Interdisciplinary doctoral programme in THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

 

This prospectus is published in agreement with the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Theology, the Academy of Music, the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television, Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Faculty of Social Work at the University of Ljubljana.

1.    The  programme

The duration of the interdisciplinary doctoral programme in the Humanities and Social Sciences at the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, is 4 years (240 ECTS credits) and represents the third level of the Bologna cycle. The programme is in accordance with the requirements and legislation of the Republic of Slovenia and meets all the criteria for doctoral studies established by the European University Association. This enables the direct inclusion of programme components in international exchanges with universities from other countries using the ECTS system.

The programme consists of organised classes (60 credits) and individual research work for the doctoral thesis (1800 credits).

2.    Basic programme goals and general competences

The main purpose of the programmes is to provide doctoral students with fundamental knowledge from their research disciplines in different fields of the humanities and social sciences, while developing the competences required for independent research and the application of knowledge at an internationally comparable level.

Through the study programme, which combines theoretical and practical elements from the chosen research disciplines and incorporates various contemporary didactic approaches, individual and team methods of acquisition, and the utilisation and application of knowledge, students will develop the following competences:

Analytical abilities. The independent realisation of highly demanding analytical tasks; analysis of social phenomena; advising on various trends in social life, development and management; synthesis of field-specific knowledge and its application in the problem-solving process; synthesis and contextualisation of analytical findings. Application of methodological tools. Autonomous implementation, coordination, management and organisation of research; utilisation and further development of various research methods and techniques; independence and personal initiative in research. Knowledge of the environment of the selected discipline or field. A broad, critical and reflective understanding of the selected field, structures and operations; knowledge of (legal) standards, institutions and development dynamics. Strategic focus on the selected field. Sound skills for planning, assessing and anticipating events; separating key information from the trivial and searching for durable solutions to fundamental issues. Communication. Capable of adequately communicating research accomplishments; well-developed writing skills, public presentation and argumentation skills; skills associated with oral expression; clear and active presentation with argumentation. Team and group work abilities. To lead a team and/or a group; to be ready to cooperate, work in groups, recognise other people's opinions and perform one's duties and defined roles within the group/team. Expertise. Analysing, defining sequences, coordinating tasks and selecting working methods and forms congruent with academic and professional standards. Conflict resolution. Controlling, managing and mediation conflict; ability of negotiation, argumentation and starting points for negotiation. Flexible approach to change. Flexible functioning in all social environments, in different cultural contexts; flexible cooperation with other countries, inter-disciplinarity; understanding of cultural plurality. Networking. An ability to make connections within and outside an organisation, managing formal and informal relations. Ethics and values. Well-developed scientific and research ethics and humanistic values when functioning in any working environment. Wide humanistic and social horizon. An ability to perform quality interdisciplinary research work.

3.      Admission requirements and criteria for selection

Admission requirements

The doctoral programme in the Humanities and Social Sciences is in accordance with the final paragraph of Article 38a and Article 16 of the transitional and final provision of the Higher Educational Act open for the enrolment of graduates from:

  • 2nd level study programmes.
  • Existing study programmes leading to university a degree.
  • Existing study programmes leading to a specialisation, following a previously completed higher education study programme; upon the proposal of a field coordinator responsible for the doctoral programme, a competent body of a member faculty determines study obligations worth 30 to 60 ECTS needed for enrolment in the third level doctoral programme.
  • Existing study programmes leading to a masters degree or a specialisation following the completion of a first degree; upon the proposal of a field coordinator responsible for the doctoral programme, a competent body of a member faculty acknowledges study obligations to the value of at least 60 ECTS, thus enabling enrolment in a third level doctoral programme.

Students who finished equivalent education abroad meet the conditions for enrolment in doctoral study. Equivalence of formerly obtained education abroad is ascertained through the process of verification of foreign education, in compliance with Article 121 of the Statute of the University of Ljubljana.

Before registration it is necessary to get the supervisor's agreement.

Criteria for selection of students

Criteria for applicants' selection in the case of enrolment restrictions:

  • Success (grade-point average) in the following (50%):
  • 2nd level study programmes
  • Existing study programmes leading to university degrees
  • Existing study programmes leading to a specialisation, following a previously completed first degree
  • Existing study programmes leading to a masters degree or specialisation after the completion of a university degree.
  • result of the exam in the chosen field of study (50%)

Upon the approval of the coordinator, an appropriate faculty member responsible for the doctoral study decides the applicant's suitability.

4.      Criteria for recognition of knowledge and skills acquired before admission to the programme

Students enrolling in 3rd level study programmes that require special knowledge will be able to gain recognition for skills, knowledge and qualifications acquired prior to enrolment through formal, informal or empirical education. The following will be recognised as adequate: certificates and other documents or proofs attesting the student's completion of courses, summer schools and other forms of education; published articles and other authored work; awards and prizes won in relevant fields and certificates of relevant work experience. Applications for recognition of previously gained knowledge and skills will be dealt with and assessed on an individual basis by the programme council or field coordinator.

5.      Conditions for progression in the programme 

The completion of 40 ECTS in organised forms of study, and the registration and public presentation of the doctoral thesis topic are required for progression to the 2nd year of study.

The completion of 10 ECTS in organised forms of study and a positive assessment of the suitability of the topic of doctoral dissertation by the Committee to monitor the doctoral student confirmed by the Senate of the Member are required for enrolment in the 3rd year of study.

Condition for progression into the 4th year is the topic of the doctoral dissertation confirmed by the Senate of the UL.

The fourth year is devoted to individual research work and preparation of the doctoral thesis

 

CONDITIONS FOR PROGRESSION IN THE PROGRAMME

 

 

YEAR I

40 ECTS – ORGANISED FORMS OF STUDY

 

 

YEAR II

 

 

YEAR II

10 ECTS – ORGANISED FORMS OF STUDY

+

THE POSITIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE SUITABILITY OF THE TOPIC OF DOCTORAL DISSERTATION BY THE COMMITTEE TO MONITOR THE DOCTORAL STUDENT CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE OF THE MEMBER

 

YEAR III

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR III

THE TOPIC OF THE DOCTORAL DISSERTATION CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE OF THE UL.

 

YEAR IV

 

 

YEAR IV

ALL OBLIGATIONS (ORGANISED FORMS OF STUDY) COMPLETED (50 ECTS)

+

ORIGINAL SCIIENTIFIC PAPER

+

PRESENTATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE RESEARCH WORK BEFORE THE DEFENCE OF THE DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

+

PUBLIC DEFENCE OF THE DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

 

PROGRAMME CONCLUSION


Students who have already completed a master’s degree (adopted prior to June 11, 2004) and who upon registration, in line with the Higher Education Act, are credited with 60 ECTS may, in line with the Criteria for Transfer between Study Programmes, enrol directly in the second year, if all the obligations of the first year of study have been recognised.

6.      Conditions for completing the programme

To complete the programme and be awarded the academic title Doctor of Philosophy, the student has to fulfil all requirements prescribed by the programme and successfully publicly defend his/her doctoral thesis. Before the thesis defence, the student has to publish at least one academic article from the field of his/her thesis in a publication that the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Sciences recognise as adequate. The doctoral student has to be the first author of the article. The article has to be published or at least accepted for publication before the thesis defence.

7.      Transfer between study programmes

Transfer between programmes may be considered upon the termination of the student's education in the first study programme he/she had previously entered and the continuation of education in the doctoral programme in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Applications for transfer of such students will be individually dealt with by the competent faculty body.

 

8.      Grading system

In compliance with the Statute of the University of Ljubljana, the methods of doctoral programme assessment are defined by general guidelines only:

P: Pass

F: Fail

Student knowledge is examined and assessed by individual subject/courses and other forms of study, as defined in the curricula.

 

9.      Content and structure of the programme

The programme consists of organised classes (60 credits) and individual research work for the doctoral thesis (180 credits).

No.

Course or form of study

ECTS

No. of hours

1

Compulsory core course I

10

300

2

Compulsory core course II

10

300

3

Elective seminar course I

10

300

4

Elective seminar course II

10

300

5

External course*

10

300

6

Presentation of the results of the research work before defending the doctoral dissertation in front of Committee to monitor the doctoral student

5

150

7

Public defence of the doctoral dissertation

5

150

 

Other study units

 

 

 

Elaboration of the doctoral dissertation topic

 

Registration and public presentation of the doctoral dissertation topic

 

Individual research work – group/project research work and preparation of the doctoral dissertation

 

Preparation of an original scientific paper for publication

15

 

15

    

 

110

 

 

40

 

450

 

450

 

 

3300

 

 

1200

 

*An external course is organised in the form of lectures, seminar classes or individual consultations depending on how the course is implemented at the relevant university.

The doctoral programme in the Humanities and Social Sciences comprises 7200 hours or 240 ECTS. Organised forms of study account for 1800 hours or 60 ECTS, and individual research work for 5400 hours or 180 ECTS. 1 ECTS equals 30 hours of student work. Organised forms of study represent 25% and individual research work 75% of student obligations.

9. 1.  Structure of the programme (by year)

The structure of the programme is designed to emphasise organised study in the first year and beginning of the second year, while the later emphasis is on research and the preparation of the doctoral thesis.

 YEAR I:  60 ECTS, ORGANISED FORMS 40 ECTS

  • Compulsory core course I - 10 ECTS Compulsory core course II - 10 ECTS Elective seminar course I - 10 ECTS Compulsory core course II - 10 ECTS
  • Research work: Preparation of the doctoral dissertation topic 20 ECTS

 

YEAR II:  60 ECTS, ORGANISED FORMS 10 ECTS

  • External course - 10 ECTS Research work: Elaboration of the doctoral dissertation topic– 15 ECTS Registration and public presentation of the doctoral dissertation topic – 15 ECTS Work on the original scientific paper - 20 ECTS

YEAR III:  60 ECTS

  • Individual research work - 60 ECTS

YEAR IV:  60 ECTS, ORGANISED FORMS 10 ECTS

  • Research work: Work on the doctoral dissertation and the original scientific paper - 50 ECTS Presentation of the results of the research work before the defence of the doctoral dissertation in front of a Committee to monitor the doctoral student - 5 ECTS Public defence of the doctoral dissertation – 5 ECTS

9. 2. Elective courses and links to other study programmes

Students will be provided with an adequate number of elective seminar courses in all fields of the Humanities and Social Sciences study programme; the list will be published at the beginning of the academic year and will include the selection of generic courses prepared by the Doctoral School of the University of Ljubljana. Seminar courses will be also available to students from related programmes of other University of Ljubljana faculties and other faculties which have student exchange agreements with the University of Ljubljana.

Inter-institutional and international mobility is facilitated by the external course in the second year. In agreement with the student's supervisor and in line with the doctoral thesis topic, the student selects course(s) worth 10 ECTS from outside the institution at which he/she is enrolled.

9.3. Doctoral seminars

Doctoral seminars direct students towards their selected study field, confirmed by the doctoral thesis topic. Every year faculties provide for the preparation and implementation of elective seminar courses, adjusted to students’ specific fields of study or the doctoral thesis topic. They are implemented as elective seminar courses for restricted groups of students from the same field, or as individual work with students. Such a design provides for the highest level of flexibility, a tailor-made approach that meets individual student needs adjusted to research interests and enables prompt integration of the latest research findings and topical issues. Upon agreement with the supervisor and in line with the research topic of the doctoral thesis, students select seminars worth 20 ECTS. They are implemented as organised forms of study; implementation depends upon the number of students.

10. Description of the field Social work

The doctoral programme in Social Work is a more extensive and in-depth continuation of the second cycle master’s programmes in the field of social work. The aim of the programme is to produce highly qualified scientists, researchers, as well as pedagogical workers, qualified for international comparative research of relevant theoretical and practical problems in the field of social work.

The field of Social Work offers the opportunity to study the fundamental paradigms, theories, models, concepts and theoretical discourses of social work in comparative and historical perspective. The course is aimed at re-thinking social work as a scientific discipline and field of research, on which the social work practice relies, and at developing innovative solutions.

Curriculum

1st year

No. Course ECTS No. of hours
1 Research in social work 10 300
2 Theories and methods in social work 10 300
3 Elective core course I 10 300
4 Elective core course II 10 300
5 Research work 20 600

 

2nd year

No. Course ECTS No. of hours
1 External course 10 300
2 Elaboration of the thesis proposal 15 450
3 Registration and public presentation of the doctoral thesis topic 15 450
4 Research work 20 600

3rd year

No. Course ECTS No. of hours
1. Research work 60 1800

4th year

No. Course ECTS No. of hours
1 Research work 50 1500
2 Public presentation of research results and defence of the doctoral thesis in front of a committee 10 300

The students of Social Work enrol in two compulsory core courses (2x 10 ECTS), two elective doctoral seminars (2x 10 ECTS) and an external elective course (10 ECTS). Both core courses provide an opportunity for in-depth understanding of various theories, methods and concepts, essential for performing research in this field. Both core courses contribute to the acquisition of required critical distance towards different research approaches, theories and methods used in the field of social work and provide an opportunity for making interdisciplinary and intra-disciplinary connections.

Doctoral seminar courses offer students an opportunity to actively cooperate with the supervisors,  coordinators or lecturers of compulsory core courses or external lecturers in the actual preparation of their doctoral thesis, in addition to analytical supervisory input regarding their scientific and research work. Each student chooses his or her elective course from those offered by the interdisciplinary doctoral programme or outside the programme, either in other members of the University of Ljubljana, in one of other Slovene universities or in recognized foreign university.

External courses offered by the Faculty of social work

  1. Community mental health
  2. Direct social work
  3. Disability studies from a gender perspective: a historical and comparative perspective  
  4. Drugs and addictions
  5. Gender and welfare state
  6. Inequalities in the world of work
  7. Narrative models of psychosocial help and supervision
  8. Psychoanalytical theory
  9. Social work theory and practice
  10. The history of ideas in social work: its pioneers and sucessors in a global perspective

 

Documents and forms

Rules of the organisation and execution of the studies at the third degree programme 

Application of the doctoral dissertation proposal

Guidelines for research data management planning for PhD students