Doctoral Studies in Language and Culture

The programme comprises 75 ECTs of courses and a doctoral dissertation of 165 ECTs.

The courses make up two blocks

1. Compulsory foundation courses amounting to 30 ECTs, which everyone studies
2. Elective courses amounting to 45 ECTs, which are different according to the student’s specialisation
   
   

There are four foundation courses, each 7.5 ECTs

1. The Philosophy of Science: Linguistics and Literature (LiLi), an introduction to methodology and the philosophy of science within language and literary subjects
2. Analysing Literature
3. Analysing Language and Interaction
4. Analysing Culture and Media

Please note that we are in the process of revising our selection of foundation courses in consultation with our doctoral students.

The following are an integral part of writing a dissertation

• During the first term, doctoral students present their research project outline at a research seminar.
• In the second term, doctoral students write a research plan and present it at another research seminar.
• At later stages of the dissertation-writing process, doctoral students present their work at a higher seminar and at least two refereed conferences.
• Doctoral students defend a preliminary version of their dissertation at a halfway seminar with an external commentator and two additional reviewers.
• About half a year or more before the final defence, doctoral students defend the penultimate version of their dissertation at a final seminar. This version is discussed by an external commentator, two additional reviewers and fellow PhD students.
• Finally, doctoral students defend their dissertation at a public defence, where it is reviewed by an external opponent appointed by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and assessed (a pass or fail) by an examination board consisting of three external experts in the field.
• The dissertation is printed in the series Studies in Language and Culture and published electronically by Linköping University Electronic Press.

The current general syllabus is available (in Swedish) under the heading “Allmän studieplan” (general syllabus) in the Swedish version of this webpage.