Germanic Languages and Literatures

Program Overview

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures at the University of Toronto is the oldest and largest department of German in Canada encompassing 11 full-time faculty who contribute to a curriculum that speaks to our traditional strength in literary and intellectual history. Our faculty and students conduct research in German cinema, critical theory, language pedagogy, Yiddish studies, medieval studies, travel literature, as well as post-colonial, psychoanalytic, and transnational studies.
Past graduates have secured tenure-track teaching positions as well as employment in the arts, in cultural programming, the publishing industry, and educational administration. We are committed to providing our graduate students with exposure to a diversity of methodological approaches among our faculty and those of affiliate units. We also emphasize early progress towards professionalization through participation in faculty research projects, attendance at local and international conferences, and enrolment in campus writing workshops. We cultivate a departmental climate of mutual respect and collegiality in the shared pursuit of critical inquiry.

The department offers a graduate program of study leading to a Master of Arts degree.

Quick Facts

Master of Arts

Program Description

The MA degree in Germanic Languages and Literatures is offered in two fields:

• German Literature, Culture and Theory
• Yiddish Studies

The course-based, one-year MA program normally spans two sessions. Students have the option to concurrently enrol in one of the collaborative specializations at U of T, such as Women and Gender Studies, Jewish Studies, Transnational and Diaspora Studies, or Book History and Print Culture. This also requires registration in their respective core course(s). The MA in German is a full-time program, but may also be taken part-time under extenuating circumstances. Graduates may continue on to doctoral studies as well as embarking on careers in translation, language teaching, literary editing, cultural programming, and corporate and administrative positions requiring advanced communication and analytical skills.

Field: German Literature, Culture and Theory

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures' additional admission requirements stated below.
• Applicants to the one-year MA program in the field of German Literature, Culture and Theory must have completed an appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university that includes at least 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in German language, literature, and culture, with an average grade of at least a B+.
• Two reference letters.
• Admission is based upon the applicant's academic record as evidenced through transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, the reference letters, a sample of written work (such as a term paper), and a Letter of Intent (500-word maximum) identifying current career goals and areas of academic interest.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:
  • GER1000H German Studies Seminar: Culture, Theory, Text (0.5 FCE)
  • at least 1.5 FCEs of the remaining 3.0 FCEs must carry a GER designator
  • the remaining course selection which is made in consultation with the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies of the department and must be approved by the department.
• Pass a German language competence test at the beginning of the program. Only one attempt is permitted.

Program Length

2 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W);
5 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Field: Yiddish Studies

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures' additional admission requirements stated below.
• Applicants to the one-year MA program in the field of Yiddish Studies must have completed an appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university that includes at least 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in Yiddish language and 2.0 FCEs in Yiddish literature and culture or another area of Jewish Studies, with an average grade of at least a B+.
• Two reference letters.
• Admission is based upon the applicant's academic record and upon the evidence of the reference letters.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:
  • GER1000H German Studies Seminar: Culture, Theory, Text (0.5 FCE)
  • CJS1000H Core Methods Seminar in Jewish Studies (0.5 FCE)
  • GER1050H Methods and Texts in Yiddish Studies (0.5 FCE)
  • GER2050Y Research Paper in Yiddish Studies (1.0 FCE)
  • the remaining elective courses (1.0 FCE) selected from a course list approved by the department.
• Pass a Yiddish language competency test at the beginning of the program. Only one attempt is permitted.

Program Length

2 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W);
5 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time