Dutch Language, Literature and Culture

The Dutch Language, Literature and Culture degree programme is typically offered every two years and can be studied as either a major or a minor subject.

The aim of the programme is to acquire practical language competence in Dutch at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), as well as to gain a solid academic foundation in philology, particularly in the fields of linguistics, literature, history and culture of Dutch-speaking countries. Students also gain an introductory insight into translation theory and practice, reflecting the programme’s progression into the follow-up Master’s degree Translation of Modern European Languages, in which Dutch is one of the specialisations.

As students usually begin learning Dutch upon entering the Faculty of Arts at Masaryk University, particular emphasis is placed on its systematic, intensive and appropriate acquisition from the very beginning.

An important part of the programme is also the acquisition of basic knowledge in business Dutch, which broadens the professional prospects of graduates.

Students are introduced to basic synchronic and diachronic approaches to language, to the fundamentals of literary theory, and in the case of the major to its application, particularly in relation to contemporary literature. Students of the major also acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge of academic research methodology.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• use professional and practical knowledge of Dutch on ERR B2 level acquired during study of Dutch
• is equipped with social, cultural, and historical knowledge about Dutch-speaking countries both in Europe and beyond
• continue in master study and work on the knowledge of the practical Dutch and linguistic, cultural, literary and translation knowledge
• work critically with professional Dutch texts at both receptive and productive levels
• basic business communication in Dutch according to Dutch and Belgian customs orally and in written form
• translate a basic commercial text from and into Dutch, orientate in the basic terminology of translatology and basic translatology
• at B2 level to analyze and comment on the Dutch and Belgian situations on the basis of historical knowledge

The graduate of the field is linguistically equipped at the B2 level in Dutch and is able to cultivate oral and written expression in the language studied, but also in the mother tongue. He is capable of critical thinking and is equipped with excellent knowledge of the language, literature, culture, history and politics of Dutch-speaking countries.

The graduate can easily find employment in a variety of positions within international companies or institutions where a high level of Dutch is required. They are equipped with knowledge of business Dutch for both the Dutch and Belgian markets. Employment opportunities are readily available not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad.

In the commercial sector, they may also work for the Dutch market in areas such as marketing and copywriting.

Furthermore, they can work in language services and translation, as a translator of commercial texts and literary works, a language specialist, or as a lexicographic consultant in dictionary creation. They can also work as a language teacher, both in the Czech Republic and abroad, or in diplomatic services as an embassy employee or a staff member of Czech cultural centers in the Netherlands. Other potential fields include libraries, musea, archives, theatres, and other cultural institutions.

The graduate is also well-suited for employment in tourism and cultural organizations, whether as a tour guide, employee of a tourist/information center, or as a (co-)organizer of cultural festivals, where they can share their expert knowledge of the Netherlands..

Practice is not an obligatory part of the study but it is possible to take the subject Professional experience within an international firm with a department for the Dutch language and it is also possible to start a practical internship within the Erasmus + program. Practice is recommended in the last semester or immediately after graduation. The subject called Project can be a part of practice, the students have the opportunity to connect theoretical knowledge with practical outputs.

A standard scope of a Bachelor's thesis ranges from 72,000 to 90,000 characters including footnotes, cover sheet, content, index, list of literature, and annotations. A Bachelor's thesis does not have the character of an independent empirical research (potential exception shall be approved by the thesis supervisor). Students can work with already published texts and data accessible for secondary analysis. They should demonstrate the ability to work critically with specialized texts, process the concepts and theories discovered there, and find relevant answers to the given question.

The aim of the bachelor thesis is an individual work in the field of lingsuitics, literature of history and culture of the Netherlands and Belgium within which the students will gain a deeper insight in the chosen topic.