138 Cultural Studies and Area Studies PhD Degree Programs

The Doctoral School of the DiDA, established according to Article 29 of Rectoral Decree 670/2013, has as its primary strategic objective, of national and supranational interest and of cultural and economic significance, the care and sustainable enhancement of territorial heritage, from landscapes to cities, buildings, and everyday objects.

This PhD program aims to create a center for higher education and advanced research at the European level in the field of literary, linguistic, and intercultural studies. It is divided into four curricula, two of which are international. The two international curricula (Germanistics and European Founding Myths in Arts and Literature) are aimed at training qualified scientific-professional figures in the field of French and Germanistics, with specific skills also in Italian culture, whose professional outlets may be found in public and private academic and cultural institutions, top management, publishing, museums, conservatories, and communication sectors in Italy, France and Germany. The third curriculum (Language, literature and philology) aims instead to train qualified figures in several disciplinary fields who are able to use integrated methodologies. Individuals may find future employment in universities, international institutions and public relations systems and transnational communication networks. The curriculum of Linguistics and Oriental Studies provides training in linguistics, preparing scholars for careers primarily within universities or other research centers. The training is congruent with the need for language specialization in language education and L2 teaching. Individuals with this PhD will also have skills useful for consulting and highly responsible positions regarding communication in private companies, public administration and cultural heritage contexts, as well as professional tasks in various cultural industries (i.e. publishing, radio, television, new media) and services.

Graduates possess a general knowledge of the problems of Latin America in relation to its historical development and characteristic culture that has evolved since the late 16th century, on the basis of pre-Colombian communities and immigration from colonial metropolises and Africa. Graduates have a knowledge of the basic facts of Latin American history, and the ability to learn new facts, being helped by the knowledge of the theory and methodology of the discipline. Graduates are familiar with the development of opinions on the basic problems of the region’s history, and the discipline’s institutions, personalities, periodicals, and key works. They have developed language skills in Spanish and English enabling them to study specialized literature and engage in discussions within the international scientific community.

Graduates are highly qualified specialists in literary and cultural studies focused on English-speaking countries, especially the literature and cultures on the British Isles and in North America. They have a good command of theoretical and methodological approaches, are able to conduct independent research and to teach literary and cultural histories of the United Kingdom, USA, Ireland and other English-speaking countries, and related literary and cultural courses, at tertiary level. They can participate in team research projects and work in international research teams. Czech graduates have a good command of the terminology and style of the discipline in their mother tongue and possess basic knowledge of the reception of Anglophone literature in Czech culture.

Graduates of the doctoral program in Asian History and Culture are highly qualified specialists in the area of their specialization. Their excellent command of a selected Asian language enables them to work critically with primary sources, and they have a solid grounding in secondary literature and contemporary research. Their excellent level of erudition enables them to pursue careers in the academia (universities, research centers, etc.); they can, moreover, seek employment in cultural institutions, diplomacy, mass media, specialized think-tanks, etc.

The graduate of Germanic and Nordic Languages and Literatures is a highly educated expert who is qualified for research in his/her field, i. e., in Germanic and Nordic linguistics or literature. He/she is ready for scholarly work and further growth in the academic area. He/she is able to manage language and literary problems where language skills and philological work are required, or where the theory and history of individual literature in all its linguistic and historical-cultural contexts are needed.

The PhD in Comparative History offers doctoral education matching the highest international standards for prospective scholars and teachers. A particular - indeed unique - feature of the program is that it focuses on the comparison, interconnectedness, and entanglements of distinct geo-cultural regions: Central, Southeastern, and Eastern Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean, in close relation to the history of other historical regions, most notably with Western Europe and the Middle East. 

A Doctor of Philosophy in African Languages offers a profound and specialized exploration of the rich linguistic and cultural diversity found across the African continent. This advanced degree provides scholars with the tools to engage deeply with the complex systems of language, oral traditions, and literary expressions that shape African identities and histories.

The Melton Centre offers a Ph.D. program in Jewish Education. Graduates of the program have substantially contributed to the knowledge base of the field and are to be found in influential academic and educational positions in Israel and throughout the world.

A PhD in Area Studies offers students the chance to explore specific regions or topics in depth, combining advanced research skills with a strong understanding of cultural, political, and social conte...

The PhD program in Cultural Studies offers students a comprehensive pathway to explore culture from multiple angles, including history, theory, and contemporary issues. It emphasizes interdisciplinary...

The PhD program in Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop advanced research skills and deepen understanding of diverse literary and cultural tr...

Established in 2000, the Department is the first and still the only place in the Chinese-speaking world with a fully interdisciplinary and cosmopolitan faculty of staff committed exclusively to the teaching and research in contemporary Cultural Studies.