PhD in Political and Social Sciences

Academic Year 2021-2022
Subject area Legal, Politological, Economic and Statistical Sciences
Cycle 37
Coordinator Prof. Daniela Giannetti
Language English
Duration 4 years
Positions 7 positions. More information in the PhD Programme Table.
Application deadline May 21, 2021 at 12:00 PM (Expired)
Enrolment period From Jul 22, 2021 to Aug 02, 2021
Doctoral programme start date Nov 01, 2021
Operating centre
Forlì
Main Department
Department of Political and Social Sciences - SPS
Associated locations (agreements)
Radboud Universiteit, Nijmegen
Mobility abroad
6 months
Curricula
  1. Political Science
  2. International Studies
  3. Sociology
Research topics

 Curriculum 1: Political Science

  • Political Theory
  • Authoritarian Regimes
  • Democratic Regimes
  • Democratic Transitions
  • Electoral Politics
  • Parties and Party Systems
  • Political Participation
  • Political Culture
  • Comparative Political Institutions
  • EU Institutions and Policies
  • Public Policy

 

Curriculum 2:  International Studies

  • International Political Economy
  • International Security
  • Strategic Studies
  • War and Politics
  • Cooperation and Conflict in the International Arena
  • International Organizations
  • Technological Innovation and International Relations
  • Theories of International Relations
  • Africa
  • Americas
  • Asia
  • Eastern Europe
  • Balkans

 

Curriculum 3:  Sociology

  • Sociology
  • Sociology of Culture; - Communication
  • Trust and Social Capital
  • Social Media
  • Digital Society
  • Immigration
  • Crime
  • Religion and Society
  • Sociology of Labour
Job opportunities and potential areas of employment
A Doctoral degree in Political and Social Sciences enables a career as an academic or other careers with high demand for capacity of developing research at the highest level. Such a capacity might also be used to develop autonomous entrepreneurial activities. Potential areas of employment include academic institutions, research institutions, public and private organisations, at the national and international levels.
Admission Board

Surname Name University/Institution Curriculum Role email
Giannetti Daniela Università di Bologna Political Science Member
Loveless Paul Matthew Università di Bologna Political Science Member
Mattoni Alice Università di Bologna Sociology Member
Tornimbeni Corrado Università di Bologna International Studies Member
Valeriani Augusto Università di Bologna Sociology Member
Verbeek Bertjian Università di Njimegen (Netherlands) International Studies Member
Zambernardi Lorenzo Università di Bologna International Studies Member
Alacevich Michele Università di Bologna International Studies Substitute
Baracani Elena Università di Bologna Political Science Substitute
Belardinelli Sergio Università di Bologna Sociology Substitute
Bianchini Stefano Università di Bologna International Studies Substitute
Giorgini Giovanni Università di Bologna Political Science Substitute
Pallotti Arrigo Università di Bologna International Studies Substitute
Rizza Roberto Università di Bologna Sociology Substitute
Learning outcomes
The complexity of contemporary technological, social and geo-political challenges requires the mastering of advanced research tools. The Doctoral programme in Political and Social Sciences is designed to produce rigorously trained social scientists, able to conduct cutting-edge research. The programme combines a common set of courses on the methodology of research along with a training in a specific subfield. The programme has three curricula: Political Science (including Political Theory), International Studies (including Area Studies), and Sociology. Acquiring common methodological skills allows candidates to carry out a research project grounded within a specific discipline but also to experiment innovative cross-curricular paths. For instance, the Doctoral programme aims at integrating the regional expertise typical of Area Studies with the methodological tool-kit of the social sciences.
Activities to be carried out by Doctoral candidates
The Doctoral programme combines an intensive set of courses on the methodology of social research along with an advanced knowledge in one of the subfields corresponding to each curriculum. In the first year candidates will attend a number of methodological courses plus a number of courses in the core disciplines of the PhD programme. Modules are of 20 hours each, with a total number of 360 hours (160 of which already assigned in Phase 1 of the Teaching Plan 2021-2022) taught in the first year: Applied Research Methods (60 hours); Social Science Research Methodology (60 hours); Research Design (40 hours). At the end of the first year, PhD candidates will present and discuss two methodological papers. Other courses are the following: Seminars in Political Science (60 hours); Seminars in International Studies (60 hours); Seminars in Sociology ( 40 hours); Classics in Political and Social Sciences (40 hours). Candidates will also develop their research project to be presented to the Academic Board by the end of the first year and discussed at the annual PhD conference (the first one has been already organized in 2020). In the second year there are further courses in the core disciplines. In the third and in the fourth year candidates will work at their final dissertation and spend time abroad for research purposes. Academic calendar is published on the website of the PhD programme (see the button at the top of this page).
Research training activities compliant with the Doctoral programme's learning outcomes
Research training activities will be carried out through the methodological courses and other parallel activities (seminars, workshops). The Department will provide an interactive environment where PhD candidates will present and discuss their research. PhD candidates are encouraged to actively engage themselves in international research networks, joining international conferences and workshops. They also must spend periods of time doing research in a foreign university.
Internationalization features
Most of the members of the Academic Board have an international background, having taught or done research in foreign Universities. The website of the PhD programme is in English and provides specific information about the admission procedures to foreign applicants. Courses are taught in English. The dissertation is also written in English, although the Academic Board might approve usage of different languages in particular cases. PhD candidates will spend a period of time doing research abroad (minimum six months). A number of cotutelle agreements are being finalised. Candidates are encouraged to present their work at international meetings, and to take part in international research networks. The Doctoral programme has an agreement with the Radboud Universiteit in Njimegen. Other agreements with foreign universities will be developed. Following the University of Bologna regulations, the Department allocates resources to help the funding of international mobility for PhD candidates.
Expected research results and products
The ultimate goal of the PhD programme is the dissertation, which must prove the capacity of conducting methodologically sound and original research. Research results must be publishable in peer reviewed top journals.
Doctoral programme Academic Board
Name Surname University/Institution Qualification
Michele Alacevich Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Elena Baracani Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Sergio Belardinelli Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Stefano Bianchini Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Nicola De Luigi Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Daniela Giannetti Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Giovanni Giorgini Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Paul Matthew Loveless Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Sonia Lucarelli Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Debora Mantovani Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Alice Mattoni Università di Bologna Professore Associato Confermato
Arrigo Pallotti Università di Bologna Professore Associato Confermato
Stefania Profeti Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Lucia Quaglia Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Roberto Rizza Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Michele Sapignoli Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Corrado Tornimbeni Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Augusto Valeriani Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Bertjian Verbeek Università di Njimegen (Netherlands) Professore Ordinario
Lorenzo Zambernardi Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Loris Zanatta Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario

Notices

Final ranking list

Final ranking list