The master's program follows on from the three-year bachelor's studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology and Cultural Studies of the Middle East. It includes three optional specializations: Social and Cultural Anthropology, Biological and Ecological Anthropology, Cultural Studies of the Middle East and Africa. The program is built interdisciplinary on the theoretical-methodological foundations of social and cultural anthropology, human ecology, biological anthropology and cultural studies. The framework of the program is the study of human behavior and thinking in its cultural, social and biological variability, including the study of cultural adaptation to environmental conditions and the study of cultural transformations in the context of modernization processes.

Graduates are prepared for professional independent work in fields focused on the study of cultural, social, environmental and biological conditions of human behavior and thinking either in scientific and research institutions, or for application outside the academic sphere - in memory institutions and in the field of cultural heritage care (museums, archives), in educational and cultural organizations (libraries, exhibitions, adult education), in institutions of state administration and local self-government in the social sector, immigration or cultural policy, in the media, in non-governmental organizations aimed at supporting the integration of disadvantaged populations and minorities, in the field of humanitarian aid and development cooperation, in the tourism industry, in international organizations with a Middle Eastern and African agenda (EU, UN, UNESCO, etc.) and in organizations focused on applied research on a whole range of topics including market research.

Detailed information about the study, e.g. a list of compulsory and optional courses, their placement in semesters and years, the content of these courses and other detailed information about the course of study, study regulations, etc. can be found in the study curriculum.

The admission exam takes the form of a written test of general knowledge of social and cultural anthropology and of sub-disciplines according to individual specializations (theory of culture and applied anthropology / biological and ecological anthropology / realities of the Middle East and Africa) within the scope of bachelor's knowledge. Additional questions from the social sciences and humanities, Czech and world literature, art history and international relations can also be part of the test.

The aim of the follow-up study of archaeology is to prepare highly qualified experts who will be able to work independently in the field of archaeology, master its theoretical and methodological foundations, understand archaeological sources, and be prepared to analyse, synthesise, and interpret them in a broad historical context. Emphasis is placed on mastering the system of archaeological sources, the habit of independent learning, thinking, and doing research with an emphasis on deepening the knowledge of theory and methodology of the field. In line with the long-term research orientation of the Department of Archaeology in Pilsen, in addition to a broader erudition in the discipline as part of the local and European context, the study programme focuses on two narrower profiles that correspond to modern research trends but also meet the needs of investigation and protection of cultural heritage. The first specialisation is focused on the archaeology of the landscape and construction (immovable monuments) and the second on material culture (movable artifacts). This profile is complemented by a diachronically conceived choice of focus on individual periods (specialisation in archaeology of prehistory, the Middle Ages, the modern age, and modernity). The study programme prepares students to work in memory, educational, research and academic institutions, but also, for example, in the field of public administration in positions where a master degree is required.

The graduate shall have advanced knowledge of archaeological theory and methods, as well as a broad knowledge of archaeology in the Czech and European environment. They shall be able to connect the practical approach of empirical archaeology in the field and laboratory with higher level theoretical questions. They shall proceed independently when finding and critically evaluating sources of Czech and European archaeology, they shall be able to carry out empirical research (with emphasis on field and laboratory research), analyse, evaluate, and interpret results using a wide range of archaeological procedures, technical equipment, and software. The graduate will gain a narrower specialisation in landscape archaeology or the study of material culture and, in addition, already focus on a specific historical period. With regard to the acquired knowledge and skill, they shall have competencies for activities in the field of protection, administration, presentation and popularisation of historical heritage (especially museum and monument institutions), rescue archaeology (public and private organisations; archaeological rescue research of monuments endangered especially by construction activities), public administration (spatial planning, prevention, and protection of monuments, assessment of criminal activity related to archaeological monuments, customs service), but also in the commercial sphere (e.g., tourism, media). After gaining required practical training, the acquired knowledge and skills enable the graduates to professionally work in archaeology, according to the Act No. 20/1987 Coll., on State monument care, as amended. At the same time, graduates are fully prepared for study at the doctoral level and for work in scientific research institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad.

Detailed information about the programme, such as the list of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective courses, their distribution across semesters and years of study, content of the courses, and other detailed information on the course of study, study regulations, and more can be found in the study plan.

The entrance exam comprises of an oral interview, during which the committee shall assess the applicant’s knowledge of archaeology and their motivation to study.

This study programme meets the needs of the Pilsen and Karlovy Vary regions and responds to the strengthening co-operation with Bavaria (especially since 2015) reflected in all spheres of the social and economic life and thus to the growing need for qualified professionals in that area. Thanks to their close proximity to Bavaria, Pilsen, Pilsen region, and Karlovy Vary region are logical partners to Bavarian companies and cultural and educational institutions. It is thus very desirable that the frequent interaction in cultural, economical, and educational areas should be finally supported by a university institution which is best equipped to process the Czech-Bavarian theme within projects, specialised papers, and mutual study contacts, and which is itself an interesting partner for concerned parties. The University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (cooperating with the University of Regensburg) is such an institution offering to completely prepare qualified university graduates who will be able to co-create the Czech-Bavarian region in the sense of deeper mutual understanding of its inhabitants, intensive cultural and economic exchange, and strengthening the potential within all areas opened by a border shared with such a strong partner like Bavaria.

This study programme offers a comprehensive response to the regional specifics by preparing graduates with perfect linguistic knowledge (the German language + knowledge of the specifics of Bavarian dialects as regional varieties of standard German) but also a practical skill set necessary in a wide range of commercial and non-profit areas or state administration (management, cultural management, region advertising, tourism growth, business communication, legal matters, project management, etc.) and competence in intercultural communication (stemming from their knowledge of the linguistic, social, historical, and cultural background of the neighbouring countries). Thanks to subjects focused on the linguistic specifics of southern Germany, the graduates, besides knowing general and technical German, can understand and respond to the peculiarities of these dialects and actively communicate with native speakers from various social circles that they can meet in their professional life (tourists, spa visitors, employees of cultural or educational institutions and companies, state administration workers, etc.). Good understanding of those varieties of the German language is one of the important intercultural aspects helping students with faster and more effective communication with the Bavarian native speakers who appreciate their knowledge. Therefore, such abilities represent an important social aspect as well.

Detailed information about the programme, such as the list of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective courses, their distribution across semesters and years of study, content of the courses, and other detailed information on the course of study, study regulations, and more can be found in the study plan.

The entrance exam consists of a written test in the German language and the knowledge of cultural and linguistic facts about Germany (with an emphasis on Bavaria) and an interview in German (the student’s motivation for the selected study programme, grasp on the Czech-German and Czech-Bavarian relations within the European context, knowledge of the current affairs in the area, presentation of the bachelor thesis or the student’s other potential activities related to Czech-German and Czech-Bavarian relations or their experience with living, studying or working in Germany).

The proposed follow-up master study programme, Humanities studies, is focused on an analysis of the nature and mutual connections of the main dimensions of human creative activity in the European cultural environment. The dimensions are science, philosophy, religion, and art. Analysing the specifics of those dimensions and their formative impact on the European cultural environment is the main contribution of this study programme. Their specificity is observed, above all, in the historical context and from the point of view of the changing conceptual and social understanding of those dimensions and their mutual interactions in order to show the reasons underlying the current understanding of the shape, significance, and role of various human creative activities. The purpose of this approach is to highlight the interconnection of changes within the realisation and understanding of such activities and to provide the complexity of the historical process behind the cultural changes of the European civilisation. From this point of view, the study programme cultivates the students’ analytical and critical approach to scientific and philosophical concepts, spiritual trends, and works of art. It further develops the ability to understand individual types of creative activity, different from each other, and the results of their interaction.

The graduates of the Humanities studies follow-up master study programme are well versed in the key topics of the European spiritual tradition. Furthermore, they are able to reflect the cultural, social, and spiritual sources within their own tradition and thus better understand other traditions. They can analyse and evaluate source texts and material and spiritual artefacts from the point of view of their structure and connection to the history and current shape of the European culture. They can use this knowledge and skill set to answer practical questions from the cultural, social, and administrative life of various regions, and propose original solutions to problems both traditional and modern. They have the ability to think and express themselves clearly on complex or controversial topics, and to perform creative interpretation of philosophical or other source texts and secondary literature. Graduates can perform original research work based on critical assessment of texts and other sources of information. They can review diverse concepts and ideological movements critically and propose solutions related to their impact and activity. They can present the results of both individual and team solutions to historical or theoretical issues in front of scientists or a lay audience, not only in Czech but also two foreign languages on B2 level.

Based on the acquired abilities to critically evaluate the course of the primary dimensions of human creative activity and cover the connection between their results, the graduates are prepared to apply themselves in a variety of cultural, educational, and promotional institutions or organisations. Work in museums, galleries, objects in the care of heritage preservation, and organisations devoted to promoting and making accessible heritage of spiritual and material culture seems to be particularly suitable. Considering the acquired knowledge and competence of the graduates, they are best equipped for conceptual planning and organisational tasks within these institutions or organisations. Employment in cultural journalism or media of various types is appropriate as well. Last but not least, the most successful graduates are prepared to continue their studies on the doctoral level of a study programme focused on the humanities, combined art or philosophical topics.

Detailed information about the programme, such as the list of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective courses, their distribution across semesters and years of study, content of the courses, and other detailed information on the course of study, study regulations, and more can be found in the study plan.

The entrance examination has the form of an interview during which the committee assesses the candidate’s general cultural knowledge and overall study motivation. The exam is focused on questions about philosophy, history, religious studies, and the history and theory of art (literature, painting, sculpture, architecture, and film) of the European countries above all, but they can have a global context as well. The questions are based on the candidate’s list of specialised literature and their own qualifying work (bachelor or diploma thesis). This thesis is not required to be related to the study field.

The study is focused on familiarising the students thoroughly with the field of international relations and its specific research areas (international security, integration processes, theories, etc.). Great emphasis is also placed on the students developing independent analytical skills applicable in the public and private sector. The students will get acquainted with important research procedures, try different techniques of data processing and their interpretation. An integral part of the study is also the development of presentation and communication skills. Within the offered specialisations, the students will focus either on the area of international security or on the field of European studies and policy in the European Union.

Our graduates find employment in a wide range of professions, such as the diplomatic and civil service, in senior positions in public administration, in international organisations, and in the non-profit sector. Thanks to the acquired skills of autonomously analysing reality and solve problems, they can also find employment in the private sphere in the area of foreign relations, in project management, or analytical teams.

Studying in the follow-up programme of International Relations will prepare the students for a practice of international and foreign policy, security policy, and international trade. Based on gained experience in working with various sources of information and writing scholarly texts, the graduate shall be able to independently prepare evaluations and proposals for various aspects of international cooperation, security situation, international diplomacy, and so on. The graduate shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of concepts in international relations, the latest trends in the field, knowledge of the principles applied in the management of foreign policies at all levels of government, understanding individual actors involved in the relations of international system. The graduate has a deep knowledge of individual paradigms, approaches, theories and methods in the field of international relations, complemented by a deeper understanding of specific empirical issues in line with the chosen specialisation. Thanks to the knowledge of methods and theories, the graduate is able to independently examine specific international political and social environments and issues in terms of more general approaches and theories, while also having knowledge of different perspectives of different prisms in the discipline of international relations. The graduate is able to independently choose a suitable method for analysing specific issues in the field of international relations research and can apply it in a suitable way. The graduate has the ability to combine and connect knowledge from various segments of international relations and to understand and critically evaluate the form and impact of foreign policies and phenomena and events taking place in the international system. In line with the chosen specialisation, the graduate is prepared for autonomous analytical, consulting, or public administration activities in the field of European Union policy or international security.

Detailed information about the programme, such as the list of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective courses, their distribution across semesters and years of study, content of the courses, and other detailed information on the course of study, study regulations, and more can be found in the study plan.

The entrance exam comprises of a single written test for both specialisations containing forty questions of the realities of contemporary international politics, modern political history, international organisations, international security, and political geography. The candidate chooses the specialisation on the day of enrolment.

Cabadová Waisová, Š. (2005): Úvod do studia mezinárodních vztahů. Aleš Čeněk.

Druláková, R. – Drulák, P. (2007): Tvorba a analýza zahraniční politiky. Oeconomica.

Kennedy, P. (1996): Vzestup a pád velmocí: Ekonomické změny a vojenské konflikty v letech 1500–2000. Lidové noviny.

Kratochvíl, P. – Drulák, P. (2009): Encyklopedie mezinárodních vztahů. Portál.

The follow-up master study programme of Modern History aims to provide the students with necessary knowledge and skills for independent research in this field, primarily within the specialisation in the history of the 19th and 20th centuries. The study programme shall significantly deepen student’s knowledge of modern history and teach the student to recognise the main trends of contemporary socio-political development in a wider context and in a historical perspective. The study plan is thematically designed to focus primarily on the interpretation of modern Czechoslovak, European, and world history, considering the general context of the development. From the methodical and methodological perspective, a wide range of research procedures are applied during the study, in line with the current knowledge of the discipline and research profiles of the courses’ teachers. At the same time, the emphasis is placed on the current postmodernist approach to historical and political issues of modern history and on the effort to introduce the fundamental issues of the 19th and 20th centuries through the socio-cultural optics of the time and the then perception of political and social events.

Attention is also paid to the language competence of students in the study programme.

Graduates of the follow-up master study programme of Modern History shall have gained a comprehensive knowledge of the political, economic, social and cultural development of the 19th and 20th century, of the war conflicts, or the clash of cultures and civilisations. They also have expanded their competence profile by selecting relevant compulsory elective courses, which are divided geographically and thematically, and focused on modern history (19th and 20th century) as well. The graduate shall be equipped with the necessary factual, methodological and methodical knowledge and skills (including the ability to acquire information electronically) in order to independently interpret historical events based on historically relevant arguments, to critically interpret historical sources and literature and independently process and solve scientific problems. The graduate shall also be able to communicate at a professional level (B2) in at least one foreign language.

The graduate of the follow-up master study programme of Modern History shall be ready to perform all professions requiring university education of historical or related specialisation. The graduate shall acquire professional competence to work, for example, in scientific institutes, archives, museums, cultural institutions (media, publishing houses), or state administration institutions. 

Detailed information about the programme, such as the list of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective courses, their distribution across semesters and years of study, content of the courses, and other detailed information on the course of study, study regulations, and more can be found in the study plan.

The entrance exam takes the form of an oral interview, during which the committee assesses the applicant’s knowledge of world and Czech history and general cultural and historical outlook, and evaluates their motivation and intellectual and personal aptitude for studying. The interview questions will be based on a reading list that the applicant must provide at the entrance examination.

The two-year 120-credit interdisciplinary follow-up master programme combines two areas of study: OV10 – Philosophy, religious studies, and theology (60%) and OV15 – Cybernetics (40%). The programme is guaranteed by the Department of Philosophy of the UWB Faculty of Arts, which cooperates with the Department of Cybernetics and the Department of Informatics and Computer Science of the UWB Faculty of Applied Sciences.

The programme also involves external experts from partner research institutions, especially from the Institute of Philosophy of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, as well as commercial companies, for example the O2 Artificial Intelligence Centre - DataClair.ai. The programme also seeks to reach abroad and deepen international cooperation in the field of contemporary philosophy and digital humanities, for example with the Wittgenstein Archives (University of Bergen, Norway), as well as in the field of interdisciplinary research on artificial intelligence, for instance with the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering (Indiana University, USA).

The study programme is designed as academic, focusing on contemporary philosophy of science and technology and philosophy of language and mind with an overlap to cognitive science, cybernetics, and computer science, taking into account the foundations and methods of the analytic and post-analytic philosophical traditions as well as the phenomenological and hermeneutic traditions.

The programme aims at the philosophical exploration of the nature and transformations of human thought and language in the context of current developments in cybernetics and computer science, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), automatic speech recognition (ASR), human-machine interaction (HMI), automation, and Industry 4.0.

The interdisciplinary curriculum connects basic philosophical research with practical knowledge and results of engineering disciplines, specifically cybernetics and computer science, which are traditionally cultivated at the UWB. Thus, the programme shifts from a historicising conception of philosophy to a philosophical reflection on current applied research and experimental developments in the field of information and communication technologies. The abstract theories and concepts of the philosophy of language and mind and the philosophy of science are applied to specific phenomena and problems brought about by the rapid development of new technologies.

The programme pays special attention to the phenomenon of artificial intelligence, which currently permeates and resonates in all spheres of the human world, from the scientific-technological sphere to the cultural-social and economic-political one, while being shrouded by a multitude of unrealistic ideas and uncertain expectations.

The graduates demonstrate a deep and interrelated knowledge of contemporary theories and methods of philosophy of language and mind, philosophy of science and technology, logic, epistemology and ethics. At the same time, the graduates are oriented in the basic concepts of cognitive science and in the applications of cybernetics and computer science that focus on artificial intelligence. They understand the transformations of human thought and language in the context of human-machine interaction, robotics, and industrial automation. They understand the principles of natural and artificial languages and how they relate to human thought while demonstrating knowledge of the principles of information and communication technologies and new electronic media and networks. They can specify basic paradigms and definitions of AI, describe traditional and current philosophical arguments in the AI debate, and explain key thought experiments related to AI.

The graduates will be able to use the approaches of the analytic and post-analytic traditions as well as the methods of phenomenology and hermeneutics in their philosophical research, which primarily focuses on contemporary issues of science and technology. They can critically reflect, analyse and interpret epistemological, ontological and ethical aspects of current developments in cybernetics and computer science, in particular phenomena such as machine learning and neural networks, automatic speech recognition, natural language processing, cyberspace, virtual and augmented reality, intelligent control systems, and Industry 4.0. They are familiar with new technological trends to the extent that they are able to assess, at least in rough outline, the practical feasibility of proposed solutions. They are able to critically evaluate the technological possibilities of AI and lay perceptions of it, to perform a logical-semantic analysis of the concept of AI in different discourses, and to relate the phenomenon of AI to modern philosophical thinking.

The graduates are able to think independently and rationally about complex problems, argue logically, and express themselves in a sophisticated manner. They can write stylistically diversified texts of various genres and use digital tools and multimedia to visualise and present communications of a scholarly and popularising nature.

The graduates will be prepared for doctoral studies and a career as an academic and researcher in fundamental research. At the same time, they will be employable in the commercial sphere, especially in interdisciplinary teams engaged in applied research and experimental development of digital technologies and AI.

Detailed information about the programme, such as the list of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective courses, their distribution across semesters and years of study, content of the courses, and other detailed information on the course of study, study regulations, and more can be found in the study plan.

Admission to the follow-up master programme is conditional on completion of the bachelor or master degree and successful completion of the entrance examination. The programme is suitable for graduates in the humanities and social sciences who are not shy about programming, as well as for engineers who have the courage to seek answers to philosophical questions.

The entrance exam takes the form of a written test and an oral interview. The written part tests the candidate‘s ability to think analytically (solving logical problems) and to work with a foreign-language technical text (interpreting a technical text in English). The oral interview tests the candidate’s knowledge of the main topics of the study programme and overall motivation to study. The questions will be based on the list of literature brought by the candidate and on the candidate’s own work (qualification theses or seminar papers) thematically related to the study programme.

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The study is focused on a thorough acquaintance with the field of political science and individual research areas within the field (party politics, civil society, electoral studies, etc.). Great emphasis is also placed on the development of students’ independent analytical skills applicable in the public and private sector. Students will get acquainted with important research procedures, try different techniques of data processing and their interpretation. An integral part of the study is also the development of students’ presentation and communication skills. Within the offered specialisations, the students will focus either on the area of populism, nationalism and radicalism, or on the area of public policies.

Our graduates can find employment in a wide range of professions, such as the civil service, in senior positions in public administration, international organisations and the non-profit sector, or in the specialised apparatus of political parties. Thanks to the acquired skill to autonomously analyse and solve problems, they can also find employment in the private sphere in positions of public relations, marketing, project management, in the sphere of media, etc.

The follow-up programme of Political Science produces graduates capable of performing various professions, whose common feature is an independent analysis of the political situation, power relations, activities of political and other actors entering the political process. The graduate is able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political science and social science concepts, the latest trends in the field, knowledge of principles applied in policy management at all levels of government, understanding of the strategies of individual actors involved in the political process. The graduate has a deep knowledge of individual paradigms, approaches, theories, and methods in political science supplemented by a deeper understanding of specific empirical issues within the chosen specialisation. Thanks to the knowledge of methods and theories, the graduate is able to independently examine political and social environments and political issues in terms of more general approaches and theories, while understanding different views on political issues through different prisms of political science. The graduate is able to independently choose a suitable method for analysing specific issues regarding the political system and is able to apply the method in a suitable way. The graduate has the ability to combine and connect knowledge and information from various segments of political science and to understand and critically evaluate the form and impact of individual policies and approaches to solving social and political problems. Within the chosen specialisation, the graduate is prepared for independent analytical, advisory, or public administration work in the field of public policies or in areas related to the matter of nationalism, extremism, or radicalism.

Detailed information about the programme, such as the list of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective courses, their distribution across semesters and years of study, content of the courses, and other detailed information on the course of study, study regulations, and more can be found in the study plan.

The entrance exam takes the form of a written test containing 40 questions that cover the realities of contemporary politics, the development of political thinking, the basics of political theory and political philosophy, comparative political science, and political geography. 

Miller, D. (2003): Blackwellova encyklopedie politického myšlení. 2. vydání. Barrister & Principal.

Cabada, L. – Charvát, J. – Stulík, O. (2015): Současná komparativní politologie. Klíčové koncepty. Aleš Čeněk.

Cabada, L. – Vodička, K. (2011): Politický systém České republiky: Historie a současnost. 3. vydání. Portál.

Novák, M. (2019): Úvod do studia politiky. SLON.

The master study programme of Sociology is a two-year follow-up programme intended for students with completed bachelor degree in social sciences (sociology, political science, social and cultural anthropology, humanities, social work, etc.) who have a deeper interest in theoretically grounded and methodologically advanced study of contemporary societies. The master study of sociology is focused on expanding general theoretical knowledge of modern societies and their transformations. It also focuses on the cultivation of methodological skills that can be applied when studying contemporary societies. The study aims to develop the ability to knowledgeably refer to society, i.e. to synergistically apply the acquired theoretical knowledge and methodological skills when analysing complex social phenomena. The study develops the knowledge and skills acquired in the previous study and demonstrated in the entrance exam, especially by a synthesising problematic approach: the synthesis of sociological theories, combination of different methodological approaches, emphasis on the synergy between theory and empiricism.

The graduates of the master programme of Sociology should find employment in those segments of the labour market where high skills and efficiency are required in the collection, processing, and interpretation of data on social behaviour, actors, organisations, and social systems.

The graduates should easily find employment in institutions for market research, marketing, or advertising, but also in the area of monitoring the quality of products and services, public opinion research, or in the sphere of media. The graduates will also be equipped to work in the state administration, self-government, and non-governmental organisations, especially those that deal with comprehensive social issues. In particular, these will be segments that are closely linked with social development, identification and solution of social problems, effective mapping of social needs, and the provision of social services and policy evaluation. The graduates can also be in charge of projects of the EU agency services, work in consulting companies in the field of education and social development.The best graduates shall be prepared for doctoral studies.

Detailed information about the programme, such as the list of compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective courses, their distribution across semesters and years of study, content of the courses, and other detailed information on the course of study, study regulations, and more can be found in the study plan.

The entrance exam takes the form of a written test, which contains questions covering the methods of social science research, the analysis of sociological data, classical and contemporary sociological theory, and general sociology. Since the study requires advanced knowledge of the English language and at least a basic knowledge of scholarly social science terminology in English, some of the exam questions are formulated in the English language.