PhD Programme "Political Science: Comparative and European Politics", Siena

Deadline for application: 20 June, 2010

http://www.gips.unisi.it/gradschool/news/40/prova

The Centre for the Study of Political Change of the University of Siena offers PhD Programme "Political Science: Comparative and European Politics". The programme aims to provide advanced training in both the theory and methodology of political science, with a special emphasis on comparative politics, international relations and European studies. They appeal both to students who want to pursue an academic career in "border areas" between comparative and European politics and international relations, and to those considering high-level occupations in the public service at the regional, national, or supranational levels, as well as in journalism, international banking, and commerce.

Application Form
The application form for the 2010/2011 Academic Year will be available in mid to late May, 2010. Please check the website regularly for updates.

It must be filled in and submitted online. The field “research project title” and “research project abstract” must be filled in, as well as the fields “Curriculum Vitae” and “Other degrees” (if any). The fields “ essay title” and “essay abstract” should be ignored.
NB: foreign applicants must type ‘ND’ into the field ‘codice fiscale’, otherwise the system will not accept the application.

The deadline for submitting the application form online will be 20 June 2010.

Paper Documentation
Besides the online application form, you must submit the following paper documentation: – A research project. The research project, written in English, must be approximately five pages long, showing your ability to deal with a relevant topic of research and to design a feasible research. It should include a brief literature review, a description of the main research questions, a discussion of the research design chosen and an indication of the main results expected and their relevance. The topic chosen will not constrain in any way your future choice of the dissertation topic. – Two letters of reference, in sealed envelope, evaluating the candidate’s attitude to research activity and his/her scientific maturity. – A Curriculum Vitae.

Send all paper documentation indicated above to the following address:

Ufficio Formazione e Post Laurea
Università degli Studi di Siena
Via Valdimontone, 1 – 53100 SIENA *Be sure to include the receipt you will receive in the reply to the submission of the application form.

-The deadline for receiving the paper documentation will be in June 2010.

Foreign Degrees
Students holding a foreign degree (that must be at least a four-year degree) must include the following: – A copy of the original diploma – A degree certificate showing all exams and marks.
These two have to be translated and validated by the Italian Embassy or Consulate, and declared equivalent to the Italian “Diploma di Laurea”.

Interview
Only candidates getting a 6 (out of 10) on their research project will be admitted to the oral interview (Summer 2009), which takes place at the University of Siena. The oral interview will be partially or totally conducted in English, and will consist in a discussion of the research project, the previous background and present motivations of the candidate for the programme and her/his interest in comparative and European politics.

Scholarships
A number of scholarships (about 13.000€ per year) are available on the basis of past records and performance at the interview.

Calendar
May 2010 (specific date TBA)- Application form becomes available
20 June 2010 – Applications deadline
14 July 2010 – Interview
Summer 2010- Selection
October-January – Fall semester
March-June – Spring semester

For further administrative enquiries please contact
Centre for the Study of Political Change (CIRCaP)
Via Mattioli 10, I-53100, Siena
Tel. + 39 0577 235311
Fax. + 39 0577 235292
Contacts:
Stacey Bancone, Secretary CIRCaP
Fabio Serricchio, Tutor PhD programme
E-Mail: bancone2@unisi.it serricchio@unisi.it
Web: http://www.gips.unisi.it/circap
Poster