Medieval Latin Language and Literature

Medieval Latin Language and Literature, i.e. the philology of the Latin Middle Ages, is a pivotal branch of European Medieval Studies. As a discipline that makes primary sources of information written in Latin accessible to medievalists, it provides the necessary foundations for all branches of science that deal with the European Middle Ages. Such branches include history, philosophy, theology, archaeology, art history, music history, history of science as well as the historical parts of social sciences (psychology, sociology). Most importantly, Medieval Latin Language and Literature is a standalone discipline in its own right. Apart from making accessible a wide spectrum of sources written in Latin, it provides their critical interpretation and contextualizes them in terms of the wider literary and historical tradition of European culture. The intrinsic nature of Medieval Latin Language and Literature makes this field of research truly interdisciplinary. This discipline is irreplaceable in the process of understanding the history of Europe in the Middle Ages as well as the origins of the phenomenon of modern Europe.

„Instrue, quid possis, animum, ne discere cesses.“ „Equip your mind with precepts, do not fail to learn,“ Catonis Disticha moralia III,1“

Doctoral programme in Medieval Latin Language and Literature can be studied:

1. as a single subject Medieval Latin Language and Literature: this study plan focuses primarily on material written in medieval Latin. It familiarises students in a detailed manner with medieval Latin language and literature in its widest cultural context. The aim of this programme is to prepare professional and competent researchers in the field of medieval Latin language and literature;

2. with specialization in the Historical languages of the Czech lands: this study plan is organized on the basis of Latin-German-Czech character of medieval literature and deals with other languages that were used in written sources of Bohemian provenance. Therefore, the aim of this study plan is to provide students with a complex insight into medieval language and literature written in Latin, German, and Czech.

Both study plans are offered as full-time or distance programmes.

Applicants to the Medieval Latin Language and Literature programme can be graduates of Latin Language and Literature or of related fields, such as Czech studies, Romance languages, History, Auxiliary historical sciences, Philosophy, Religion or Theology. Applicants from fields other than Latin philology have to demonstrate their knowledge of Latin language and of ancient culture during the entrance examination (at least to the extent of the State Examination in Bachelor's degree in Latin language and literature).

Further information

https://www.phil.muni.cz/pro-uchazece/doktorske-studium/16373-latinska-medievistika

http://classics.phil.muni.cz/

Graduates of the doctoral degree in Medieval Latin Language and Literature will have a wide knowledge of European cultural and literary developments based on their roots in the Latin Middle Ages. They will have mastered the Latin language of the classical and medieval periods. Graduates can find jobs as editors of medieval texts preserved only in manuscripts. They are prepared to teach Classical and Medieval Latin language at schools of all levels. They can interpret and perfectly translate relevant literary and diplomatic texts. They can find employment especially at various institutions of the Academy of Sciences, in archives, libraries and museums that house and work with medieval literary and diplomatic texts. Moreover, graduates can find employment also in various cultural areas and the media. A noticeable advantage of the graduate is his/her interdisciplinary background and a good knowledge of the roots of the literary culture of Europe.

Deadline for submitting applications: January 1 - April 30

Deadline for submitting documents for the admission procedure: May 15

Documents for the admission procedure:

• signed CV;
• list of publishing activities (if any);
• doctoral thesis project .

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.

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

The applicants can obtain a maximum of 100 points. The minimum number of points for passing the exam is 70. The applicants are assessed in the following areas:

• dissertation project (max. 40 points);
• professional preparedness (max. 40 points);
• motivation (max. 20 points).