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PHDInterdisciplinary Doctoral School [Social Science] (Political Sciences)

More information

international.pte.hu/study-programs 

Overview

The aim of the doctoral program is to offer a wide variety of topics for the study of the actors, processes, intersections, and complexities of International Politics to those committed minds and talents who wish to foster research in any of the major relevant sub-fields in an interdisciplinary manner. The instructors and thesis supervisors of the program represent an extensive pool of expertise embracing Political Science, International Relations, International Law, Regional/Area Studies, therefore, provide substantial support to students both from methodological and theoretical perspectives. The interdisciplinary character of the program is strongly reinforced by the natural cooperation with other programs of the Doctoral School, including History, Ethnography, and Cultural Anthropology.

The program has been dynamically developing its circle of partnerships and collaborations both nationally and internationally. Doctoral students have the opportunity to join projects, take part in fieldwork, and participate in many exchange programs in different corners of the Globe. The host department also offers a wide range of scientific and intercultural events.

Professors and their research areas of the doctoral program

- Dr. Zoltán Bretter: social philosophy, political philosophy, political culture, history of political thought, public policy

- Dr. Viktor Glied: civil society, history, migration, sustainability

- Prof. Dr. László Kákai: Local Government, local politics, non-profit organisation, civil society, political culture

- Dr. Péter Kacziba: International relations in Southeastern Europe and the Middle East, The network paradigm of International Relations

- Prof. Dr. Ilona Pálné Kovács: local governments, regional policy, public administration, local and regional policy, cohesion policy of the European Union, multi-level governance, development policy

- Dr. Andrea Schmidt: Comparative political science, Central and Eastern Europe, Poland, political systems, international political economy, geoeconomics, geopolitics

- Prof. Dr. István Tarrósy: African politics, Afro-Asian relations, Chinese Africa-policy, Hungary-Africa relations, geopolitics, international mobilities and migrations, global African migrations and diaspora, comparative political cultures

- Dr. Zoltán Vörös: Foreign policy and strategies of PR China, Challenges of PR China, Security Studies – Asia, Geography of Elections

- Dr. Petra Hamerli: Hungarian-Italian Diplomatic, Cultural and Economic Relations and their Regional Influence; Vatican’s Diplomacy, International relations in the 20th and 21st centuries, Italy’s history and political development; Fascism and other right-wing ideologies

The supervisors can be contacted via e-mail from here: politologia.btk.pte.hu/en/munkatars

MORE INFORMATION

If you have any questions about the programme, please contact:
Prof. Dr. István Tarrósy
Head of the program
E-mail: tarrosy.istvan@pte.hu

If you have questions related to the application process or administrative staff, please contact:
Ms. Vanda BŐCZIN-SIRKECI
International coordinator
Phone: +36 72 501 500/24126
E-mail: foreign.humanities@pte.hu

Programme structure

EXAMPLES OF SUBJECTS DURING THE STUDIES

Core courses in the first 4 semesters
• Contemporary Theories of IR
• The Political Economy of Inequalities
• Critical Geopolitics and Globalization
• Comparative Civil Society
• Societies and Regimes in Transition
• Governance in Theory and Practice
• Old Themes, New Challenges in Political Theory
• International Public Policy Studies
• Contemporary International Law
• Cases of Development Policy Across the Globe
• Comparative Security Policy
• Research Design in IR

Each module: 5 credits except for Research Design, which is 15 credits worth.

In the Individual Research and Dissertation Writing phase (between the 2nd and 8th semesters), there are other subjects such as:
• Dissertation Consultations
• Journal Club Debates
• Literature review/Book review
• Paper Presentation at Summer School/Participation at Debate Academy
• Research Project at the department or individual
• Teaching Project/Department Scientific Activity Project at the department
• Contribution to Conference/Outreach Project
• Area Studies Research and Methods

A total of 240 credits needs to be accomplished.

1st semester
Contemporary Theories of IR
The Political Economy of Inequalities
Critical Geopolitics and Globalization
Research Design in IR

2nd semester
Comparative Civil Society
Societies and Regimes in Transition
Governance in Theory and Practice

3rd semester
Old Themes, New Challenges in Political Theory
Contemporary International Law
Cases of Development Policy Across the Globe

4th semester
International Public Policy Studies
Comparative Security Policy
Publication in peer-reviewed journal or edited volume
Book Review

5th semester
Dissertation Consultation
Conference Paper
Paper Presentation at Summer School/Participation at Debate Academy
Contribution to Conference/Outreach Project

6th semester
Dissertation Consultation
Dissertation Chapter
Presentation 1. about the doctoral research

7th Semester
Dissertation Consultation
Publication in peer-reviewed journal (Qx) or edited volume
Presentation 2. about the doctoral research

8th semester
Internal Debate about the dissertation

Apply now! Academic year 2025/26
Application deadline
31 Jan 2025, 14:00:00
Central European Time
Studies commence
1 Sept 2025
Apply now! Academic year 2025/26
Application deadline
31 Jan 2025, 14:00:00
Central European Time
Studies commence
1 Sept 2025
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