Program Overview

Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance

Overview

The Joint Doctorate (PhD) in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance is an existing three-year, interdisciplinary, joint academic programme managed by the University of Padova in Italy, the University of Zagreb in Croatia, Western Sydney University in Australia and Panteion University, Athens in Greece.

Profile of the Programme

The programme aims to produce researchers with a multi/interdisciplinary profile, mainly in the fields of law, politics, economics and sociology, where both theoretical dimensions and empirical analyses are given relevance in the overall approach to be embraced. The programme shall address the multi-level dimensions of human rights implementation policies, focusing on the most innovative and critical developments, so as to critically assess the effectiveness and consistency of doctrines and practices and their impact.

Career Prospects

The programme aims to offer the highest level of scientific knowledge in the field and to prepare students for a career in tertiary education and scientific research. Graduates of the program will be able to demonstrate aptitude in the preparation, execution and management of an independent research study, and to disseminate their findings to the wider academic community through publishing their work in academic journals and/or giving presentations in academic conferences and seminars.

Admission

1. Academic Qualifications: An accredited Bachelor’s degree in Law, Politics, International Relations, European Studies, Public Administration or a related field (LLB, BA, BSc or equivalent) in addition to an accredited Master’s degree in Law, Politics, International Relations, European Studies, Public Administration or a related field (LLM, MA, MSc or equivalent).
2. Application form: Applicants must submit an application form for admission and enrolment to the programme.
3. Curriculum vitae: a complete CV specifying all academic and professional background and activities.
4. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must obtain two recommendation letters from individuals who have known the applicant in an educational and/or professional environment.
5. English Language Proficiency: TOEFL (paper-based test 600, computer-based test 250, internet based test 100) or IELTS 6.5.
6. Previous theses/dissertations and any published work of academic relevance (if any).
7. Initial Research Proposal: An initial proposal (1,500 – 3,000 words) outlining the research topic, aims and objectives, research questions and proposed research methodology.
8. Statement of Purpose: Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive outline highlighting their academic and individual competencies and state why they believe they are suitable for admission to the Programme, as well as their reflections regarding the expectations and value of the Programme for their personal advancement and career development.
9. Individual Interviews: The Department Doctoral Programme Committee will hold an individual interview of the applicant prior to deciding.

Assessment

Course assessment usually comprises of a comprehensive final exam and continuous assessment. Continuous assessment can include amongst others, mid-terms, projects.

Letter grades are calculated based on the weight of the final exam and the continuous assessment and the actual numerical marks obtained in these two assessment components. Based on the course grades the student’s semester grade point average (GPA) and cumulative point average (CPA) are calculated.

Graduation

The student must complete 180 ECTS and all programme requirements.

A minimum cumulative grade point average (CPA) of 2.0 is required. Thus, although a ‘D-‘ is a PASS grade, in order to achieve a CPA of 2.0 an average grade of ‘C’ is required.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the students should be able to:

1. Be specifically trained in case-analysis, project-setting and problem-solving contexts.
2. Acquire research skills and analytical competences to address the socio-political challenges posed by the processes of implementation and contextualization of human rights standards and policies.
3. Acquire the competence necessary to analyze and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of public policies carried out by intergovernmental, state and sub-state entities, including the EU institutions and organs, as well as the role of non-state actors, including corporate organizations, civil society organizations, communities, human rights activists’ networks.
4. Possess the competences and skills required for academic careers, as well as to advise and assist public and private institutions active in the legal and socio-political fields, in education, communication and cultural mediation in implementing human rights programmes.
5. Comprehend basic principles of research design, including an understanding of how to conceptualize legal research, formulate researchable problems, and construct and test hypotheses by applying a range of research methods and tools.
6. Be able to manage successfully all the stages of a research project, including designing, conducting and disseminating research in a way that is consistent with both professional practice and the standard principles of research ethics.
7. Understand and appreciate the significance of alternative epistemological positions that provide the context for theory construction, research design and the selection of appropriate analysis techniques.
8. Understand and apply the concepts of generalizability, validity, reliability and replicability and identify potential biases in the interpretation of research findings.
9. Develop a sound understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of a range of research methodologies and data collection methods.
10. Be in a position to illustrate and critically evaluate research methods used in legal enquiry and demonstrate aptitude in the preparation, execution and management of an independent research study.
11. Develop skills in the dissemination of findings to the wider academic community, initially through writing-up their Thesis and then through publishing their work in academic journals and/or giving presentations in academic conferences and seminars.

Academic Path

Section: A – Courses

Min. ECTS Credits: 180 Max. ECTS Credits: 180

Course ID | Course Title | ECTS Credits
---|---|---
MIREL-662 | Research Methodology | 10
MLAW-509E | Legal Research and Methdodology | 10
PHDF-100 | Doctoral Course – Fall semester | 30
PHDS-100 | Doctoral Course – Spring semester | 30

Faculty

• Dr Odysseas Christou
• Professor Nestor Courakis
• Professor Achilles Emilianides
• Dr Christina Ioannou
• Dr Giorgos Kentas
• Dr Michalis Kontos
• Dr Christos Papastylianos
• Dr Costas Stratilatis
• Professor Andreas Theophanous

Adjunct Faculty

• Dr Odysseas Christou
• Professor Nestor Courakis
• Professor Achilles Emilianides
• Dr Christina Ioannou
• Dr Giorgos Kentas
• Dr Michalis Kontos
• Dr Christos Papastylianos
• Dr Costas Stratilatis
• Professor Andreas Theophanous