Doctoral Studies

Archaeology

This Study Program is accredited in Czech and English Language

The aim of the doctoral study is education for independent scientific and research work in the field, which includes both the development of creative activities in methodology and theory, as well as deepening empirical skills in archaeology. The student will acquire excellent knowledge of archaeological sources, master archaeological theory at a high level and be able to apply field, laboratory and other research methods, including advanced mastery of formalized procedures and modern technologies. During their studies, doctoral degree candidates will successfully complete a research project that will bring new knowledge to the field and will culminate in a dissertation. Strong emphasis is placed on the interdisciplinary approach and developing cooperation with related disciplines.

Conditions for admission to study

A condition for admission to the doctoral study program is a completed master's degree in the same or related specialization, general knowledge of archaeology or related disciplines and a successful acceptance interview. During the interview, applicants present the intention of their dissertation project and their current research and/or their own publication activities. The project is submitted in writing (3 to 5 pages, A4 format) and contains a justification for the selected topic, theoretical background, approaches and the methods in which it will be completed, including relevant literature and sources. Furthermore, applicants must submit a published work (or a manuscript with justification of their own approaches) and a list of their own professional and research activities hitherto. Applicants must prove that they are familiar with the selected issue and relevant academic domestic and foreign literature and sources related to the topic. The Admissions Committee assesses the applicant’s readiness for doctoral studies on the basis of the submitted project and an oral interview with the applicant.

Study plan

Information on study (e.g. a general course structure, lists of mandatory and elective courses, their contents and alignments) is available in the study plan. More details can be found at the web of the Department of Archaeology (https://kar.zcu.cz/en/study.php#phd).

Etnology and Cultural Studies

The aim of the doctoral study is education for independent scientific and research work in the field, which includes both the development of creative activities in methodology and theory, as well as deepening empirical skills in ethnology, ethnography, social and cultural anthropology and cultural studies. 

The student will acquire excellent knowledge of ethnological sources, master ethnological, anthropological and cultural theory at a high level. The study programme is built interdisciplinarily on the theoretical-methodological foundations of European ethnology, ethnography, social and cultural anthropology and cultural studies. The program's framework is the study of human action and thought in its cultural and social variability, including the study of cultural transformations in the context of modernization processes. The programme focuses both on the issue of cultural diversity in the traditional ethnological and anthropological sense, and on the issue of complex cultures of contemporary state societies, in both diachronous and synchronous perspectives.

During their studies, doctoral degree candidates will successfully complete a research project that will bring new knowledge to the field and will culminate in a dissertation. Strong emphasis is placed on the interdisciplinary approach and developing cooperation with related disciplines.

CONDITIONS FOR ADMISSION TO STUDY

A condition for admission to the doctoral study program is a completed master's degree in ethnology and cultural studies or related specialization, general knowledge of ethnology, social and cultural anthropology, cultural studies or related disciplines and a successful acceptance interview. During the interview, applicants present the intention of their dissertation project and their current research and/or their own publication activities. The project is submitted in writing (3 to 5 pages, A4 format) and contains a justification for the selected topic, theoretical background, approaches and the methods in which it will be completed, including relevant literature and sources. Furthermore, applicants must prove that they are familiar with the selected issue and relevant academic domestic and foreign literature and sources related to the topic. The Admissions Committee assesses the applicant’s readiness for doctoral studies on the basis of the submitted project and an oral interview with the applicant.

STUDY PLAN

Information on study (e.g. a general course structure, lists of mandatory and elective courses, their contents and alignments) is available in the study plan. More details can be found at the web of the Department of Anthropology

History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

This Study Program is accredited in Czech and English Language

The Ph.D. study program History and Philosophy of Science and Technology is realized at the Department of Philosophy in cooperation with the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The form of study is full-time and part-time, the languages of study are Czech and English, the standard length of study is 4 years. The head of the Study board is doc. PhDr. Vladimir Havlik, CSc.

Characteristics of the study program

The Ph.D. study program History and Philosophy of Science and Technology has an interdisciplinary character. Its main task is to examine the broader philosophical, historical and social conditionality of the origin and development of individual scientific hypotheses, concepts and theories, together with their technical applications.

The aim of the program is to further deepen the systematic understanding of issues of philosophy, methodology and history of science and technology. At the same time, philosophy is conceived as a source as well as a critical reflection of the contemporary worldview and the state of knowledge. The program is further focused on understanding and interpreting the historical development of science and scientific knowledge as part of cultural history. Thus, science is not examined in isolation, but in the context of social and cultural contexts - both in terms of the conditions for the emergence of scientific knowledge and its consequences, which are mainly technical development. Technology as a consequence of scientific development is reflected especially with regard to how technical development changes the concept of man and his relationship to the world.

In addition to the traditional historical-philosophical research of the history of science and technology, the program also creates space for theoretical reflection on new technologies, thus establishing a platform for interdisciplinary research, especially on the border of philosophy of language and mind, artificial intelligence and cognitive sciences.

Graduate profile

The doctoral study program Philosophy and History of Science and Technology is conceived as academic. The graduate demonstrates systematic knowledge of the history and current state of philosophy and science and technology in a broader cultural and social context, with emphasis on detailed knowledge of issues related to the topic of his dissertation.

The graduate of the program is capable of independent and original scientific research activities. It emphasizes the critical choice of methods, the creation of an appropriate theoretical background, a thorough analysis of theoretical and empirical evidence and its own contribution to solving the topic. He independently carries out original research work and is ready to carry out a rational reconstruction of the development of science, scientific discipline, scientific theory or problem. The graduate is able to critically analyze the current state of knowledge, can independently formulate problems and solve them based on the application of innovative methods. He is able to present the results of his scientific work orally and process them into a professional publication or research project.

The graduate is able to popularize science and technology; is able to defend his position before an expert commission and the general public. He has developed communication skills in two world languages. The graduate of the program is distinguished by independence and professional and personal integrity, which are necessary both for the critical evaluation of existing knowledge and professional practices, and for the design of new ones.

The graduate of the program is therefore prepared especially for work in the academic and scientific research spheres. However, he is also ready for pedagogical work or popularization activities. For these reasons, it can be used not only at universities or research institutes, but also in education and educational institutions in general or in cultural and historical institutions.

Study plan

Information on study (e.g. a general course structure, lists of mandatory and elective courses, their contents and alignments) is available in the study plan.

For further details see: 
http://www.kfi.zcu.cz/en/Incoming-students/programmes/study-programmes/doctoral-studies.html

Modern History

This Study Program is accredited in Czech and English Language

The profile of the graduate as a highly qualified professional and linguistically well-equipped employee combines the ability to orientate oneself in world modern history and selected segments of Czechoslovak history in the 19th and 20th centuries in the application of methodological procedures of contemporary historiography. The study prepares doctoral students for independent scientific research in the domestic and international academic environment, as well as for qualified pedagogical work in the university environment. The doctoral study primarily deepens the knowledge acquired in the follow-up master's study and expands it with the latest knowledge. During the study, doctoral students acquire professional knowledge and knowledge of methodology and theory of modern history in the form of lectures, seminars and consultations, and in selected specializations they work closely with their supervisors on selected topics.

GRADUATE PROFILE AND CAREER OPTIONS

A graduate of the doctoral studies of Modern History will be able to meet the most demanding requirements for work at faculties of humanities, research institutes, museums and educational institutions that emphasise the systematic deepening and broadening of knowledge of their students or employees.

Graduates will acquire expert competence to perform their profession in, for example, the following areas: teacher and researcher at higher education institutions in the Czech Republic or abroad, researcher at research institutions in the Czech Republic (CAS, v. v. i.) or abroad, worker in the field of journalism, where graduates can apply especially knowledge of historical roots and historical conditioning of the contemporary world, worker in diplomatic services while acquiring other special skills.

STUDY PLAN

Detailed information about the programme, such as the list of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective courses, their distribution across semesters and years of study, content of the courses, and other detailed information on the course of study, study regulations, and more can be found in the study plan.

International Relations

This Study Program is accredited in Czech and English Language

The aim of the programme is to prepare qualified experts in the field of international relations for their future employment in academia, in specialised high-qualification positions in public and state administration, international institutions, NGOs, consultancy agencies, think tanks, or the diplomatic service. However, graduates may also find employment in the armed forces, secret service, development agencies, or the media. Increasing demands on the labour market lead us to design the programme as an exclusive doctoral study, within which we can maintain an individual approach to each student and ensure sufficient space for the development of their knowledge and skills. Given the changing nature of the production of knowledge, we also place great emphasis on the student’s orientation in broader social sciences and humanities and in the international environment.

Our intention is to prepare graduates with experience in teaching and publishing, in methods of social sciences and, specifically, of the field of international relations, as well as with experience gained abroad. During their studies, students will focus on topics related to their specialisation when teaching or preparing scholarly texts. The Doctoral Board and the Department encourage students to publish scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals with national and international scope.

The composition of compulsory courses is designed so that the student gains experience with all aspects of academia, including teaching and publishing, and can start their own academic career as an established member of the academic community. The compulsory elective courses offer students the opportunity to intensively deepen their knowledge and skills in a specific area (the programme offers four sections of compulsory elective courses).

Students, who become qualified experts in their field of interest during the studies, can take up demanding positions outside academia. Their portfolio for potential employers is enhanced with publications, intensive language training, and work abroad.

Study Plan

Detailed information about the programme, such as the list of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective courses, their distribution across semesters and years of study, content of the courses, and other detailed information on the course of study, study regulations, and more can be found in the study plan.