Passing the study plan

Although the key task of the PhD student is to create a good dissertation, it must be taken into account that for a successful post-graduate program, it is necessary for a PhD student to posses deep knowledge of the general field of study (not only in a narrow dissertation topic); this level of knowledge has to be significantly higher than the one required from a Master’s student. The state doctoral exam aims to verify this level of knowledge (academic literacy) and the general orientation of the doctoral student in the field of comparative constitutional law.

The state doctoral exam may take place after only upon completion all compulsory cpourses of the program. It is typically assumed that the State Doctoral Examination will be held together with the defense of the dissertation thesis.

The doctoral student's task is to write a good dissertation. The curriculum content is tailored for this purpose.

In the first three semesters of the program, compulsory courses focusing on methodology are included. The course of the dissertation’s preparation, including the individual milestones, is monitored within the compulsory courses which focus on the dissertation (Thesis Project 1-3, Thesis 1-5).

Within compulsory courses that are focused on the dissertation (Thesis project 3 and Thesis 3) there will be also included student's presentation of her/his research to students of bachelor or master programs. Particular form of student's pedagogical activity will be will be set upon an agreement with the supervisor. These forms might include (but are not limited to) lectures in compulsory bachelor or master courses, being a consultant of a bachelor or master thesis, creating a new elective course etc.

In contrast to the current form of doctoral studies at the Law Faculty, the quality rather than the quantity of publications during the doctoral study will be emphasized. The main goal of the program is to produce a very good dissertation thesis. The purpose of activities carried out during the course of study (typically presentations at professional conferences) is to obtain feedback on the student's ideas and suggestions for further work on the thesis. Specific publication milestones (publication focus, format, such as journal article or a contribution to the conference proceedings, etc.) will be set upon an agreement with the supervisor (in an individual study plan).

In accordance with Government Regulation No. 274/2016 Coll. the student will be required to engage in internationalization activities. This engagement will be ensured by two electives (it is compulsory to select one of these three courses though). The student can access to the state doctoral examination only after completion of one of these courses. The individual electives correspond alternatives stipulated by Government Regulation. Selection of a particular internalization elective is done by the doctoral student in consultation with their supervisor.

In the course of their studies, the student has to complete all the courses marked as compulsory (typically subjects that monitor the dissertation work and subjects related to the methodology) as well as the required number of electives in a prescribed structure.

The program is a newly accredited one. The following sample of relevant theses topics has been chosen.

Chief Justices as Political Actors
New Separation of Powers
Modern Challenges to Freedom of Speech
Transitional Justice Argument before the ECtHR
Whistleblowing
Implied Rights