Overall Objectives

Offering an international research training programme in literary and cultural studies which is designed to ensure optimum conditions for doctoral candidates in pursuing their PhD, the IPP has proven a pillar of the comprehensive and sustained reform of graduate studies at Justus Liebig University Giessen.

In particular, the IPP

• offers an international curriculum which integrates the doctoral candidates into national and international academic communities;
• acquaints PhD students with state-of-the-art theories, methodologies, approaches and concepts in the fields of literary and cultural studies;
• improves the quality of the dissertation while, at the same time, reducing the time needed to obtain the degree;
• encourages independent research from an early stage on (e.g. through international publications and conferences);
• provides ample opportunity to acquire academic and practical qualifications in cooperation with the GCSC Teaching Centre and the GGK/GCSC Career Service, such as systematic training in academicteaching as well as other practical and professional skills.