PhD in Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures: Diversity and Inclusion

1. DESE - European Literatures 
2. EDGES - Women''s and Gender Studies 
3. World Literature and Postcolonial Studies 
4. LINGMOD - Modern Languages Studies

Curriculum 1: DESE - European Literatures

Within the departmental excellence project “Diversity and Inclusion”, the DESE curriculum trains young researchers (specialists) who will master the map of the literary topoi characterizing the European tradition from the Middle Ages to the present, and who will be able to compare different methods of analysis in several languages. The research project and the thesis will include at least three European literatures, whose language candidates are supposed to master, and will have to focus on the theme of conflict in its broadest sense. This will include war, social and class conflicts, identity conflicts (of groups and/or individuals), generational, linguistic conflicts (between nations or within the same nation, or even within the same individual if trans-/multi-lingual), cultural, literary conflicts (for example between movements, schools, journals, genres). 
Languages: Fluent knowledge of Italian, French and English is mandatory along with other possible languages connected with the topic of the dissertation, which can be perfected during the PhD course. The vehicular language in the PhD programme is French, the dissertation can be written either in French or in English. The discussion during the final exam will be in the languages the PhD student is required to know.

Curriculum 2: EDGES Women’s and Gender Studies

EDGES aims to investigate literature and cultural studies, gender methodologies and gender theories as places for the production of critical thinking, analyses of texts in different literary genres and their historical and cultural contex, circulation and consolidation of cultures of equality, valorisation of diversity and social inclusion.
The research topic of the 39th cycle of the PhD programme deals with the theme of conflict in its different variations, on how it emerges in relation to gender relationships in women’s literary works in the Early Modern age, the eighteenth century, the Romantic and Victorian period, and from Modernism up to the present day.
EDGES will therefore favour the development of research projects connected to the different forms of conflict, from military confrontations, to literary disputes, and cultural thought, where gender issues are put at the centre in order to rethink and redefine subjectivity in relation to processes of both silencing and exploiting female voices and to those of empowerment and self-determination of women and marginalized subjects. The theme of conflict will also be analysed as a tool for rethinking processes of inclusion, the enhancement of diversity, and overcoming geographical, political, and literary boundaries. Following the methodologies and theories of gender and women's studies, and feminist criticism, projects may include a variety of approaches, for example eco-criticism, cultural heritage, and cultural studies.
The curriculum EDGES includes a mandatory training internship on the issue of equal opportunities, access to education, and the enhancement of diversity.

Languages: during the oral exam the knowledge of Italian, English, and Spanish will be ascertained (for Spanish the ability to read and understand a literary text.)

The final dissertation must be written in English.

Curriculum 3: World Literature and Postcolonial Studies (WorldLit)

The curriculum proposes a transversal path of inquiry on the relationship between theoretical approaches originated in different historical moments and transdisciplinary critical trends. It opens to literary studies focussed on themes inscribed in a multifaceted, interconnected, and dynamic reality: decolonization, cultural and linguistic diversity, inclusion and citizenship, migration, traditions and social innovation, hyper-diversity, complex eco-systems, and cultural /transcultural heritage. Literary practice is approached as an articulated phenomenon at the centre of local and global processes of distribution and dissemination that affect the relationship between culture and territory/territories. This in turn leads to rethinking dominant systemic models in the light of ethical and plural viewpoints. Attention is given to the concept of "literary form" in both a diachronic and synchronic perspective. Various modes of reading, fruition and reader involvement are also considered. For the 39th cycle we propose a reflection on the concept of "conflict”, recovering its semantic complexity: not only war and trauma, but also the conflict, the clash, the collision derived from the encounter (wanted or forced) between different cultures, traditions and mentalities. We encourage projects that explore how, from a WorldLit perspective, literary forms contribute to understand the limits and the potential of ''conflict'' and to build memory and awareness of past and current transcultural processes. The literary sign is therefore probed as an agent of awareness, investigating how productions differing by gender, ''gender'', authorship, language, geo-cultural specificity and history can suggest useful strategies to overcome or resolve conflict. We also encourage projects with a closer narratological scope that examine texts in their structural and stylistic features, reflect on the ongoing ''conflict'' between different expressive codes and assess the ontological status of WorldLit.

Curriculum 4: LINGMOD - Modern Languages Studies

This curriculum involves scientific and research expertise on modern languages from the perspectives of pragmatics, communication, translation and translation theory, aiming to train specialists in at least two languages in different theories and methodologies. It aims to develop a high level of scientific expertise, as required to tackle linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as the big social challenges implied by multicultural, intercultural and multilingual societies. The projects submitted for the 39th cycle of the PhD programme must address topics connected with the ideas of conflict and reparation, mediation, intercultural communication, and rewriting of the past analyzed from a linguistic point of view. The curriculum prioritizes the study of language and languages in context/ in action, especially their intertwining with sociocultural issues relevant to the topics referenced above. A variety of approaches (sociolinguistics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, conversation analysis, interactional linguistics, linguistic anthropology, applied linguistics, language acquisition, translation studies and digital humanities) may be adopted.
Languages: the interview will ascertain knowledge of two of the following languages, chosen by the applicant: Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, English, Dutch, Spanish, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, German. Knowledge of Italian, in addition to two of the languages chosen from the list, is a mandatory prerequisite.

Appointed by RD n. 709/2023 Prot n. 149534 on Jun 02, 2023

Internationality, interdisciplinarity, transculturality, cultural and linguistic Diversity, Inclusion, Citizenship and gender studies are the key words of the PhD course developed in the curricula: DESE European literature as seen through one main transversal theme, therefore providing a vision of the literature that overcomes the concept of foreign language and culture; EDGES: gender and women’s studies, literature literature as site for the production, circulation and stabilization of gender cultures of equality, gender theory and gender practice. World Literature: transversal theoretical approaches in postcolonial studies, transmedia studies, border studies, migratory phenomena, new Forms of textuality. LINGMOD aims at forming specialists in at least two languages who approach research in linguistic and cultural diversity in multicultural and multilingual societies from the perspectives of pragmatics, communication, translation theory and applied linguistics.

Along with the cross-curricula teaching activities of the first year, each curriculum has its own specific activities.

• DESE

Mandatory activities according to the agreements with partner institutions. 1st and 2nd year: evaluation of research projects about the annual topic (no more than 20 pp.) (4 projects during the 1st year and 2 during the 2nd). 1st year: tutoring aimed to developing those projects. Professors and PhD candidates of the institutions gather for a scientific evaluation, balances and prospects. 2nd year: lessons (10-20 hours) with foreign professors. 3rd year: doctoral meeting: the PhD candidates present their research topics. It is mandatory to do an internship relevant to the research and to spend 12 months abroad. The PhD thesis must be written in French or English.

• EDGES

Meetings and tutorings with national and international supervisors; presentation of the research in the national and foreign branches according to the co-tutorship agreements provided for the double title; a 250-hours formative internship in institutions with which EDGES has joint agreements or with other institutions that have to sign agreements; 1st year: locating primary and secondary sources; halfway through 2nd year: drafting the 1st theoretical-methodological chapter of the research; PhD thesis written in English.

• WORLD LITERATURE and LINGMOD

1st year specific courses and seminars organized for the curriculum; detailing the project and collecting bibliography, presenting it to the Supervisor and the faculty board, report on one’s activities at the end of the year. 2nd year at least six months of research abroad and writing of one chapter of the thesis by the summer, report on the activities performed. The 3rd year devoted to writing the thesis. PhD candidates organize and/or take part in cultural activities and conferences relevant to their research.

During the first year of the PhD course there will be some cross-curricula teaching activities to be followed by all doctoral students on topics such as: using libraries and databases, research and the humanities; project writing; fundraising; research and international networking; digital publishing; Information Technology and Humanities.
In addition to this, each curriculum has different courses:

• DESE: Working on a macro topic; seminars of evaluation where students' research is presented and discussed with the board; organization of a conference about the state of the art of the topic, internship; end of 3rd year: conference with presentation and evaluation of students' research in preparation of the final exam; mandatory research abroad 12 months.
• EDGES meetings and tutorials with national and international supervisors; candidates are expected to present their research projects both nationally and abroad according to co-tutelle agreements. 250-hour mandatory training internship on equal opportunities, access to education, valorization of diversity, conflict management and the promotion of corporate well-being and diversity management. Mandatory research period abroad for at least 6 months. Seminars on corporate welfare, gender budgeting and diversity management.
• WORLD LITERATURE and LINGMOD 1st year specific courses and seminars organized for the curriculum; detailing the project and collecting bibliography, presenting it to the Supervisor and the faculty board, report on one’s activities at the end of the year. 2nd year at least six months of research abroad and writing of one chapter of the thesis by the summer, report on the activities performed. The 3rd year devoted to writing the thesis. PhD candidates of all curricula organize and/or take part in cultural activities and conferences relevant to their research.

Within the PhD programme there are specific agreements with foreign universities aimed at educational and research activities. There are co-tutorship agreements finalized to the release of double or multiple PhD degrees for students enrolled to this PhD and/or for PhD candidates enrolled to foreign universities. Foreign Professors can take part in the Commission for the awarding of the title of PhD doctor.  Depending on the curriculum, the PhD course can require the participation of PhD candidates to winter/summer schools, conferences and seminars organized by European networks. Thanks to its scientific and cultural specialization, the Phd programme coordinates and supports a large number of collaborations with European and non-European universities (Agreements, double PhD degree, co-tutorships). A Joint Doctorat between Utrecht University (NL) and Bologna University (department LILEC) has been ratified for the curriculum EDGES, which also has agreements for double titles with the Universities of Granada and Oviedo (Spain). The PhD has a stable relationship of scientific partnership with numerous European and non-European universities:

Europe:

• Algarve (P)
• Clermont-Ferrand (F)
• Coimbra (P)
• Complutense de Madrid (E)
• Granada (E)
• Haute Alsace - Mulhouse (F)
• KU Leuven (B)
• Leeds (UK)
• Oviedo (E)
• Paris Creteil (F)
• Paris III-Sorbonne Nouvelle (F)
• Paris IV-Sorbonne (F)
• Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense (F)
• RGGU – Mosca (RU)
• Saarland, Saarbrücken  (D)
• Sofia (BU)
• Tbilisi (Georgia)
• Valladolid (E)
• Utrecht (NL)

Extraeuropean universities:

• Dakar (SN)
• Universidade Federla Fluminense-UFF (Brazil)
• North Western Univesity, Chicago (USA)
• Seattle University (USA)
• Universidad de Montevideo (Uruguay)
• Universidad Nacional Tres de Febrero (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
• Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (MZ)

During the three years of the doctoral cycle  the following scientific initiatives by the PhD candidates are expected and advised:

• organization of seminars, conferences, graduate conferences, etc.
• participation in the organization of activities at the mobility site and/or in the institution where the internship is completed
• publication of articles, essays and reviews on national and international academic magazines and in various volumes
• taking care of conference proceedings
• presentation of papers at national and international academic conferences (at least an essay or a paper a year) about topics related to the PhD research.