Doctoral Preparation Programme

Cultural and Social Studies at the Max-Weber-Kolleg

The Max Weber Kolleg offers intensive doctoral preparation (usually 3-6 to a maximum of 12 months) as part of its study programme. The doctoral preparation is aimed at persons who have an excellent MA degree and who wish to pursue an interdisciplinary doctorate in the context of the Weberian research programme.


For suitable persons (application procedure incl. interview by selection committee based on a letter of motivation with reference to the Weberian research programme, CV, grades of the MA, submission of the Master's thesis and letter of recommendation from a university teacher), a one-semester preparation period for the doctorate will be offered, which allows for individualised supervision by a mentor, so that at the end of the doctoral preparation an exposé is written that enables application to doctoral programmes.

The doctoral preparation programme follows a modularized structure and is geared to the individual needs of the participants. It consists of the modules "Project Development", "Literature", "Colloquium", "Seminar" and "Competence". The first three modules are compulsory modules. The other two are elective modules.

Certificates may be issued for participation in the individual modules so that the participants receive corresponding proof of preparation for their doctoral studies. Participation in the programme does not guarantee admission as a doctoral student at the Max-Weber-Kolleg.

We can currently not offer stipends for the programme.

Contact person for applications

Elisabeth Begemann
Dr. Elisabeth Begemann
Junior Fellow / Event Management and Publications Officer "Religion in the Roman Empire" (RRE) / Project-Coordinator IGS "Resonant Self-World Relations in Ancient and Modern Socio-Religious Practices"
(Max Weber Centre for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies)
Weltbeziehungen / C19.00.17
+49 361 737-2808
elisabeth.begemann@uni-erfurt.de

Modules

Project Development

In the Project Development module, the topic and the question are enhanced out and refined together with the mentor as well as the next steps and the schedule. In consultation with the mentor, an individualized work plan is drawn up in which the methodological and content-related elements still to be acquired are diagnosed and the seminar and competence modules to be attended are defined. Likewise, the tutor also determines which colloquia are to be attended. In this module, the exposé of the proposed doctoral project is created which becomes the basis for the evaluation of the project. The tutor and the participant meet on a biweekly basis.

Literature

The module Literature is used for the development of a reading plan and the evaluation of the reading for the development of the proposed topic. In this module, a reading plan is developed with a specialist advisor. The student will practice concentrating on particularly relevant literature and discussing this literature in relation to the proposed topic. The goal is to create a clear and thoughtful description of the project including any relevant research gaps. This module provides consultations by appointment.

Colloquium

In the module Colloquium, projects of fellow Max-Weber-Kolleg colleagues are presented and critically discussed on the basis of a written submission which has to be sent one week before the colloquium date (maximum 20 pages). The colloquium serves to present, discuss and revise your work especially in an interdisciplinary context. The participants will become familiar with the Weberian Research Programme – they will learn to critically evaluate other research projects, to change their perspective and to participate in an interdisciplinary discussion culture. Participants in this programme must take part in five to seven colloquia per semester.

Formalities

Application

No current calls for scholarships at the moment

Funding

Accompaniment

In addition to the mentor, participants of the doctoral preparation programme can also turn to the doctoral spokespersons if they have questions and suggestions.

Note

Admission to the doctoral preparation programme does not guarantee admission to the Max-Weber-Kolleg. Participation in MWK events is therefore only possible in consultation with the mentor.