas of central Europe.
- Russian: We offer courses in Russian language as well as the culture of Russia and Eastern Europe. Students can earn a Minor in Russian and East European Studies.
- Croatian: The department offers elementary courses in Croatian as well as courses in Croatian culture.
- Dutch: The department offers elementary courses in Dutch as well as a Dutch culture course. Many courses in Dutch are offered online. Students can earn a Diploma in Dutch Language.
Meet the GSS faculty and staff
Waterloo Centre for German Studies (WCGS)
WCGS is a privately-endowed institute devoted to research on the language, culture, and civilization of German-speaking peoples. The Centre offers a wide range of educational and cultural activities for the academy and the broader community.
News and events
News
Visit us at the Arts Major Showcase
Visit Germanic & Slavic Studies at the 2023 Arts Major Showcase to talk about programs in Germanic & Slavic Studies, including the cross-departmental Minor in Cultural Identities (CI).
When: November 14, 2023 from 12pm to 3pm
Where: Hagey Hall Hub
A Special Lecture by a University of Waterloo Honorary Doctorate Recipient
Speaker: Alison Phipps, UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow. (Dr. Alison Phipps was nominated by the Germanic and Slavic Studies department for this honorary award)
For more information, view the original posting: Hospitality: Refugee Integration through Languages, Spirituality, and Arts
2023 DAAD Students Contest: #PictureYourselfInGermany
DAAD once again invites full-time students at Canadian universities to participate in their annual contest, this year taking place under the banner #PictureYourselfInGermany.
Submission deadline: May 12, 2023, by 5:00pm (EDT)
