General Information

Doctoral study (Ph.D.) of the study programme Historical Sciences, field of study History with Focus on Czech and Czechoslovak History

Silesian university in Opava

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava

Designation of the study programme

Historical Sciences

Designation of the field of study

History with Focus on Czech and Czechoslovak History

Address of the institution garanteeing the study

Silesian university in Opava

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava

Institute of Historical Sciences

Masarykova trida 343/37

Opava

CZ - 746 01

Telephone number: +420 553 684 479

Fax: +420 553 684 482

Email: zuzana.bergrova (at) fpf.slu.cz

Entrance procedure for the admission to study

Requirements for admission:

·       successfully completed undergraduate study of history (or related discipline) with Master`s degree or its equivalent (Mgr. e.g.)

·       the result of the entrance examination in Czech (Czechoslovak) History

·       evaluation of the capability for the scholarly and research work based on the quality of the Master`s (or equivalent) thesis, or other written thesis of the applicant and the published results of his/ her work.

Contact:

Silesian university in Opava

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava

Department of Science and International relations

Masarykova trida 343/37

Opava

CZ - 746 01

Telephone number: +420 553 684 252

Fax number: +420 553 684 258

E-mail: eva.jakubcova (at) fpf.slu.cz

Detailed information about the study

The graduate study is offered on a full-time as well as part-time (combined) basis.

The standard time-span of the study is three years. Part time students that work during their postgraduate study are generally offered a five-year study programme. Full-time students receive monthly scholarship according to valid regulations.

The focus of the doctoral study is on advanced research and independent creative contributions to the scholarship in Czech and Czechoslovak history, especially in relation to the Silesian history in its international context.

The crucial document for the organization of the study is the individual study programme approved by the Committee for the field of history. The individual study programme organizes the supervisor in cooperation with the student. The doctoral supervisor guides the student scholarly and supervises the fulfilment of the programme. Individual study programmes will respect the needs of the current research, future expected type of the work of the doctoral students with regard to their individual interests. Relatively extensive contacts with Czech as well as foreign research institutions enable to secure expert consultations with researchers from outside the Silesian university. According to the themes and needs of the doctoral students it is possible to secure research fellowships at foreign institutions (e. g. Wrocłav, Opole, Toruń, Marburg, Würzburg).

The formation of postgraduate students will accentuate their independent research activities (individual study, heuristics and the formulation of the Ph.D. thesis).

The study will focus on older and modern Czech history. Theoretical and methodological part of the training will concentrate on the study of historiography, theoretical questions of historical science generally and in separate historical periods especially. Among the priorities will also be the in-depth study of auxiliary historical disciplines, techniques of work with the sources, especially in connection with the relevant specialization. The second part of the preparation will consist of study of Czech history, the research specialization and its general context.

An integral part of the training will also be obligatory study of two foreign languages (German, English, or – with regard to the specialization – Latin, Polish or French). The planned schedule of examinations (requirements and settled dates) will be part of the individual study programme.

Besides the regular duties the postgraduate student can be entrusted with other tasks that are related to his/ her academic training (e.g. participation in pedagogical practice, preparation of exhibitions etc.) and that do not exceed reasonable amount.

The scholarly formation is completed with the State final doctoral examination and the defence of the Ph.D. thesis (its extent depends on the nature of the researched topic; minimally 200 pages). The Ph.D. thesis must bring original scientific contribution that will enrich the previous research in the field. It is assumed that its results will be published.

At the State final doctoral examination the abilities of the student are evaluated by a committee of at least four academics. At least two of them are members of the Committee for the field of history. The Committee for the defence of the Ph.D. thesis has at least six members, three of them are from the Committee for the field of history. As the Committee members and opponents serve the leading experts from other universities, the Czech Academy of Sciences and other Czech and foreign research institutions.