Latest German Studies News

I-witness Holocaust Field School: Application Deadline: November 1, 2013

The Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies at the University of Victoria is pleased to accept applications for the next I-witness Holocaust Field School. In May of 2014, Dr. Helga Thorson will lead a group of 20 students to Germany, Poland, and Austria. Participants experience various types of memorial spaces in three different countries—from the sites of former concentration camps to the stumbling stone project, from former ghettos to railway stations, from cemeteries to T-4 euthanasia sites, from museums to memorials. This field school course consists of one week of intensive study at the University of Victoria followed by three weeks in Central Europe (May 5 – May 31, 2014).

Students in this 3-unit, 400-level course have the opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of antisemitism, racism, religious intolerance, homophobia and the stigmatization of the mentally and physically disabled communities. The course promotes intercultural learning through a variety of activities including joint workshops with European students and visits to memorial sites, museums, and monuments of the Holocaust. Upon return to Canada, participants will share their experiences through formal presentations and discussions on university campuses, in high schools, and with the local community.

The Field School is designed for students from any discipline and is also open to applicants from other universities. Graduate students are also encouraged to apply upon permission of their graduate program supervisor.  For further information, visit the field school website at http://www.uvic.ca/humanities/germanicslavic/I-witness/index.php or contact Helga Thorson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 250-721-7316.

11 German Think Tanks among the top 150 in the world

A report on the most influential think tanks in the world shows the amazing performance of over 55 European think tanks.  Among them are 11 from Germany: Transparency International (12), German Council on Foreign Relations (26), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (33), Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (37), Kiel Institut for World Economy (40), Bonn International Center for Conversation (57), German Development Institute (80), Heinrich Boll Stiftung (83), Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact research (119), Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (126) and Instutute for Economic Research (137).

The report has been published today by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania.  http://www.gotothinktank.com/2012-global-goto-tank-index-report/

Quo Vadis Germany?

Quo Vadis, Germany?

First German Conference in Toronto - February 8, 2013 / 9:00 am - 3:45 pm

Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto

The German Conference in Toronto is an annual symposium bringing together policy makers, business people, scholars, the media, the German community, students, and the interested public. High-ranking speakers discuss central issues of politics, the economy, business, and foreign affairs from a Canadian and German perspective. By offering a modern perspective on Germany, the conference contributes to building a closer and more productive relationship between Canada and Germany.

CLICK HERE FOR PROGRAM AND REGISTRATION