The research topics of the international Phd in European Cultural Studies | Europäische Kulturstudien - first in the Italian university landscape - concern the whole spectrum of interests of international Cultural Studies, both in their Anglo-Saxon (Cultural Studies) and Austrian-German (Kulturwissenschaften) version. The disciplinary areas involved represent the grafting between social problems and the study of both ancient and modern forms of literary and artistic expression.

In particular, starting from the study of multicultural and multiethnic society - keeping in the background the specific relationships between Sicily and Mediterranean area - the doctoral course means to develop themes that allow to deepen aspects of literary and artistic production, such as gender issues (Gender Studies), visual culture (Visual Studies), cultural identity in the era of globalization (local vs. global relationship in literary and artistic production), as well as theoretical issues related to the theory and history of European culture (Kulturgeschichte, Kulturwissenschaften) both ancient and modern.

From the methodological point of view, the doctorate avail itsef of the heritage of theoretical disciplines such as literary theory, comparative literature (in ancient and modern times), aesthetics, geography and ancient and modern anthropology.

Aim of the study course is to train experts in the analysis of culture and cultural productions, as well experts able to work in cultural institutions. In addition of being trained as academic research experts in the scientific areas involved, Phd's doctors will be able to find job opportunities in:

• universities and schools:
• cultural institutions;
• archives and libraries;
• museums, musical, theatrical and cinematographic institutions;
• cultural foundations;
• training activities, public and private, dedicated to these specific areas;
• publishing companies (publishing houses, newspapers, TV etc.);
• international bodies for social and cultural studies;
• policy-makers, offering advice and reading hypotheses and innovative solutions to social problems arising from conflicting identity issues (migrations, inequalities, etc.);
• policies elaborators oriented to the management of transcultural processes in the public and private sphere;
• humanitarian institutions of social service in multicultural and international contexts;
• embassies and representatives abroad (Italian);
• production of cultural events (festivals, reviews, etc.) and multimedia products that require multicultural competence.