Educational Programme Description

The aim of the APS Doctoral School is to support the scientific and personal development of doctoral students, including their general skills and competences, and as a result - to gain independence in conducting advanced scientific research. The direct result of education at the Doctoral School is a doctoral dissertation presenting the results of individual research work carried out under the scientific supervision. A doctoral student, in addition to solving a specific research problem in the field of social sciences, participates in a process aimed at multifaceted cognition and understanding of the world.

The educational program of the APS Doctoral School is interdisciplinary - its structure allows for parallel exploration of the area of theory and empirical research in the field of social sciences.
The program consists of four modules covering: theoretical knowledge in the field of social sciences; methodological and academic knowledge and skills; preparation of a doctoral dissertation, as well as didactic preparation for the work of an academic teacher. The modules are carried out in parallel, so that deepening theoretical knowledge contributes to the creation of a high-quality research project, the possibility of its implementation based on research grants and the creation of a doctoral dissertation on this basis, which is the basis for obtaining a doctoral degree.

MODULE I. TRENDS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
The module provides an opportunity to deepen knowledge in the field of the subject of the doctoral dissertation and related areas. It shows the current directions of scientific exploration and ongoing discussions about them. It presents leading research centers and their latest research and publication achievements.

Classes in this module:

• Trends in Social Sciences
• Interactive Lectures with Outstanding Researchers
• Visiting Professors Lectures and Seminars.

MODULE II. PREPARATION FOR SCIENTIFIC AND RESEARCH WORK

The module prepares in a practical way for a conscious choice of research orientation and designing one’s own research workshop, with an emphasis on methodological differences existing in the field of social sciences. It introduces institutional rules of conducting research, including the rules of preparing applications for research grants. It equips with the skills necessary to plan independent and team research activities. It prepares for the analysis of research material (qualitative and quantitative), for the dissemination of research results, including the creation of high-quality scientific publications.

Classes in this module:

• Scientific Writing
• Research Methodology and Basics of Data Analysis in Social Sciences
• Construction of Measures
• Information Technology in Research Work
• Scientific Research in Practice
• Project Management
• Preparation of Grant Applications
• Advanced Analysis of Quantitative Data
• Advanced Analysis of Qualitative Data
• Data Visualization and Interpretation
• Communicating Scientific Results
• Techniques of Scientific Ideas Exchange
• Intellectual Property and Commercialization of Research Results
• Ethics of Scientific Research
• Reviewing Scientific Papers.

MODULE III. WORK ON A SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT

This module is designed to enable cooperation between the doctoral student and the supervisor or supervisors, as well as among doctoral students, aimed at the creation of a doctoral dissertation, which is the basis for obtaining a doctoral degree.

Classes in this module:

• Regular meetings with the supervisor or supervisors (tutoring);
• Doctoral seminar in the form of discussion meetings embedded in the thematic area of the disciplines and based on presentations of the concept of the doctoral dissertation (with the participation of supervisors; open to interested parties).
• Expert mentoring with a selected academic teacher.

MODULE IV. ACADEMIC TEACHING

The module prepares for the role of an academic teacher in reference to the idea of the Humboldt University as a place that allows the unity of science and teaching, a community of teachers and learners to be realized.

Classes in this module:

• University as an Organization and Educational Institution
• Higher Education Didactics 
• Practice.