Form of study: full-time or combined
Standard study period: 4 years
Joint study with the Institute for Contemporary History of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
The aim of the doctoral programme Contemporary European Cultural History is the scientific preparation of experts for thematically broad-based research on history and cultural history, including cultural heritage and traditions in the period from 1918 to the (shifting) most up-to-date present.
The spatially field thematizes the area of Europe, including the Czech Republic, respectively its predecessor Czechoslovakia. The approach to the researched/discussed topics is supra-regional, interdisciplinary, preferably comparative.
The study programme is defined in the paradigm of traditional and "new" cultural history, including cultural aspects of the whole social reality, respectively struggles for cultural sovereignty or, conversely, autonomy in the public sphere.
The basis of teaching doctoral students is an intensive familiarization with modern trends in methodology (including comparative studies). Following the topic and methodology of their dissertations, 1-2 methodological courses will be electives focused on (a) archival research, (b) methods and techniques of oral history, (c) qualitative and quantitative social science methods, respectively secondary analyses of social science data. Other 1-2 elective courses will aim at a deeper study of specific topics of contemporary cultural history (a) popular culture, (b) political culture, (c) religion and religiosity, (d) the history of everyday life. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinarity and complementarity of approaches in order to obtain the most comprehensive and plastic picture of the past.)
The study programme Contemporary European Cultural History is so far the only historical field in the Czech Republic that explicitly thematizes contemporary cultural history, moreover at the European level. The cultural component is now perceived as an essential aspect of a number of areas of historiography. There is talk not only of "new cultural histories", but also, for example, of "new political histories", i.e. questions of politically connotated struggles for cultural domination or, conversely, autonomy, etc. However, in order to be able to research and interpret these aspects of the historical process, the candidate must acquire a reliable methodological background, factual support and, if possible, practical experience verified by student projects and workshops.
Tuition fee for the program is 700 € per year.
Vice-dean of PhD Study Programmes:
Guarantor of the Study Programme:
Application available for full-time study and combined study.
Charles University
Faculty of Humanities
Pátkova 2137/5
182 00 Praha 8 - Libeň
Czech Republic
office No 1.25
