Comparative Literature

The aim of this doctoral degree is to deep student's knowledge in a traditional academic discipline which is based on the scholarly comparison mainly of the European literatures and partially also of the literatures of North, Central, South America and some other countries where literature is written in European languages and connected to European traditions and confronted with indigenous cultures. The study programme uses the methodology traditional for European comparative studies (including the Czech, Slovak, and the Prague-Brno schools) with methodological flexibility focused on the methods developed in the late 20th century and early 21st century (semiotics, hermeneutics, deconstruction, and cognitive methods), overlapping with the philological-area approach to comparative literary studies and new interpretations of world literature.

Doctoral degree students specialize in one comparative module according to the orientation of their doctoral thesis and that is also how they design their study plan.

Practical training

There is no obligatory practical training at external workplaces. Active involvement of the students in teaching, researching, and organising tasks within the institute offers an opportunity to acquire further praxis-related skills.

Further information

https://www.phil.muni.cz/pro-uchazece/doktorske-studium

The interdisciplinary nature of this study programme will help graduates find employment in EU institutions, in public service (at all levels), in institutions targeting the development and administration of individual regions, in institutions of various international organizations outside the EU, in educational institutions, and in the media.

This study programme provides graduates with comprehensive education in comparative literary science, cultural studies, and the historiography of chosen countries which will enable them to work in scientific, academic-pedagogical, and cultural institutions, in journalism, or as experts in the given field. The flexibility of the design of the study programme also enables students to work in the private sector.

Deadline for submitting applications:January 1 - April 30

Deadline for submitting documents for the admission procedure: until May 15

Documents for the admission procedure:

• signed CV;
• list of publishing activities;
• doctoral thesis project, including a bibliography: the topic of the doctoral thesis is agreed by the applicant with their future supervisor;
• motivation letter.

Documents for the admission procedure must be inserted into the e-application (rubric “Documents”) by 15 May. Applicants are required to include their full name and application number on all attached documents.

The entrance examination takes the form of an oral discussion over the doctoral thesis project.

Entrance examination requirements: candidates must demonstrate knowledge of at least two languages and literatures to the extent of at least the Bachelor's degree at the entrance examination.

Notice: A poof of completion of a Master’s degree programme (officially certified copy of the diploma, in the case of education obtained abroad also the so-called recognition) shall be submitted by the accepted applicants upon enrolment in the studies. For the entrance examination, a proof of completion of a Master’s degree programme is not required.

Criteria for evaluation

Pass/fail line: 70 points (out of 100); doctoral thesis project: max. 40 points, motivation - max. 25 points, professional readiness - max. 35 points.