English Language and Literature

Literature is one of the primary creative acts of humankind, and the study of literature not only exercises our skills of interpretation and critical thinking, but also gives us access to the history and ideas that have shaped our world.
Take this unique opportunity to study in Central Europe with the University of New York in Prague’s talented, international English language and literature instructors. The Czech Republic’s literary history spans languages, genres, and centuries, and includes such notables as Karel Čapek, Franz Kafka, Milan Kundera, and Bohumil Hrabal. Appropriately, the program includes a significant emphasis on comparative world literatures; literature in English from outside the major centers of literary production; and non-canonical literature.

The program’s interdisciplinary focus fosters the development of broadly educated individuals who are able to apply their knowledge and skills creatively and flexibly in a broad range of situations and prepares them for a wide range of careers, or for further study at postgraduate level. This four-year degree is awarded by State University of New York, Empire State College.

Required Courses

Lower-level compulsory English Language & Literature courses

• English Composition 1
• English Composition 2
• College Algebra
• Computers and Applications
• Reason and Argument
• Analysis and Interpretation of Literature
• Genre-based course: 3 credits from the list below:
  • Short Story
  • The Novel
  • Introduction to Poetry
• Theme- or period-based course: 3 credits from the list below:
  • Great Books: Western
  • U.S. Multicultural Fiction
  • Ideal Worlds: Utopian Literature
  • Contemporary Issues in Literature
  • Myth, Symbol, and Fable in Literature
• Social sciences / Cultural studies course: 3 credits from the list below:
  • Introduction to Communication
  • Cultural Anthropology
  • Introduction to Sociology
• Introduction to Media Writing
• Professional writing course: 3 credits from the list below:
  • News Writing
  • Public Relations Principles

Upper-level compulsory English Language & Literature courses

• Other World Literatures in English
• Shakespeare: Power and Justice
• Major 19th-Century British and American Writers
• 20th-Century British and American Novel
• British and American Poetry of the 20th Century
• World Literature in Translation
• English Grammar and Linguistics
• Communication Theories
• Sociolinguistics
• Rhetorical Dimensions of Race, Class, and Gender
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• Advanced Research and Writing
• Advanced professional writing: 3 credits from the list below:
  • News Reporting
  • Advanced Public Relations
  • Translation Workshop
• Senior Project Proposal and Academic Planning
• Senior Project Thesis

Complementary and elective courses

In consultation with their academic advisor, students may choose complementary courses to focus on a certain literary genre, period, or theme; or may focus on a particular area of applied skills such as news writing, public relations, teaching English, or translation.

Elective courses

Each semester, students select elective courses in consultation with an academic advisor, choosing from a wide range of courses, including honors courses and courses in UNYP’s other majors (such as Business, Communication & Media, International Relations, and Psychology).

Please note that students must also fulfill the General Education requirements as part of their bachelor's degree program.

Students need to submit the following by online application: https://www.unyp.cz/admissions/application-form

1. UNYP application form

2. Notarized copy of the High School Diploma and Transcripts (for international students nostrified copy - diploma from a foreign High School must be granted recognition in the Czech Republic). If not yet received, the diploma can be submitted before the program starts.

3. English language certificate - submit one of the following scores or alternatively sit the UNYP institutional English language test which is every week at UNYP, you must sign up in advance TOEFL +72 IELTS +6.0 FCE A,B CAE A,B,C CPE A,B,C CZ/SK State Exams B2 CZ/SK Maturita English score 1 City and Guilds C1,C2 IGCSE, A levels, IB US/UK High School Diploma We offer Foundation program for lower English level, please contact us for more details. All students must take English language entrance essay during UNYP´s orientation. If you score a grade of D or below, you will be required to take English Pre-Composition.

4. Motivation letter (max. 400 words)

5. Recommendation letter - preferably from a professor who can address the candidate’s ability and motivation for enrolling in this program. Form will be delivered to you after the application.

6. Copy of ID or Passport

7. Application Fee of 2,000 CZK (non-refundable) ≅ 80 EUR

8. Motivation interview - after submitting the required documents applicants are invited for an interview with the relevant Head of Department (in person or by video call)