50業子

The Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative History at CEU is a specialized education track focused on the comparison, interconnectedness and entanglements of four distinct geocultural regions: Central, Southeastern, and Eastern Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean, in close relation to the history of other historical regions, most notably with Western Europe and the Middle East and beyond.  

This PhD program embraces the comparative approach to advanced historical studies and goes beyond the standard ways of comparative historical inquiry, which traditionally focuses on regional and national dimensions. At CEU, you will acknowledge the geocultural aspects of the European historical experience and embark on a deep exploration of Central, Southeastern, and Eastern Europe, as well as the Eastern Mediterranean, in the context of symbolic, physical and human geographies. You will examine the place of these representations in regional, international and transnational histories, critically analyzing historical evidence from the insider and outsider perspectives.  

You will explore the conceptual and practical methods of comparative historical studies through in-depth mandatory and elective courses to build expertise in formulating, designing, leading and presenting independent historical research projects at the doctoral level. You will approach the studies from an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing from international relations, anthropology, gender studies, religious studies, visual studies, art history, digital humanities and sociology to examine complex relationships among geocultural regions through history. 

How the PhD in Comparative History Program Works:

During the first year of the Comparative History doctoral program, you will focus on coursework that prepares you for the comprehensive exam, which focuses on major topics in the comparative history of two of the four regions. However, you may choose to work outside a regional framework. As part of your comprehensive exam, you will also discuss your research dissertation proposal.  

You will follow a structured curriculum with specialized courses in theory, methodology and historiography to strengthen your historical research skills. You will build upon your foundational knowledge with in-depth elective courses that delve into specific topics on the historical studies agenda, such as social science research, patterns of exclusion, peace and conflict studies and gender studies. You may also choose from a wide selection of source language elective courses, including Ancient Greek, Ottoman Turkish or Latin.  

You will submit your research dissertation proposal at the end of the fall term, including an essay explaining the main themes of the exam and the first draft of the examination bibliography. At the end of the winter term, you will submit your dissertation proposal to the director of the doctoral program and your supervisors. Students typically take their comprehensive exam at the end of the spring term. However, students who need more time to prepare their proposal may postpone their comprehensive exam to the beginning of the second year.  

Programme Details: 

Completing all requirements in the first year will formally admit the student to PhD candidacy in Comparative History at CEU.  

All PhD candidates and students are expected to participate actively in the Doctoral Research Seminars, which take place in the first, second and third year, where students present their dissertation design and other research-based material for feedback. During the academic year, CEU and the Doctoral School of Political Science, Public Policy and International Relations provide trainings and workshops. Students can choose and participate in sessions designed to support their academic skills, their career development and their personal well-being.

In the second year, you will focus on research, choosing from several options for carrying out your research methods depending on the subject of your study. You may spend the entire year collecting data, undertaking intensive fieldwork, survey research and/or working in archives and libraries. You will be encouraged to pursue empirical, archival or field-based research and will, therefore, be granted an exemption from the principal residency requirement in Vienna. You can apply for a field research grant in your second year before the research period starts. As part of your doctoral program, you will be expected to earn credits by engaging in professional development activities, which include:

• pursuing additional coursework to expand the empirical foundations of your research;  
• organizing reading colloquia in groups under the guidance of faculty members dedicated to the discussion of recent scholarship in a designated field;
• conference presentations;  
• academic internships, professional development courses and publications;  
• participation in research projects, and  
• participation in academic events or project management.

In the third year, you will return to CEU after completing your data collection activities and research and focus on writing your PhD dissertation in close consultation with your supervisors. As a PhD student, you will be required to serve as a teaching assistant in a master's level course to acquire teaching experience as part of the mandatory teaching assistantship. This involves regular participation, independent teaching of at least one course unit in agreement with the professor or leading discussion groups within the course.

In the fourth year, you will continue writing your PhD dissertation in residence at CEU. You will register for the dissertation submission and defense even if you submit and defend later.