Article 1: Introductory provisions

1. This directive establishes the details for conducting the defence of the dissertation topic within doctoral study programmes offered by the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University (hereinafter referred to as “the Faculty” and “the University”).

2. This directive applies to all doctoral candidates admitted to their studies at the Faculty from the academic year 2025/2026 onward.

   
   

Article 2: Defense of the dissertation topic

1. The defence of the dissertation topic (hereinafter referred to as “defence”) constitutes a discussion concerning the candidate’s current preparation of the dissertation, including its methodology and preliminary research findings. The purpose of the defence is to verify the theoretical framework and methodology of the dissertation at the midpoint of the standard duration of doctoral study. During the defence, the doctoral candidate presents and substantiates the work completed over the first two years of their dissertation project and establishes a concrete plan for subsequent research and dissertation writing to complete the study within the standard timeframe, or at most within the standard timeframe plus one additional year.

2. The defence assesses whether the candidate has a firmly established and well‑considered theoretical framework, whether the methodology corresponds to the research questions and objectives of the dissertation, whether the candidate is conversant with core theories and concepts of the discipline, is knowledgeable about the historical and current context of relevant academic debates and approaches, can link theory with methodology and justify the choice of methods with regard to their merits and limitations, and is able to critically reflect upon their research project. The defence further evaluates the candidate’s knowledge of specialised terminology, ability to work with sources, responsiveness to opposition questions, and argumentative performance within the framework of scholarly discussion.

   
   

Article 3: Rules for appointment of the committee

1. The defence takes place before an examination committee composed of three members. The number of committee members present at the defence must be no fewer than two.

2. The committee is appointed by the Dean on the proposal of the doctoral programme’s guarantor.

3. The role of chairperson of the committee is incompatible with the role of supervisor or consultant of the doctoral candidate.

   
   

Article 4: Timeline and conduct of the defense

1. The defence is scheduled in the individual study plan in the summer semester of the candidate’s second year of study. If the defence is not completed in the second year, a corrective attempt is permitted no later than in the summer semester of the third year.

2. The doctoral candidate shall submit, through the Faculty’s Doctoral Studies Department, the first draft of their dissertation at least one month before the defence. The draft must include: an updated structure and content of the dissertation; the theoretical framework; the selected methodology; and the current research status. Detailed requirements concerning the format of the submitted material are specified for each doctoral programme’s syllabus.

3. The candidate may undergo the defence at most twice; that is, one re‑attempt is allowed, which must take place no later than the summer semester of the third year.

4. A protocol of the defence must be drafted and signed by the chairperson of the committee and at least one additional committee member.

5. The protocol of the defence shall record primarily its procedure and result; in cases of negative assessment (“fail”), the justification shall also be recorded.

   
   

Article 5: Deadline for completion of the defense

The doctoral candidate is required to complete the defence no later than the end of the summer semester of the third year of study.

Article 6: Final provisions

1. This directive shall enter into force on the date of signature.

2. This directive shall enter into force on 1 October 2025.

Prague, 1 October 2025

doc. Věra Sokolová, M.A., Ph.D.

Dean