The doctoral programme is structured into the following four areas:

Working on Your Dissertation (mandatory) 151 CP	3 Interdisciplinary seminars from the 4 following fields (mandatory/elective area) 15 CP	Practice perspectives/ Transferable Skills (elective area) 8 CP	Research colloquia** (mandatory) 6 CP
Flexible Work on Your Own Project (Including Research Stays Abroad)	Literature as Textual Practice* (5 CP) Literature from a Transnational Perspective* (5 CP) Literature and Knowledge* (5 CP) Literature, (Inter)Mediality and the Arts * (5 CP)	DRS & HGS courses or full-day workshops on: Project Management or Comparable Offers Science Communication Knowledge Transfer / Didactics / Teaching Good Academic Practice (1 CP) and/or Own Teaching (5 CP)	Annual Research Colloquium I (2 CP) Annual Research Colloquium II (2 CP) Annual Research Colloquium III (2 CP)
* A total of three seminars from three different areas must be attended. At least one of these seminars must be offered by the FSGS. Two of the three seminars may be replaced by equivalent courses at a German or international university. ** The colloquia are held during the winter semesters.

Working on your dissertation

All research projects at the Graduate School address comparative questions in a variety of contexts. This diversity of topics is accompanied by a range of methodological approaches, shaped by different academic traditions and adapted to the respective research material. Within the structured doctoral programme, doctoral candidates reflect on the methods and perspectives of their own discipline and relate them to the approaches of their peers.

The curriculum leaves the greatest possible scope for independent work on the dissertation itself (151 of 180 CP).

Research colloquia

The first-year colloquium introduces doctoral candidates to the methodological diversity of literary studies and supports them in developing their research questions in a comparative perspective. Drawing on projects that are not limited by region or historical period, methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks become clear through joint discussion.

The three interdisciplinary annual research colloquia (held in the winter semester) are mandatory (6 CP). They are led by experienced faculty and ensure that individual projects are opened up to interdisciplinary perspectives. In addition to postdocs and visiting doctoral candidates, supervisory teams also participate in the presentation sessions.

Seminars

Transdisciplinary doctoral seminars on methodology and literary theory (15 CP) are offered regularly by FSGS faculty. These seminars are freely selectable and are organised around overarching thematic focuses derived from the FSGS research areas, which provide orientation and guidance.A total of three seminars must be completed, including at least one offered by the FSGS. The seminars—whether taken at the FSGS or at other universities—should cover three different FSGS research areas. Recognition of seminars completed outside the FSGS (confirmation of attendance [PDF]) is handled by the managing director.

Workshops: Practice Perspectives / Transferable Skills

Contemporary doctoral training increasingly requires the development of skills that were traditionally associated with later career stages. Accordingly, professional and career-oriented support (8 CP) complements the curriculum.

Teaching experience—whether independent or in collaboration with experienced faculty (5 CP)—as well as the organisation of academic events, publication of conference reports, literary criticism, or academic articles, contribute to qualifications for careers in research and teaching (51% of graduates) or academic management (16%). In addition, events introduce potential career paths in fields such as journalism, publishing, the cultural sector, or consulting (33%).

The Graduate School’s alumni network is particularly valuable: alumni share their experiences in the lunch forum and discuss topics such as internships, research stays abroad, networking, and career development at the summer café.

The Dahlem Research School (DRS)offers a wide range of workshops on key skills (e.g. time management, conflict resolution, presentation skills, language training, and thesis defence preparation), complemented by high-quality mentoring (0.5 CP per workshop day).

Since the amendment of the “Regulations for the Doctoral Programme ‘Literary Studies – Literaturwissenschaftliche Studien’” in March 2020, PhD candidates are also required to obtain one credit point in the field of "Good Academic Practice" (Gute wissenschaftliche Praxis (GWP)).