Curriculum
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 2020, submitting the exposé by February 28, 2021.)
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.
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.