History of the Department of Romance Languages and World Literature

History of the Department

The Department of Romance Languages and World Literature combines educational and scientific traditions of two departments (Department of French and Department of World Literature and Classical Philology), which after the relocation of Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University to Vinnytsia joined forces to preserve the high qualifications of future specialists. Each of these departments has a long history and significant success in the pedagogical field, as well as outstanding scientific achievements.

The Department of French language has existed since 1966 (since 1996 – the Department of Romance Languages, and since 2004 – the Department of Romance Philology). Since then, this department has become the leader of Donetsk region by preparing highly qualified French language specialists and initiated the creation of a French language center in Donetsk National University. The main purpose of which was to promote French language and culture into the region, to organize educational seminars and various cultural events for teachers and students. After passing a special exam in French, students got a diploma in accordance with the standards of diplomas in France. From 2002 to 2014 French was being taught as first foreign language, Spanish and Italian as second and third respectfully. As a result, the department was renamed to the Department of Roman Philology.

The Department of World Literature and Classical Philology (1997-2014) of Donetsk National University has a very rich history, that begins in 1937 with the foundation of the Stalin Pedagogical Institute (at that time it was the Department of Russian and Foreign Historical Literature. Faculty of Philology). The department has always been provided with highly qualified teachers. Honored doctor of Vasyl Stus DonNU, Doctor of Philology, Professor Mykhailo Hryhorovych Seniv was the head of the department for 17 years.  The department had a doctorate, specialty 10.02.17 – Comparative-historical and Typological Linguistics, full-time and part-time postgraduate studies in the following specialties: 10.01.04 – Literature of Foreign countries, 10.02.17 – Comparative-historical and Typological Linguistics; 10.02.15 – General Linguistics. After the relocation of Donetsk National University to Vinnytsia, M.G. Seniv continued to work as the Head of the united Department of Romance Languages and World Literature until 2018.

In 2018 Kompanetsʹ T. M., Ph.D. Assoc. Prof. was elected as the Acting Head of the Department.

Since 2019 Ihnatenko D. Ye., Ph.D., Senior Lecturer, has become the Acting Head of the Department.