Literature and Intercultural Communication

The programme Literature and Intercultural Communication enables its students to understand the changing status of literature within cultural communication and to explore the complex strategies and devices that literature possesses. The programme is unique within the realm Czech philological-cultural studies, as it interfaces the studies of literary theory with the studies of translation, intermediality, adaptation, visual art and culture, thus following the current trends of interdisciplinarization of sciences and studies along with fulfilling the requirement that graduates be flexible in this way. It reflects the dynamic nature of media and cultural communication, the growing preference for visual – rather than verbal – representation of reality in a variety of discourse, and the shift towards multimedia representation, especially artistic forms. The objective of the programme is for the students to master methodological devices needed to analyse the literature and culture of the 21st century (literature and culture being broad concepts). The programme builds up the skills in analysis, interpretation and critical evaluation of literary and non-literary texts, art and popular culture, and the discourse concerning media and society. The nature of the programme leads to the expansion of competences in academic and creative writing, editorship and translation of various types of texts from a foreign language to Czech and vice versa.

Due to its characteristics, the programme brings together students of varying subjects, particularly those with a background in philology, cultural studies and theory of art. In doing so it creates working conditions for a discussion including multiple perspectives, thus fostering a viable environment for the programme’s study aims to be realized. Students are encouraged in uncovering connections between various cultural phenomena, foreign-language cultures, and traditional as well as modern media. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme ensures that its students are capable of understanding culture and literature in a way that would not be provided by studying the singular disciplines. Moreover, the ability to understand the mechanisms of culture enables them to actively participate in their creation.

The structure of the programme is set up so that the students are provided with a common methodological basis for studying literary and cultural phenomena, while utilising their existing knowledge attained in studying the disciplines it encompasses. The mandatory courses equip the students with a default set of knowledge and skills in key areas of study. Subsequently, the elective subjects offer the potential of broadening their existing knowledge and further develop their skills by applying them within one or more fields, based on individual preferences.

Graduates of the programme can utilise the knowledge and skills obtained during their studies in a wide range of professions concerning culture – especially literature and other art forms. The programme enables its students to participate in answering broader intercultural and intermedia issues within society. In the education sphere, the programme creates general conditions for fostering interdisciplinary relationships; regarding culture, it provides flexibility in dealing with current issues of cultural communication in various types of media.

The programme equips its graduates to go on working as translators, editors, literary theorists, culture writers in print or electronic media, and lecturers of artistic and communication skills in education of adults. They can also utilise the knowledge attained in their studies in professions in the educational sector (teachers in philology, art teachers etc.), as well as government workers in the realm of culture.

Deadline for submitting applications: August 1 - November 30

Who the programme is intended for: The programme is offered to graduates of all Bachelor’s philological fields/programmes or related fields/programmes, especially aesthetics, art history, film science, etc. (the similarity of the fields will be assessed on the basis of the application.)

Subject matter of the entrance examination: The admission procedure will take the form of an oral interview, during which the applicants’ basic linguistic and literary competences will be examined. The applicant will demonstrate the ability to apply linguistic and literary knowledge in the linguistic and literary aesthetic interpretation of a text. A good knowledge of one foreign language (German, English, or French) will also be required, at least at the B2 level (certificate not required). For the oral interview, candidates will prepare a reading list of Czech and world literature. Length of the interview: 15-30 min. Candidates will prepare a representative list of primary (fiction, prose, plays...) and secondary (specialist) literature. There is no need to limit the number of titles, but they must be texts that the candidate is able to discuss during the interview.

Programme website: Literatura a mezikulturní komunikace.

General information on the course of the admission procedure to the follow-up Master’s degree programmes at FA MU can be found here. Documents for the current admission procedure are kept in Materials for Applicants.

Criteria for evaluation

Pass/fail line of the entrance examination: 75 points (out of 100).

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Minimum score and numbers of accepted applicants in past years

Graduates can enrol in a doctoral degree study programme in a philological or humanities field.