Application
Research Training Group ‘Philosophy, Science and the Sciences’ starting in October 2014
The application round for doctoral students starting in October 2014 was closed on June 9, 2014. The next call for applications will be issued in the fall of 2014 for doctoral students starting in October 2015.
About the Research Training Group
The overarching aim of the program is to study the dialogue between different forms and models of knowledge in ancient Greek, Roman and Arabic philosophy and science (including its medieval and early modern reception). It brings together philosophers, classicists, Arabists and historians of science. We are interested in hosting doctoral projects in any of these fields which relate in some way to our overarching aim. We do not expect doctoral students to deal with more than one special science and are open to many different kinds of connections between philosophy and science.
The fellowships cover the living costs at Berlin and are for full-time study only. There are no tuition fees, but there are low administrative fees amounting to ca. 250-300 Euros per semester (which include a ticket for public transport in Berlin).
Students may also apply for a funded pre-doctoral year of studies. Typical candidates for this option are students who need one year of preparation before beginning their dissertation, for instance candidates with a promising dissertation project, who need to improve their language skills in ancient Greek, Latin or Arabic, or who have to work out their research proposal more carefully, before starting their doctoral research. To join the program the standard requirement is an MA degree in philosophy or classics.
Qualification Program
Students in the program normally go through the curriculum of the Graduate Program in Ancient Philosophy, which leads to the doctoral degree in Philosophy or Classics. It includes colloquia, dissertation seminars, reading groups, international workshops, and intensive short courses. The program centers on the writing of a doctoral dissertation (in English or German). The language of instruction is English. When appropriate, students might follow the curriculum of the program ‘History of Science’ instead).
Both programs are part of the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS), which is embedded in a lively community of scholars and institutions (such as the Excellence Cluster Topoi) all devoted to ancient studies. BerGSAS offers structured programs of doctoral studies and involves the participation of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the Freie Universität Berlin and a number of non-university research institutions.
The international Ancient Philosophy & Science Network (APSN)
Students of the program are automatically part of the international Ancient Philosophy & Science Network (APSN) founded by the Graduate Program. Its international partners are among the foremost departments in the world for ancient and late ancient philosophy and science.
Applications
The next call for applications will be issued in the fall of 2014 for doctoral students starting in October 2015. Interviews will be held in Berlin. Candidates from overseas will not need to travel to Berlin for an interview.
Enquiries: irma.handwerker@hu-berlin.de