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
2025 Canadian Summer School in Germany (CSSG)
Are you looking for a German language and cultural experience you will never forget?
Spend May and June 2025 in Germany with the Canadian Summer School in Germany (CSSG)!
Application is now open!
Application deadline: January 31, 2025
Franz Kafka's In the Penal Colony: Performance and Symposium
The Waterloo Centre for German Studies and the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Waterloo are proud to present In the Penal Colony, a performance and symposium event!
Anna Kuhn, our Intercultural German Studies MA student, wins 2024 Piller Award
Anna Kuhn's research titled 'A Call for ‘Widerstand’? Identifying strategies of the New Right's Language and Literature Policy.' will be centered on Verlag Antaios, a right-wing German publishing house. In a time of widespread protests against right-wing extremism, this project exposes the political instrumentalization of German studies.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Anna!
Events
Fall 2024 Golden Boar Awards
We proudly present the Fall 2024 Golden Boar Awards. Come spend a glamorous afternoon with us and celebrate your achievements in Dutch and German!
