Political Science
Study Objectives
The Doctoral Degree study programme of Political Science aims to prepare its graduates to become highly specialised experts in the area of politics and political processes research. The structure of the study programme considers the basic political science paradigms, methods and sub-disciplines, while it predominantly focuses on the study of politics in Central and Eastern Central Europe. The study also highlights trans-disciplinary approaches, in particular with regard to the interaction between political science and communication studies, modern and contemporary history, political sociology and political anthropology. The offer of Doctoral theses topics and the composition of the Doctoral Board, the team of pedagogical staff and supervisors are also adapted to such a profile. The study is integrated into a broader portfolio of pedagogical and research activities of the guaranteeing workplace – the Department of Political Science and Anglophone Studies – which has been developing research cooperation with Central European political science workplaces on a long-term basis. The language of instruction is English.
THE STUDY PROGRAMME IS DIVIDED INTO SECTIONS
The study plan of the Doctoral study programme in the first year of study emphasises the expansion and deepening of knowledge of theories and methods of research in political science. In the second year of study, students further expand and deepen their knowledge of theories, research methods and current topics in key subfields, i.e. general studies of Central Europe or applied political science, according to the topic of the Doctoral thesis. This knowledge is subsequently verified by the State Doctoral Examination. In the last year of study, students focus fully on writing and subsequent defence of the Doctoral thesis.
Section I - Compulsory Courses
- Theory and Methodology in Political Science
- Political Anthropology
- Doctoral seminar: Teaching, Research, Projects, Publications
- Doctoral Thesis 1–6 (Doctoral thesis consultation with supervisor)
Section II – Free Choice Courses (student chooses three courses from the offer)
- Theory and Practice of Central European Politics
- Geopolitical and Geocultural Concepts of Central Europe
- Political Communication and Political Marketing
- Cabinets, Coalitions and Coalition Governance in Theory and Practice
- Contemporary Study of Political Parties
- Selected Issues in Comparative Political Economy
Field of Study: Political Sciences
Standard length of study: 3 years
Language instruction: English
Place of instruction: Prague
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Erasmus+ study stays and traineeships
Graduate Career Options
- public and private research institutions
- academic positions at universities
- international organisations
- political institutions
- media
- public administration
- non-governmental organisations
Doctoral board
prof. PhDr. Ladislav Cabada, Ph.D. (Chair)
doc. PhDr. Miloš Brunclík, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Ivo Budil, Ph.D., DSc.
prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, Ph.D.
doc. PhDr. Hana Horáková, Ph.D.
prof. PhDr. Jan Jirák, Ph.D.
PhDr. Petr Just, Ph.D.
prof. PhDr. Michal Klíma, M.A., CSc.
PhDr. Zdenka Mansfeldová, CSc.
prof. Dr. Miroslav Novák
doc. Mgr. Pavel Šaradín, Ph.D.
doc. PhDr. Šárka Cabadová Waisová, Ph.D.
An application to study Doctoral study programme may be submitted by an applicant who has duly completed his Master's degree programme, and in the case of foreign students a programme analogous while complying with the nostrification requirement (unless otherwise regulated by a bilateral intergovernmental agreement). The study is open to all graduates of Master's degree programmes within the study programme of Political Science, or study programmes with a similar social science or humanities focus, provided that they meet the requirements of the admission procedure and demonstrate adequate professional knowledge and prerequisites for scientific work.
The applicant has the opportunity to apply for a Research, Development and Innovation Bursary within the IGS projects and obtain a monthly bursary of CZK 15,000. The application for the bursary may be submitted along with the application to study.
Attachments to the application to study
- Structured CV of the applicant including information on current or previous Doctoral degree study at MUP or another university and whether the study was duly completed.
- Research project of the Doctoral Thesis, including:
a) a clearly defined thesis topic;
b) current state of research on the topic;
c) proposal of the project research methods;
d) preliminary proposal of the thesis structure;
e) definition of theoretical frame of the project and its explanation;
f) approximate time schedule of work on the project. - List of studied literature focused at the field of the applicant’s professional interest.
- List of applicant’s up-to-date professional activities (if the applicant carried out such activities), especially publishing and participation in research projects, scientific conferences, etc.
Please upload the above attachments to the application, if you have any questions or problems, please contact: phd@mup.cz.
For more information on the application deadline and further details, please refer to the Admission Procedure.
THE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION CONSISTS OF:
- Interview about documents submitted by the applicant to MUP together with the application to study; and evaluation of the applicant’s knowledge of theoretical aspects of the proposed project, professional interest and overall preparedness and potential of the applicant for independent scientific work. The interview is held in English;
- an examination in English which consists of an interview conducted in the English language about the applicant’s relation to the area of study and the Doctoral Thesis topic; reading of a specialised text in English and its oral interpretation, and – as the case may be – of supplementary questions regarding English grammar. Applicants who completed a Master’s degree study programme in English are exempted from the English language examination.
On the grounds of recommendation from the Entrance Examination Committee, the MUP Rector decides on the admission to study. Only applicants for whom there are enough supervisors in the relevant study programme can be admitted. In the case an applicant is not admitted due to lack of supervisors, the applicant can re-apply in the following academic year and submit an application for recognition of a successful entrance examination alongside the application for study. The examination shall be recognised.
