Department of English and American Studies

The Curriculum 2006/2007
(Czech version)

Studies at the Department of English and American Studies are divided into to basic forms:

  1. Bachelor's degree studies (Bc.)
  2. Master's degree studies (Mgr.)

    * Five year studies are not being offered to new students.

The list of compulsory, facultative and optional seminars is a part of the Program of Studies. Modifications of the list of courses will be posted prior to the beginning of a semester, if any; the current valid list is in the Information System of the Masaryk University (http://is.muni.cz).

1. Bachelor's degree studies (Bc.)

Bachelor’s degree studies at the Department of English and American Studies is offered as single subject and double subject programs. Both programs usually last for 6 semesters, while the maximum length of studies is limited up to 8 semesters.

The First Year is composed of compulsory courses introducing students into the fields of studies dealt with in the following years. This year ends with a qualifying examination in English language that consists of written and oral parts.

In the second stage of the Bachelor’s degree studies (2nd and 3rd years), one course is compulsory and the rest are facultative. At the end of the studies, students write a bachelor’s thesis (diploma or non-diploma) and pass the final bachelor’s state exam which consists of four written exams in literature, linguistics, cultural studies and English language (which also has an oral part).

Students are obliged to gain 4 credits in Philosophy and 4 credits in Physical Training (common courses compulsory for all students of the Faculty of Arts offered by the Department of Philosophy and the Faculty of Sports, respectively) and meet the Faculty's criteria concerning other foreign language (min. 3 credits).

A. Double subject

In order to be allowed to sit for Bachelor's exam (AJ19999) at the end of the bachelor's studies, the minimum of 76 credits must be gained (besides the final thesis).

  1. First year
    1. The First Year Program of the studies of English Language and Literature is composed of compulsory courses with the following codes (34 credits total):
      • Fall semester
        AJ01001 Practical Language I (2 credits)
        AJ02001 Introduction to Linguistics (4 kr.)
        AJ02003 English Grammar I (1 kr.)
        AJ04001 Introduction to Literature I (2 kr.)
        AJ06001 Introduction to British Studies I (2 kr.)
        AJ07001 Introduction to American Studies I (2 kr.)
      • Spring semester
        AJ01002 Practical Language II (2 kr.)
        AJ02002 Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology (4 kr.)
        AJ02004 English Grammar II (3 kr.)
        AJ04003 Introduction to Literature II (4 kr.)
        AJ06002 Introduction to British Studies II (4 kr.)
        AJ07002 Introduction to American Studies II (4 kr.)
    2. Students who began their studies in the previous years and gained less than 34 credits in the first year of studies must compensate the difference in the number of credits in the following years (see ii.e).
    3. Student must pass the qualifying exam (AJ09999).
  2. In 2nd and 3rd Years, students choose their own program each semester. Nevertheless, they have to fulfill the following requirements:
    1. Pass three basic literary courses and finish them with exams; two of them dealing with the history of British literature (codes AJ14000 to AJ14007) and one with history of American literature(codes AJ15000 to AJ15002).
    2. Pass three cultural studies courses of the following and finish them with exams. The codes of these courses begin with AJ16xxx, AJ17xxx and AJ18xxx.
    3. Pass three linguistic courses of the following and finish them with exams: Introduction to Syntax (AJ12054), Introduction to Sociolinguistics (AJ12070), Introduction to Semantics (AJ12071), Intoduction to Functional Syntax (AJ12102), Introduction to Morphology and Lexicology (AJ12103) and Introduction to Stylistics (AJ12104).
    4. Pass Introduction to Translation (AJ19000) and finish it with an exam.
    5. The sum total of credits gained at the English Department (besides credits listed in iii.) hast to be at least 76.
    6. Pass the exam in English language (AJ11010) in the end of the 4th semester.
  3. The Thesis.
    1. Students who finish their studies with English Language and Literature as their major subject have to pass the Bachelor's Thesis Seminar (AJ19800, 15 credits) and write and defend a bachelor's major (diploma) thesis (AJ19850).
      The process of writing a B.A. major thesis usually lasts at least two semesters: in the first semester, the student prepares for writing and submits assignments in the electronic Thesis Seminar, and in the second semester, the student writes, finishes and hands in the thesis.
    2. Students who finish their studies with English Language and Literature as their minor subject have to pass the Bachelor's Minor Thesis Seminar (AJ19700, 5 credits) and write a bachelor's minor (non-diploma) thesis (AJ19750).
      The process of writing a B.A. minor thesis usually lasts at least two semesters: in the first semester, the student prepares for writing and submits assignments in the electronic Thesis Seminar, and in the second semester, the student writes, finishes and hands in the thesis.

B. Single Subject Studies

In order to be allowed to sit for the Bachelor's exam (AJ19999) at the end of the bachelor's degree studies, the minimum of 168 credits must be gained.

  1. First Year.
    1. The First Year Program of the studies of English Language and Literature is composed of compulsory courses with the following codes (34 credits total):
      • Fall semester
        AJ01001 Practical Language I (2 credits)
        AJ02001 Introduction to Linguistics (4 kr.)
        AJ02003 English Grammar I (1 kr.)
        AJ04001 Introduction to Literature I (2 kr.)
        AJ06001 Introduction to British Studies I (2 kr.)
        AJ07001 Introduction to American Studies I (2 kr.)
      • Spring semester
        AJ01002 Practical Language II (2 kr.)
        AJ02002 Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology (4 kr.)
        AJ02004 English Grammar II (3 kr.)
        AJ04003 Introduction to Literature II (4 kr.)
        AJ06002 Introduction to British Studies II (4 kr.)
        AJ07002 Introduction to American Studies II (4 kr.)
    2. Students who began their studies in the previous years and gained less than 34 credits in the first year of studies must compensate the difference in the number of credits in the following years (see ii.e).
    3. Student must pass the qualifying exam (AJ09999).

  2. In 2nd and 3rd Years, students choose their own program each semester. Nevertheless, they have to fulfill the following requirements:

    1. Pass three basic literary courses and finish them with exams; two of them dealing with the history of British literature (codes AJ14000 to AJ14007) and one with history of American literature(codes AJ15000 to AJ15002).
    2. Pass three cultural studies courses of the following and finish them with exams. The codes of these courses begin with AJ16xxx, AJ17xxx and AJ18xxx.
    3. Pass three linguistic courses of the following and finish them with exams: Introduction to Syntax (AJ12054), Introduction to Sociolinguistics (AJ12070), Introduction to Semantics (AJ12071), Intoduction to Functional Syntax (AJ12102), Introduction to Morphology and Lexicology (AJ12103) and Introduction to Stylistics (AJ12104).
    4. Pass Introduction to Translation (AJ19000) and finish it with an exam.
    5. Get at least 40 other credits for courses offered at the English Department including the courses in Practical English (AJ11003-6). The sum total of credits gained at the English Department (besides credits listed in "g." and "h."), has to be at least 114.
      (The exact number of credits needed for being allowed to sit for the Bachelor's exam depends on the year of the beginning of studies. Students who were enrolled in 2004 and earlier follow the Study Regulation of 2005/06.)
    6. Pass the exam in English language (AJ11010) in the end of the 4th semester.
    7. Get at least 39 credits for any courses offered at the Masaryk University*.
    8. Pass the Bachelor's Thesis Seminar (AJ19800, 15 credits) and write and defend a bachelor's major (diploma) thesis (AJ19850).
      The process of writing a B.A. major thesis usually lasts at least two semesters: in the first semester, the student prepares for writing and submits assignments in the electronic Thesis Seminar, and in the second semester, the student writes, finishes and hands in the thesis.

    *Students may gain the credits listed in "g." from the first semester of their studies.

2. Master's degree studies (Mgr.)

Master's degree studies at the Department of English and American Studies has two forms: English Language and Literature (point "A") and Teaching English Language and Literature at Secondary Schools (point "B"). It is possible to study both forms as single or double subject.

Students may study both English Language and Literature and Teaching English at Secondary schools parallelly. They then pass courses offered in both programs (e.g. compulsory and facultative courses) only once, but they register for them in both study programs.

Each student has to choose one of four specializations ("tracks") offered at the English Department: Linguistics, Literature, Cultural Studies or Translation. Students in the Teaching program may also choose the methodological track. The studies are to be organized according to the selection, so that the requirements listed below are fulfilled. At the end of their studies, students write the Master's thesis (major or minor) and pass the State Exam.

Studens must pass an exam in French, German, Russian or Spanish according to the Faculty's Regulations.

A. English Language and Literature (two year program)

i. Double Subject

  1. In order to be allowed to sit for the Master's final state exam (AJ29999), a student who finishes their studies as a major (diploma) subject must get at least 70 credits at the English Department while fulfilling the following requirements:
    1. Pass Cultural and Literary Theory I and II (AJ20001 a AJ20002) and finish them with exams.
    2. Pass Historical Development of English (AJ20003) and finish it with an exam.
    3. Pass the Exam in English Language (AJ21110) in the course of the studies or have recognized any of the following:
      1. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, or
      2. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with grade 7 or higher, or
      3. the result of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with the score
        • 600 points or more on a paper test (PBT), or
        • 250 points or more on a computer test (CBT), or
        • 100 points or more on an Internet test (iBT), or
      4. 75 or more points in English proficiency exam as a part of the BA exam at the Department of English and American Studies, FF MU.
    4. Pass three courses within the selected track and finish them with exams.
    5. Gain 4 more credits at the English Department.
    6. Pass Master's Thesis Seminars I and II (AJ29800 and AJ29801, total 30 credits).
    7. Write and defend a Master's Major (Diploma) Thesis (AJ29850).
      The process of writing an M.A. major thesis usually lasts at least three semesters: in the first semester, students prepare for writing and submit assignments in the electronic Thesis Seminar I (AJ29800), in the second semester, they write the thesis and gain credits for that in the Thesis Seminar II (AJ29801), and in the third semester, they finish and hand in the thesis.

  2. In order to be allowed to sit for the Master's final state exam (AJ29999), a student who finishes their studies as a minor (non-diploma) subject must get at least 50 credits at the English Department while fulfilling the following requirements:

    1. Pass Cultural and Literary Theory I and II (AJ20001 a AJ20002) and finish them with exams.
    2. Pass Historical Development of English (AJ20003) and finish it with an exam.
    3. Pass the Exam in English Language (AJ21110) in the course of the studies or have recognized any of the following:
      1. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, or
      2. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with grade 7 or higher, or
      3. the result of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with the score
        • 600 points or more on a paper test (PBT), or
        • 250 points or more on a computer test (CBT), or
        • 100 points or more on an Internet test (iBT), or
      4. 75 or more points in English proficiency exam as a part of the BA exam at the Department of English and American Studies, FF MU.
    4. Pass three courses within the selected track and finish them with exams.
    5. Gain 7 more credits at the English Department.
    6. Pass Master's Minor Thesis Seminar (AJ29700, 10 credits).
    7. Write Master's Minor (Non-Diploma) Thesis (AJ29750).
      The process of writing an M.A. minor thesis usually lasts at least two semesters: in the first semester, students prepare for writing and submit assignments in the electronic Thesis Seminar (AJ29700), and in the second semester, they write, finish and hand in the thesis.
ii. Single Subject
  1. In order to be allowed to sit for the Master's Final Stale Exam (AJ29999), a single subject student has to get at least 120 credits while fulfilling the following requirements:
    1. Pass Cultural and Literary Theory I and II (AJ20001 a AJ20002) and finish them with exams.
    2. Pass Historical Development of English (AJ20003) and finish it with an exam.
    3. Pass the Exam in English Language (AJ21110) in the course of the studies or have recognized any of the following:
      1. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, or
      2. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with grade 7 or higher, or
      3. the result of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with the score
        • 600 points or more on a paper test, or
        • 250 points or more on a computer test, or
      4. 75 or more points in English proficiency exam as a part of the BA exam at the Department of English and American Studies, FF MU.
    4. Pass six courses within the selected track and finish them with exams.
    5. Gain 16 more credits at the English Department.
    6. Get at least 26 credits for any courses offered at the Masaryk University.
    7. Meet the Faculty's requirements concerning another foreign language (4 credits).
    8. Pass Master's Thesis Seminars I and II (AJ29800 and AJ29801, 30 credits total).
    9. Write and defend Master's Major (Diploma) Thesis (AJ29850).
      The process of writing an M.A. major thesis usually lasts at least three semesters: in the first semester, students prepare for writing and submit assignments in the electronic Thesis Seminar I (AJ29800), in the second semester, they write the thesis and gain credits for that in the Thesis Seminar II (AJ29801), and in the third semester, they finish and hand in the thesis.

B. Teaching of English at Secondary Schools

i. Double-subject (three years)

  1. In order to be allowed to sit for the Master's Final Stale Exam (UZAJ9999), a double subject student who finishes their studies as a major (diploma) subject has to fulfill the following requirements:
    1. Pass four pedagogical-psychological courses at the Faculty of Arts (UZB001-UZB004), and
    2. pass English Language and Literature Teaching Methodology (UZAJ9501 and UZAJ9502) and practice (UZAJ9503).
    The student has to fulfill the following requirements and thus gain at least 82 credits at the English department:
    1. Pass Cultural and Literary Theory I and II (UZAJ0001 a UZAJ0002) and finish them with exams.
    2. Pass Historical Development of English (UZAJ0003) and finish it with an exam.
    3. Pass the Exam in English Language (UZAJ1110) in the course of the studies or have recognized any of the following:
      1. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, or
      2. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with grade 7 or higher, or
      3. the result of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with the score
        • 600 points or more on a paper test (PBT), or
        • 250 points or more on a computer test (CBT), or
        • 100 points or more on an Internet test (iBT), or
      4. 75 or more points in English proficiency exam as a part of the BA exam at the Department of English and American Studies, FF MU.
    4. Pass three courses in the selected track and finish them with exams.
      1. If a students selects the linguistic, literary, cultural studies, or translation track, they enrol in courses offered as facultative and optional courses offered at the Department (codes starting with AJ2xxxx).
      2. If a student selects the methodological track, they enrol in facultative and optional courses offered at the Department for the teaching program (codes starting with UZAJ95xx).
    5. Get at least 11 more credits at the English Department (codes starting with AJ2xxxx).
    6. Meet the Faculty's requirements concerning another foreign language (4 credits).
    7. Pass Diploma Thesis Seminars I and II (UZAJ9800 a UZAJ9801, 30 credits total).
    8. Write and defend a diploma thesis (UZAJ9850).
      The process of writing an M.A. major thesis usually lasts at least three semesters: in the first semester, students prepare for writing and submit assignments in the electronic Thesis Seminar I (AJ29800), in the second semester, they write the thesis and gain credits for that in the Thesis Seminar II (AJ29801), and in the third semester, they finish and hand in the thesis.

  2. In order to be allowed to sit for the Master's final state exam (UZAJ9999), a double subject student who finishes their studies as a minor (non-diploma) subject must fulfill the following requirements:
    1. Pass four pedagogical-psychological courses at the Faculty of Arts (UZB001-UZB004), and
    2. pass English Language and Literature Teaching Methodology (UZAJ9501 and UZAJ9502) and practice (UZAJ9503 a UZAJ9504).
    The student has to fulfill the following requirements and thus gain at least 51 credits at the English department:
    1. Pass Cultural and Literary Theory I and II (UZAJ0001 a UZAJ0002) and finish them with exams.
    2. Pass Historical Development of English (UZAJ0003) and finish it with an exam.
    3. Pass the Exam in English Language (UZAJ1110) in the course of the studies or have recognized any of the following:
      1. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, or
      2. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with grade 7 or higher, or
      3. the result of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with the score
        • 600 points or more on a paper test (PBT), or
        • 250 points or more on a computer test (CBT), or
        • 100 points or more on an Internet test (iBT), or
      4. 75 or more points in English proficiency exam as a part of the BA exam at the Department of English and American Studies, FF MU.
    4. Pass three courses in the selected track and finish them with exams.
      1. If a students selects the linguistic, literary, cultural studies, or translation track, they enrol in courses offered as facultative and optional courses offered at the Department (codes starting with AJ2xxxx).
      2. If a student selects the methodological track, they enrol in facultative and optional courses offered at the Department for the teaching program (codes starting with UZAJ95xx).
    5. Get at least 11 more credits at the English Department (codes starting with AJ2xxxx).
    6. Meet the Faculty's requirements concerning another foreign language (4 credits).
    7. Pass Minor Thesis Seminar (UZAJ9700, 10 credits).
    8. Write a minor thesis (UZAJ9750).
      The process of writing an M.A. minor thesis usually lasts at least two semesters: in the first semester, students prepare for writing and submit assignments in the electronic Thesis Seminar (AJ29700), and in the second semester, they write, finish and hand in the thesis.

ii. Single-subject studies (two years)

    In order to be allowed to sit for the Master's Final Stale Exam (UZAJ9999), a single subject student has to obtain at least 120 credits while fulfilling the following requirements:
    1. Pass four pedagogical-psychological courses at the Faculty of Arts (UZB001-UZB004, 19 credits total), and
    2. pass English Language and Literature Teaching Methodology (UZAJ9501 and UZAJ9502) and practice (UZAJ9503), 18 credits total.
    3. Pass Cultural and Literary Theory I and II (UZAJ0001 a UZAJ0002) and finish them with exams (12 credits).
    4. Pass Historical Development of English (UZAJ0003, 6 credits) and finish it with an exam.
    5. Pass the Exam in English Language (UZAJ1110) in the course of the studies or have recognized any of the following:
      1. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, or
      2. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with grade 7 or higher, or
      3. the result of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with the score
        • 600 points or more on a paper test, or
        • 250 points or more on a computer test, or
        • 100 points or more on an Internet test (iBT), or
      4. 75 or more points in English proficiency exam as a part of the BA exam at the Department of English and American Studies, FF MU.
    6. Pass four courses in the selected track and finish them with exams (16 credits).
      1. If a students selects the linguistic, literary, cultural studies, or translation track, they enrol in courses offered as facultative and optional courses offered at the Department (codes starting with AJ2xxxx).
      2. If a student selects the methodological track, they enrol in facultative and optional courses offered at the Department for the teaching program (codes starting with UZAJ95xx).
    7. Get at least 12 more credits at the English Department.
    8. Get at least 3 credits from any course offered at the University.
    9. Meet the Faculty's requirements concerning another foreign language (4 credits).
    10. Pass Diploma Thesis Seminars I and II (UZAJ9800 a UZAJ9801, 30 credits total).
    11. Write and defend a diploma thesis (UZAJ9850).
      The process of writing an M.A. major thesis usually lasts at least three semesters: in the first semester, students prepare for writing and submit assignments in the electronic Thesis Seminar I (AJ29800), in the second semester, they write the thesis and gain credits for that in the Thesis Seminar II (AJ29801), and in the third semester, they finish and hand in the thesis.