Program Overview

PhD German

The PhD German program at the University of Waterloo is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in German studies, including linguistics, literary, cinematic, and cultural studies. The program allows students to pursue their own research interests in a well-mentored and supported environment.

Research Areas

• Literary studies
• Linguistics
• Cultural studies
• Film studies
• Language teaching and learning
• Multilingualism and language education
• Posthumanist and poststructuralist frameworks
• Animal studies
• Disability studies
• Language and identity

Program Structure

The PhD program in German is flexible, allowing students to tailor their coursework and research to their individual interests and goals. Students work closely with their supervisors to develop a personalized program of study.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the PhD program in German requires a master's degree in German or a related field, as well as a strong academic record and research potential.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for the PhD program in German vary depending on the student's residency status and other factors. For more information, please consult the University of Waterloo's website.

Graduate Student Profiles

The Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies at the University of Waterloo has a strong community of graduate students working on a wide range of research projects. Some examples of graduate student research include:

• Friederike Schlein, PhD 2020: Literary studies, with a focus on the relation between literature and culture
• Katharina Schroeder, PhD 2019: Multilingualism, heritage language learning, and the intergenerational transmission of heritage languages
• Christine Kampen Robinson, PhD 2017, MA 2011: Linguistics, with a focus on bi- and multilingualism, mixed codes, and identity construction
• Daniela Roth, PhD 2017, MA 2011: Contemporary literature and cultural studies, with a focus on transnational literature and disease in literature
• Kyle Scholz, PhD 2016, MA 2010: Applied linguistics, with a focus on computer-assisted and digital game-based language learning
• Gerlinde Weimer-Stuckmann, PhD 2015: Teacher education in foreign language teaching, vocabulary learning and teaching, and the use of gestures in language teaching
• Allison G. Cattell, PhD 2014, MA 2009: Literary and cultural studies, with a focus on postmethod conceptualization of Communicative Language Teaching
• Belinda Kleinhans, PhD 2013, MA 2007: Posthumanist and poststructuralist frameworks, with a focus on Cultural and Literary Animal Studies
• Sara Ghaffarian, PhD 2006: Globalization, multilingualism, and language education, with a focus on fostering "Symbolic Competence" in university language classrooms
• Michael Zimmermann, PhD 1997, BA 1984: German Film, language pedagogy, 20th-Century literature, and German as a heritage language

Faculty and Research

The Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies at the University of Waterloo has a strong faculty with research expertise in a wide range of areas, including literary studies, linguistics, cultural studies, and language teaching and learning. Faculty members are actively engaged in research and publication, and many have received awards and recognition for their work.

Alumni

The Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies at the University of Waterloo has a strong network of alumni who have gone on to pursue careers in a wide range of fields, including academia, education, government, and industry. Many alumni have also gone on to pursue further education and research in German studies and related fields.