Curriculum of the three-year doctoral program
Doctoral candidates go through the curriculum of the doctoral program Ancient Philosophy and History of Ancient Science. This is one of the structured programs within the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) and offers two distinct pathways, each of them with a specific research focus and curriculum: Ancient Philosophy focuses on philosophical topics, but includes the ancient sciences; History of Ancient Science focuses on the history of ancient scientific disciplines, but also takes account of their philosophical aspects.
The program centers on completing a doctoral dissertation (in English or German) within three years. It includes colloquia, research seminars, reading groups, international workshops, and intensive short courses. The language of instruction is (predominantly) English. Every candidate is supervised by a team of academic instructors. The program is strongly international. Most students will spend some time at a university abroad.
The standard study period is six semesters encompassing 180 credits. The doctoral thesis counts as 150 credit points, 30 credit points are earned by attending colloquia, research seminars, reading groups, workshops and conferences, as well as transferable skills courses.
Here are sample curricula for both, the Ancient Philosophy and the History of Ancient Science pathways. These curricula allow for the flexibility for each student to arrange their work plan in such a way as to fit their particular research interests and individual needs.
Supervision
Each student has at least two professors as supervisors, one of them may also be not a member of the Research Training Group’s faculty. The student, the team of supervisors, and the Research Training Group’s academic director reach a written agreement about how supervision and training of the student will proceed. This written agreement includes a workplan, and, if applicable, additional tasks and qualification measures that have been agreed upon between supervisor and student.
Curriculum of the pre-doctoral year
The pre-doctoral year is designed for students to qualify for a doctoral position. During the pre-doctoral year, students attend the same colloquia and courses that are offered to the doctoral candidates, plus additional courses according to their needs (e.g. language training). Please note that the pre-doctoral year does not lead to an M.A. degree.
Supervisor and student make an individual agreement on the number and type of qualification measures to be attended, in accordance with the university requirements for fast-track doctoral studies.
By the end of their first semester (usually end of February in the subsequent year after starting their studies), pre-doctoral students submit a revised outline of their dissertation project. (Example: starting 1 October 2019, submitting the exposé by February 28, 2020.)
The RTG’s Admissions Committee assesses the student’s progress. Students who pass the assessment (as is normally the case) will be admitted to the three-year doctoral program.
The Research Training Group Philosophy, Science and the Sciences (RTG 1939) will shortly offer several
- salaried positions for doctoral candidates
- stipends for pre-doctoral studies
to candidates working on a research project within the RTG 1939 on the dialogue between different forms and models of knowledge in ancient Greek, Roman and Arabic thought (including its medieval and early modern reception). Topics involve both philosophy and some special science or other (including mathematics, medicine, and other disciplines that we might not today consider special sciences, such as grammar or divination).
Salaried doctoral positions (T-VL Berlin E13 at 65%) will be funded for three years, starting on 1 October 2019.
Stipends for pre-doctoral studies have guaranteed funding for one year, starting on 1 October 2019. Pre-doc students making good progress toward the doctorate will receive a further three years of funding, leading to the completed doctorate.
Additional funding is available for conference travels, research stays abroad and other qualification measures, such as language training.The application deadline will be announced shortly.
Funding from the Graduate School Scholarship Program (GSSP) of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
The Graduate School Scholarship Program (GSSP) of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers two doctoral scholarships per year to research and complete a doctorate in the Ancient Philosophy and History of Ancient Science program of the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS). The scholarship will be granted for three years. The application round for the DAAD scholarships has been closed on 1 December 2018. The next application round will start in the fall of 2019 (for candidates starting in October 2020).
Application for a doctoral position
For your application, please submit the following material:
- Competed application form
- Cover letter in which you explain your motivation for joining the RTG
- Curriculum vitae (CV, resume)
- Research proposal, including select bibliography (max. 5 pages)
- Work plan and schedule for three years
- Writing sample (15-20 pages)
- Copies of university degrees and transcripts (if not in English or German please provide an English translation)
- Copies of other certificates (if applicable)
- Two letters of recommendation