Program Overview

Introduction to the Program

The Doctoral Program in Culture Studies aims to explore the various relationships between signs in human communication systems, including complex cultural dynamics and contexts. This program enables students to develop critical perspectives on multiple social phenomena.

Program Structure and Duration

The program lasts for 3 years (6 semestres), with the first year being academic and including face-to-face and tutorial units. Students can request an extension to 4 years (8 semestres) if needed. The program consists of 180 ECTS credits.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee for the first year is 2750 euros, and 1500 euros for the subsequent years. International students should confirm the fees with the academic services.

Language

All work, including the thesis, can be presented in Portuguese. However, some sessions and seminars may be conducted in English.

Research Areas

The program focuses on the following research areas:

• Matrizes da Cultura: Identidades e Poder
• Comunicaçăo, Discurso e Sociedade
• Gestăo de Tendęncias e da Cultura

Thesis Models

The doctoral thesis can assume various models, including:

Model A: Critical and Essayistic

This model reflects traditional practices in Culture Studies, exploring cultural phenomena and dynamics through a specific conceptual and theoretical framework.

Model B: Empirical or Case Study

This model involves empirical research, using methodological protocols to investigate a specific problem in its context.

Model C: Project-Based

This model involves testing models, practices, and solutions for identified questions in different everyday contexts.

Model D: Articulated Sections

In exceptional cases, the thesis can consist of individual sections with high scientific rigor, articulated by a theme and introduction and conclusion.

Admission Criteria

The project of investigation with which the student applies to the doctoral program must fall within one of the specified research areas or articulate between two areas.

Recent and Ongoing Thesis Topics

Some of the recent and ongoing thesis topics include:

• Análise Cultural de Discursos Mediáticos
• Indústrias e Culturas Criativas em Lisboa
• Análise Multimodal Fílmica
• Economia da Cultura
• Tendęncias Socioculturais e Branding
• Semiótica da Street Art
• Discursos Imagéticos Políticos
• Cultura e a Vida Contemplativa
• Tendęncias Socioculturais e Tecnologia
• Cultura e Regime Totalitários
• Media, identidades e discursos
• Análise Cultural Semiótica na Publicidade

Academic and Professional Paths

The program offers two main paths:

Academic Path

Focused on research in areas associated with culture studies, students are inserted into the research lines and projects developed in the Culture and Communication Program and associated research centers.

Professional Path

Students can develop projects with a sectoral or institutional orientation in cultural, artistic, and business contexts, formulating questions and finding solutions for specific problems.

Program Description

The Doctoral Program in Culture Studies aims to provide students with systematic understanding and research methods in the broad domain of culture sciences and cultural studies. It also seeks to contribute to the adaptation of these studies to a constantly changing sociocultural reality, establishing a broad transdisciplinary dialogue between traditional areas of social sciences and humanities.