PÁZMÁNY PÉTER CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DOCTORAL SCHOOL OF POLITICAL THEORY
STUDY PROGRAMME
2012
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BASIC DATA
Name of Doctoral School: Doctoral School of Political Theory
Research Area: Social Sciences, Humanities
Research Fields: Political Science, Philosophy
Type of Degree Issued: PhD
Course Duration: 6 semesters
Course Types: Full-time / Part-time
Funding: state-funded (full-time) and fee-paying (part-time)
Application Requirements: high-order MA degree and passed entrance exam
Language Requirements: level B2 language diploma in English or state-recognized
equivalent
Number of Credits Required for Absolutorium: 180
Modules of the Doctoral Programme:
- Training Module: 90 credits
- Research Module: 54 credits
- Publication Module: 36 credits
Doctoral School Programmes: Political Theory, Political Philosophy
Faculty Responsible for the Programmes: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Programme Leader: Dr. Ferenc Hörcher DSC, Professor
Core Members:
Professors: Ferenc Hörcher, László Füstös, Gábor Gángó, Balázs Mezei, Mária Schmidt
Associate professors: Máté Botos, Zoltán Hidas, János Jany, Dániel Schmal
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MAIN RESEARCH AREAS OF THE DOCTORAL SCHOOL
Political philosophy: The revival of political philosophy in the West was marked by John
Rawls’ classic work, while its renewal in Hungary was made possible during the years of the
regime change. In the pluralistic environment of today’s Hungarian political philosophical
education, the specific character of the new doctoral school is its research focus on twentieth
century and contemporary conservatism, the social and political application of the Christian
tradition, and a critical reading of the ideological foundations of totalitarian systems. These
topics are also interconnected, providing political philosophical guarantees for the defence of
parliamentary democracies under the Christian-conservative perspective of today’s Western
political culture, in face of both extremist, totalitarian ideologies and deconstructive, postmodern ideas which only amount to a sheer questioning of values. At the same time, it is open
to dialogue with other relevant Western European philosophical traditions, such as liberal,
social democratic, and patriotic-national political philosophies.
History of political ideas: One of the most important lessons of twentieth century scholarship
has been that the historical investigation of political thought cannot be restricted to the works
of great philosophers, but needs to embrace a general survey of political discourses, the
reconstruction and conceptual analysis of political vocabularies, the rhetoric and pragmatic
interpretation of debates, the exploration of interconnections between the conceptual level and
political practice, and the analysis of political argument as political action. In this respect, the
school aims at reconstructing the political thought of different epochs (antiquity, middle ages,
modernity and post-modernity), devoting special attention to the interdependence of political
thinking and political culture, using an interdisciplinary approach (covering the connections
between the history of ideas and politics, philosophy, cultural and social history, as well as
contemporary achievements in linguistic theory).
Political and social theory: Important aspects of this area, besides international politics,
include analyses of - and engagement in - new theoretical discourses. Such discourses include
those on value research, the problems of secularization, the phenomenology of new
religiosity, retraditionalization (including re-Islamization), the relationship between religion
and politics, modern political theologies (including the theological re-interpretation of modern
Islam and the revival of sects and traditional structures in, for example, India and Islam), new
theories of civilization, social conflict, post-modern movements and the rethinking and critical
examination of the western theories underlying the current world system. Other work focuses
on questions of identity and nationalism, post-colonial approaches, and research into other
methodologies and theories related to international relations.
The doctoral research topics of the school are related to the above areas of research and
include:
-
political philosophy and political thinking
history of political ideas in certain ages and civilizations
international political theory
modern political ideologies
totalitarianism and democracy research
human rights and constitutionalism
social theories and ethics
value research
memory and identity
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STRUCTURE OF THE DOCTORAL PROGRAMME
Since the basic aim of any doctoral school is to prepare students and set them on course for a
career in academia, the doctoral program is geared in its entirety towards achieving this goal
in terms of both content and structure. The primary objective of the doctoral school is to
facilitate research work and doctoral theses through a network of institutional support.
Consequently, the coordination and organization of the programme focuses on research: the
overall structure of modules serves to promote research. In addition to the taught doctoral
modules, research seminars, research forums and individual consultations also play a
pronounced role.
Based on this approach, the structure of doctoral education is built around the following three
units and modules, which include proportional numbers of credits. Completion of the
programme results in a total of 180 credits. A certificate (“absolutorium”) is issued on
completion of all the doctoral training requirements.
The distribution of individual modules is as follows:
1) training module: 90 credits
2) research module: 54 credits
3) publication module: 36 credits
The training module embodies the doctoral programme's schooling system, as students
participate in lectures and seminars to the value of 90 credits. For further details see the
“Programme Structure” heading below.
The teaching method does not follow the usual style of lecturing employed at BA and MA
level, as seminars are more interactive and based on student work. This provides opportunities
for students to discuss and develop their own work, and enter into debates on topics of
academic significance.
The training module is thus based on contact hours with instructors, and students are awarded
credits based on classroom participation, study and exam performance. The evaluation of
performance is based on the provisions found in the Faculty's Doctoral Degree Regulations,
and work is graded on the basis of a three-grade scale. Individual preparation time also counts
towards the number of credits awarded. The number of credits for each individual training
module is uniform (5), and verified by the course leader.
The research module is built around the independent research activities of students, and
deals primarily with the topics covered by each doctoral dissertation. Research work begins
simultaneously alongside the taught courses of the training module. However, the
programme's structure is designed using a bottom-up strategy to gradually reduce the number
of contact hours within the training module: the majority of taught doctoral courses and
contact hours are taken in the first two semesters, and from then on the number of contact
hours decreases steadily until there are no more in the last two semesters. This enables
students to spend more time on writing their thesis. In terms of overall structure, the research
module consists of two basic units: research seminars and research forums.
Within the framework of research seminars, students receive additional methodological and
professional assistance (covering activities such as academic writing, for example). This is
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partly to help them write articles independently for publication, and partly to help them with
writing their thesis. The research seminars are thus based on independent work carried out
under the supervision of a consultant, and are compulsory each semester The credit value of
each research seminar is 4 credits per semester up to a total of 24 credits. The credits are
verified by the course supervisor.
In the first two semesters, students discuss the problem areas of relevant topics and survey the
national and international literature under the guidance of their supervisor. Students first
present the results of research conducted in the seminars at a research forum held at the end of
the second semester. Following the approval of this research, students prepare a detailed
research plan by the end of the third semester, which they must also present and defend at the
research forum. After the successful completion of a detailed research plan, students begin
work on their thesis, and report back on further results at subsequent research forums.
Each semester (except for the first semester) the students participate in research forums in
which they introduce new problems and the literature they have reviewed. They also describe
the methods they use, report on partial results, and respond to questions. The research forum
takes place before the doctoral school's board members at the end of each semester, but once a
year this committee is expanded to include the members of the International Advisory Board
and other experts from domestic and foreign universities. This is to promote the international
acceptance of each thesis with the aid of the research forum. The research supervisor must be
invited to each of the research forums. Each research forum is awarded 6 credits to the
maximum value of 30 credits. The credits are verified by the head of the doctoral school.
The publishing module rewards students' publication activities, and credits are only awarded
for supplementary studies, active participation in conferences, and independently written
publications up to a total of 36 credit points.
The head of the doctoral school decides on the approval of publications and the awarding of
credits after consulting with the doctoral supervisor and core members of the school.
Publication Type
Book
Book
Book excerpt
Book excerpt
Book editing
Book editing
Conference lecture
Conference lecture
Journals included in ERIH
(categories A-B) and/or SSCI
Other foreign academic
journal
HAS academic journal
HAS academic journal
Other domestic academic
journals
Language of Publication
Foreign language
Hungarian
Foreign language
Hungarian
Foreign language
Hungarian
Foreign language
Hungarian
Foreign language
Credits Awarded
18-36
12-18
12-18
9-12
9-12
6-9
9-12
6-9
18
Foreign language
9-12
Foreign language
Hungarian
Hungarian
9-12
6-9
6-9
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PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The programme structure has been designed to demonstrate both the unity of the doctoral
school and the differences between the disciplines, separating for the latter purpose study
activities into two branches. Further specialization and student choice is provided by elective
units which may be chosen freely through either branch of specialization.
PROGRAMME PLAN AND COURSE CREDITS
Courses Compulsory To Both Disciplinary Branches (40 Credits)
Course Title
Course Leader
Basic module
Political Thinking
Ferenc Hörcher
Methodology
Dóra Győrffy
Value and Politics
László Füstös
Christian Political
Balázs Mezei
Thought
Political theory module
Hungarian Political
Gábor Gángó
Thought
Sociological Theories Zoltán Hidas
of Politics
Contemporary
Ferenc Hörcher
Conservatism and
Liberalism
Theories of
Mária Schmidt
Totalitarianism
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2
3
4
5
6
3
5
5
5
4
5
6
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Political Philosophy - Core Units (30): reading seminars
Course Title
Social Philosophy
Ethics
Utopias
History of Ideas:
Antiquity
History of Ideas:
Middle Ages
History of Ideas:
Modernity
Course Leader
Dániel Schmal
Ákos Cseke
Péter Benedek
Tóta
Péter Lautner
1
2
5
Kornél Szovák
5
Sándor Őze
5
6
Political Theory - Core Units (30): reading seminars
Course Title
Theories of
Democracy:
Comparative Analysis
Theories of
Development
Theories of
Nationalism
Human Rights and
Global Ethics
Religion and Politics
Identity, Politics
Course Leader
Kálmán Pócza
1
2
3
5
Tamás Szigetvári;
Erik Jones
Zoltán Kántor
4
5
6
5
5
Ágnes Környei;
Leonce Bekemans
Tamás Nyirkos
Zsuzsa Bögre
5
5
5
Elective Units (reading seminar): completion of 4 units compulsory (20 credits), may be
chosen freely by students from each branch.
Course Title
Theories of
Civilization
Theories of European
Integration
The Idea and Practice
of Democracy in the
USA
Islamic Political
Theories
Eastern Political
Theories
Russian Foreign
Policy Thinking
Methods of Social
Research
Cultural Memory
Political Sociology
Course Leader
Máté Botos
1
2
3
4
5
5
László Zsinka
5
Károly Pintér
5
János Jany
5
6
Veronika Gáthy
5
András Rácz
5
László Füstös
5
András Keszei
Zsombor Bódy
5
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EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS OF THE DOCTORAL SCHOOL
The external partnerships of the doctoral school rest on four “pillars”. The first pillar is the
Academic Advisory Board, which is composed of internationally recognized researchers and
leading academics, and operates besides the Doctoral School Committee. The Advisory Board
was established with a view to strengthening the doctoral school's international ties and
reputation, and helping board members to become involved in the work at the doctoral school.
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The Advisory Board members may be invited to work at the school as visiting lecturers,
supervisors and examiners. Board members are entitled to vote once a year when participating
in research forums as part of the committee which is established to assess the ongoing work of
students and their research plans. In addition to these roles, board members contribute input
towards the doctoral school's comprehensive exam. Members of the Advisory Board are: Eric
Jones (Johns Hopkins University), Leonce Bekemans (Padua), Rudolf Rezsőházi (Leuwen),
Roger Scruton (United Kingdom), Ryszard Legutko (Cracow).
APPLYING FOR DOCTORAL PROGRAMMES
Applicants can gain admission to doctoral programmes through the official application
procedure. Applications are judged by the Faculty Doctoral Board according to results
obtained during the recruitment process and the recommendation of the admissions
committee.
Candidates applying for state-funded and fee-paying places are subject to the same criteria
during the admissions process.
The requirements for admission to the doctoral programmes are as follows:
a) university degree (with the grade of "good" or "cum laude" and a completed final
examination/state exam in Hungary);
b) level B2 language diploma in a foreign language relevant to the research area (or staterecognized equivalent);
c) adequate level of professional competence within the chosen field of research;
d) score of at least 50 points obtained during the application process;
e) proven academic achievements (competition results, publications) are an advantage.
Degree qualifications obtained abroad must be accredited before the application procedure
begins in accordance with applicable regulations. Students who have not yet sat their
finals/state exams must attach a current transcript copy to their application. Admission in this
case is conditional, and final degrees with a rating lower than "good" or "cum laude"
invalidate conditionally awarded places. If applicants fail to provide evidence of university
degree and language qualifications by the last working day of the week following the
registration period then his/her application is automatically rejected.
The annual deadline for applications is May 15. The designated application forms and
relevant documentation must be submitted to the Office for Doctoral Programmes and
Habilitation. These include:
a) completed application form (2 copies);
b) photocopied degree certificate (2 copies);
c) photocopied language certificate - in some cases a degree qualification in a foreign
language may suffice (2 copies);
d) CV detailing academic achievements and professional accomplishments (2 copies);
e) publication list (if applicable) (2 copies);
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f) police clearance certificate - foreign nationals must provide an equivalent certificate of
good conduct (applicants working in positions requiring police clearance certificates
may attach a workplace certificate of good conduct);
g) proof of payment of application processing fee;
h) two self-addressed and stamped, mid-sized envelopes;
i) a letter of recommendation from a recognized authority in the relevant professional
field (2 copies);
j) research proposal (2 copies).
Applicants must sit an oral entrance examination which the Admissions Committee evaluates
by taking into account the applicant's academic competence, vision for doctoral research,
previous academic achievements, language skills, and overall level of proficiency. The
applicants are ranked using a uniform scoring system according to the following evaluation
criteria:
a)
b)
c)
d)
degree with summa cum laude rating: 5 points;
research proposal (4-5 pages, with references): max. 5 points;
entrance exam results: max. 60 points;
proof of academic achievement (student thesis award, publication, unpublished study
manuscript): max. 20 points;
e) additional language skills (not including language required for application): max. 10
points.
Additional points are awarded to a maximum of no more than 10 points for the following:
a) 3 points are awarded for each C level complex language qualification or staterecognized equivalent that is additional to application requirements;
b) 5 points are awarded for each C level complex language qualification or staterecognized equivalent that is additional to application requirements;
c) 3 points are awarded for each completed C level complex language qualification or
state-recognized equivalent that is required to meet application requirements.
The Admissions Committee evaluates applicants on the basis of their performance and ranks
them according to their scores as "strongly recommended", "recommended", or "not
recommended" before forwarding their recommendations to the Doctoral Board of the Faculty
of Humanities.
Applicants are notified of the Board's decision within eight days. The conditions of enrolment
are stated in an admissions statement, and applicants who have won admission are informed
of the location, date and other conditions required for enrolment.
Appeals against the Board's final decision may be made if the decision violates the law or
university regulations. Appeals must be submitted to the Office for Doctoral Programmes and
Habilitation and addressed to the rector of Pázmány Péter Catholic University within eight
working days of receipt of the Board's final notification. The appeal will be considered by the
rector and adjudicated within fifteen days of receipt of the appeal. No further appeals are
considered following the rector's decision. It is customary for the Doctoral School to
announce the names of applicants who have gained admission, along with the results of the
admissions process.
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