Comparative studies as an opening towards alterity
The aim of the scientific discipline known as “Comparative Studies” is to identify relationships between authors, texts, works of art, movements and phenomena of different cultures so as to highlight their characteristic aspects in terms of both continuity and specificity.
In the contemporary era of multiculturalism and globalization, as the dissemination of ideas becomes increasingly more rapid and widespread, an openness to alterity acquires fundamental significance and impacts linguistic, literary and artistic experiences, thereby modifying consolidated models and creating new ones.
The interdisciplinary perspective has gained a singular prominence as concerns the correct interpretation of the complex dynamics which characterize the interaction between cultures.
More specifically, the comparative approach allows to highlight both the continuities and the specificity of single authors, texts, works of art, movements and phenomena which are investigated and correlated.
The PhD programme in Comparative Studies aims at creating a meaningful and original addition to the panorama of contemporary criticism related to the linguistic, literary and artistic field, by updating well-established canons and creating new ones.
The doctoral training is articulated in three courses:
1. Italian Studies: Literature, Linguistics and Literary Theory
2. Foreign Languages and Literatures
3. History of Art
On the basis of these considerations, and also with reference to recent interchanges within the European Union regarding cultural policies, the comparativist approach allows an important and original expansion of the themes and perspectives of recent research in linguistics, literature and art history.
Thus, the main objectives of the doctoral programme focus on preparing scholars with excellent critical, analytical skills in the fields of literature, languages, art history.
The tools and methodologies acquired by the doctoral candidates in their chosen fields of study will be enhanced and strengthened thanks to the typically comparativist contributions inherent in the comparison of different cultures, languages, literatures, artistic pieces and their contexts. Within the basic uniformity of the doctoral programme, four curricula are offered: Foreign Languages and Literatures; Italian Studies; Art History; Literary Theory and Italian Linguistics.
Career Opportunities
The professional figures that the doctoral programme will be able to perform activities as highly qualified multilingual and multicultural cultural operators, fit to be employed in the cultural industry, University, national and European institutions, to participate and promote research projects sponsored by the EU o other organisms (such as UNESCO, OCSE etc.), by Italian Research Unites and Trusts active in the sectors represented by the doctoral programme.
The high qualification achieved by the PhD will allow them to practice their scientific abilities both in the public sector (libraries, archives, databases for cultural heritage). In addition to that the skills obtained during the PhD programme would enrich the profile of future teachers and headmasters.
Description of the formative activities of the PhD Programme
The PhD programme features mandatory seminars where students are required to participate actively with written papers, reports and reviews, reading reports and bibliographic researches.
The PhD candidates will benefit from the active interaction with the members of the Scientific Board od the programme, which will provide the useful methodological tools required to research and write the final dissertation. The elaboration of the dissertation is composed of individual interviews with the tutor and with the other members of the Scientific Board during the plenary occasions, whose aim is that of monitoring the research work in its completion.
During their research work, the PhD candidates can benefit from the international relations of the programme, which are essential (especially for the Foreign Languages and Literatures course) to retrieve bibliographical materials; in order to do that it is customary for each PhD candidate to spend time abroad (at least three months), especially in the partner research centres. Foreign international lecturers and specialist complete the picture of the formative activities.
The academic journals that are hosted by the Department and managed by their lecturers may constitute a rapid and prestigious outlet for the best among the research outputs by the PhD candidates (“Dante”, “Pirandelliana”, “Sincronie”, “Testo e senso”, “La lingua italiana”, “Carte di viaggio” and the Brasil-based “Mosaico”). In addition to the scientific value of the publications, it is noteworthy that the collaboration to these editorial activities (consistently with the formative activities here listed) allows the PhD students to apprehend, under the guidance of the teaching staff, the rules and workings of an editorial board.
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