Framework Academic Rules and Regulations for Doctoral Study Programs at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS)

Framework Academic Rules and Regulations for Doctoral Study Programs at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin Preamble Pursuant to 35 para. 2 clause 3 and 74 of the Act on Higher Education Institutions in the State of Berlin (Berliner Hochschulgesetz BerlHG) in the version of the public announcement of the new version dated 13 February 2003 (GVBl. p. 81), last amended on 20 May 2011 (GVBl. p. 194), the joint commission (gemeinsame Kommission) established by the Departments of History and Cultural Studies, Philosophy and Humanities and Earth Sciences of Freie Universität Berlin and Faculties of Arts and Humanities I through III and the Faculty of Theology of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin adopted the following Framework Academic Rules and Regulations for doctoral study programs at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) on 04 May 2011 ): Contents 1 Scope of Application 2 Objective of Doctoral Study Programs 3 Doctoral Study Programs at the Graduate School 4 Admission Requirements for Doctoral Study Programs, Application and Selection Procedures 8 Gender Equality, Support for Families 9 Curriculum for a Doctoral Study Program 10 Preliminary Program (Propädeutikum) for Doctoral Study Programs 11 German and International Partner Institutions 12 Entry into Force Appendix 1: Required Application Documents (Submit Online) Appendix 2: Application for Admission to the Doctoral Study Program XYZ Appendix 3: Request for Admission to the Doctoral Study Program XYZ Appendix 4: Template for the Graduation Certificate Appendix 5: Template for the Transcript of Records Appendix 6: Supervisory Agreement pursuant to 6 para. 3 Appendix 7: Course Schedule Appendix 8: List of Participating Faculties/Departments ) These Rules and Regulations were confirmed by the university management of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on xx June 2011 and by that of Freie Universität Berlin on xx June 2011. 1

1 Scope of Application These Rules and Regulations govern the framework conditions, particularly the requirements for admission to a doctoral study program, application and selection procedures, and the content, structure, objectives, organization, and performance requirements that apply to doctoral study programs at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) ( Graduate School ). 2 Objective of Doctoral Study Programs The objective of the doctoral study programs offered at the Graduate School is to ensure excellent, structured education by offering opportunities to earn qualifications for students within the individual doctoral study programs in disciplines associated with ancient studies or in disciplines whose focus lies on the cultures of the ancient world or their legacies, thereby helping to promote an inter-institutional and transdisciplinary approach to doctoral studies as well as an internationally oriented interdisciplinary culture of doctoral studies. 3 Doctoral Study Programs at the Graduate School (1) 1 The Graduate School offers a range of inter-institutional, interdisciplinary structured doctoral study programs that are to be developed by the representatives of the participating subjects. 2 Within the scope of the doctoral study programs, subject-specific supervision is guaranteed and students are given the opportunity to advance their doctoral projects. 3 The doctoral study programs are hosted by those disciplines that form the basis for the Berliner Antike-Kolleg (BAK), and they are differentiated by their different disciplinary areas of emphasis. 4 Within the scope of the curriculum ( 9), a set of academic rules and regulations including a course schedule and a sample supervisory agreement must be prepared for each doctoral study program to be initiated. (2) 1 Each of the doctoral study programs includes a binding education program consisting of subject-specific and non-subject-specific components (academically relevant key competencies) ( 9). 2 These promote interdisciplinary networking among students as well as networking with non-university institutions. (3) The standard study period is six semesters encompassing 180 credits. (4) 1 All doctoral study programs must be designed such that they can be initiated at the Graduate School, the Dahlem Research School (DRS) and/or the Humboldt Graduate School (HGS). 2 Requests for inclusion of a doctoral study program within the Graduate School must be prepared by the representative of that program in consideration of the framework curriculum ( 9) of the Graduate School and sent to the directors of the Graduate School. 3 Requests for inclusion of a doctoral study program operated by the Graduate School within DRS and/or HGS must be prepared by the directors of the Graduate School in consideration of the template of DRS for academic rules and regulations and the guidelines of HGS and forwarded to DRS and/or HGS. (5) 1 Quality control and German and international benchmarking for the doctoral study programs at the Graduate School will be performed jointly with DRS and/or HGS. 2 The pertinent evaluation procedures must be regulated by mutual agreement between the Graduate School and DRS and/or HGS and resolved by the directors of the Graduate School. 4 Admission Requirements for Doctoral Study Programs, Application and Selection Procedures (1) 1 The application deadline for admission to a doctoral study program falls on 30 April for candidates wishing to begin their doctoral studies on 01 October of the year then in progress or on 30 September for those wishing to begin their doctoral studies on 01 April of the following year. 2 Applicants who wish to be admitted to a doctoral study program at the Graduate School must meet the requirements for admission to doctoral studies either at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin or at Freie Universität Berlin or be exchange students from partner universities. 3 Applications 2

and application documents must be submitted to the Graduate School in full in accordance with the specifications stated in Appendix 1. 4 Applicants who submit applications that are not in accordance with these specifications, especially incomplete applications, will be excluded from the admissions process. (2) 1 The selection process for admission to doctoral study programs will be performed either by selection commissions or selection officers in accordance with the rules and regulations for the doctoral study program in question. 2 A representative of the Graduate School shall participate in the selection process with voting rights; representatives of DRS and HGS shall also be invited to participate, along with the gender equality officers or women s representatives of the relevant faculty or department, as the case may be (in each case in an advisory capacity). 3 The doctoral study programs shall accommodate the principles of equal opportunity in their selection, supervision, and teaching activities. 4 There is no legal entitlement to admission to a doctoral study program at the Graduate School. (3) Decisions regarding applications for admission to a doctoral study program shall be made within a time limit of six weeks, beginning as of the application deadline. (4) Admission to a doctoral study program is subject to the condition subsequent of not being admitted to doctoral studies ( 5 para. 1). 5 Admission to a Doctoral Study Program (1) 1 After being admitted to a doctoral study program at the Graduate School, applicants are required to submit an application for admission to doctoral studies to the doctoral committee of the faculty or department responsible for their subject within a time limit of four weeks. 2 The relevant doctoral committee shall decide whether to admit the applicant in accordance with the then-applicable rules and regulations on doctoral studies. (2) 1 Applicants who demonstrate outstanding potential for academic performance and development, but have not yet reached the necessary level of knowledge based on their subject-specific education, or do not yet have the necessary language skills, or cannot yet submit a fully developed dissertation project, may, in certain justifiable exceptional cases, be admitted to a doctoral study program for a limited term upon a request to that effect in order to complete a preliminary program ( 10). 2 The maximum term of participation in a preliminary program is one year. 6 Teaching and Supervision Activities within Doctoral Studies (1) 1 The teaching activities and supervision shall be governed by the rules and regulations applicable to the individual doctoral study programs. 2 The teaching options and courses offered by the relevant doctoral study programs shall be implemented by the university instructors of the participating faculties and/or departments and DRS and/or HGS. 3 Members of participating nonuniversity cooperation partners may be involved in educational activities in accordance with the relevant cooperation agreements. 4 Fellows and Senior Fellows of BAK may be involved in the teaching activities of the Graduate School by invitation. 5 Teaching assignments may be issued by both participating universities for special courses. (2) 1 Each doctoral project shall be supervised by a supervisory team from the relevant doctoral study program. 2 The supervisory team shall typically consist of a supervisor and a co-supervisor or multiple additional co-supervisors. 3 Interdisciplinary team membership and the inclusion of members of non-university institutions within the supervisory team are desired. 4 If members of supervisory teams are dismissed or resign, the representative of the doctoral study program in question shall endeavor to find an alternative supervisory arrangement that is appropriate for the subject. (3) 1 The students and the members of the supervisory team shall enter into a supervisory agreement as detailed in Appendix 6. 2 Non-compliance with the supervisory agreement by students may lead to their being excluded from the doctoral study program. 3 Members of the supervisory team may change or be replaced with the consent of the students in question. 3

7 Organization of the Doctoral Study Program (1) 1 The components, objectives, and organization of the doctoral study program, the student workload, the relationship between academic research (work on the dissertation), subjectspecific education and acquisition of transferable skills, and reporting obligations shall be governed by the rules and regulations for each doctoral study program. (2) 1 A scholar who holds a doctorate must be assigned to advise students. 2 This scholar will be appointed by the directors of the Graduate School at the nomination of the representative of the doctoral study program. 8 Gender Equality, Support for Families 1 The Graduate School shall promote gender equality and family-friendly measures. 2 Compatibility with family obligations shall be considered in scheduling the doctoral study activities. 9 Curriculum for a Doctoral Study Program (1) Each doctoral study program shall encompass a specific area, a joint research emphasis, or a joint research area pursued by the disciplines, based at universities in Berlin, whose research is related to ancient studies. (2) 1 Up to four-fifths of each doctoral study program shall be composed of academic research (work on the dissertation). 2 Up to one-fifth thereof shall be composed of courses in the subjectspecific disciplines specific to a doctoral study program and the associated courses and events (studies in the specific subject of doctoral study) as well as courses in transferable skills offered by DRS and HGS (acquisition of skills in the areas of communicating knowledge, academic management, and academically relevant foreign languages). (3) The curriculum for a doctoral study program shall encompass, alongside work on the dissertation, a set of courses (up to 36 credits, up to six per semester where possible): (a) Subject-specific studies: seminars, colloquia from the courses offered within the individual disciplines, topic-specific research methodology and techniques; (b) Practice-oriented courses and events (internships, workshops, lecture series, visits to excavations/conferences); (c) Transferable Skills / Soft Skills / Key Qualifications / Professional Skills from the courses offered by DRS or HGS (especially language courses and courses on presentation skills, academic writing, academic management). (4) 1 Out of the maximum of 36 credits involved, no more than six should be allocated to courses pursuant to para. 3 No. 2 (c) above (for language courses, up to six). 2 The remaining 30 credits should be distributed across course options pursuant to para. 3 No. 2 (a) and (b). 3 The number of required and compulsory elective courses will be set specifically for each doctoral study program; students should deepen their core competencies in the required courses. 4 The compulsory elective courses offered should be open to all disciplines involved in the Graduate School, depending on available space. 5 It is possible to involve course offerings from other doctoral study programs at the Graduate School or from doctoral study programs not affiliated with the Graduate School and to earn credit for work completed therein insofar as there is equivalency. 6 The rules and regulations for the doctoral study programs shall govern the conditions under which students are considered to have met the performance requirements within the scope of a doctoral study program. (5) 1 In justifiable exceptional cases, it is possible, upon request, to extend the term of studies to a maximum of eight semesters. 2 If the statutory parental leave period is utilized in full, the duration of studies shall be extended accordingly. (6) After first undergoing training in teaching at higher education institutions, students in the third year of their study programs shall be involved in implementing courses, under supervision, with- 4

in a subject relevant to the topic of the dissertation and within the scope of their professional qualifications. (7) 1 Doctoral students shall be given the opportunity to perform part of their academic research abroad where possible, at a partner institution ( 11) provided that such activities are expected to provide additional support or advancement in light of the status of progress on the dissertation at the time. 2 International networking by doctoral students shall be supported through travel funding provided by the doctoral study programs in the case of periods spent abroad for research purposes and in the case of conferences. 10 Preliminary Program (Propädeutikum) for Doctoral Study Programs (1) 1 Applicants who have been admitted to a preliminary program (Propädeutikum) for a doctoral study program for a limited term in accordance with 5 para. 2 shall, during such preliminary program, complete a study program arranged according to their needs and develop their dissertation project for admission to the doctoral study program. 2 The study programs shall be arranged by the student advisors in consultation with the students. (2) 1 Each semester, 15 credits may be awarded for attending courses and a further 15 credits may be awarded for work on developing the dissertation project. 2 The course schedule shall be determined on an individual basis, in consultation with the supervisory team. 3 No credit toward the doctoral study program will be awarded for these activities. (3) 1 Admission to the preliminary program presupposes an application process in accordance with 4. 2 After the preliminary program has been successfully completed, the time limit applicable to the student s admission to the doctoral study program may be removed. 11 German and International Partner Institutions (1) 1 The Graduate School strives to establish and maintain partnerships with German and international institutions. 2 The cooperation agreements entered into with partners must ensure that the provisions of these Rules and Regulations apply. (2) 1 The Graduate School also offers opportunities for doctoral students from other institutions in Germany and abroad to study within the Graduate School as part of programs for visiting scholars and researchers and exchange programs. 2 The costs of travel and living abroad must be assumed by the home institution. 3 To this end, each doctoral study program shall establish a network of universities and other academic institutions in Germany and abroad. (2) 1 To promote the exchange of instructors, funds may be raised for visiting professorships. 2 Visiting scholars and researchers from the fellow program of BAK or other institutions may also be included in the teaching and supervisory options offered. 12 Entry into Force These Framework Rules and Regulations shall take effect one day after being published in the Memoranda of Freie Universität (FU-Mitteilungen; official register of Freie Universität Berlin) and in the official register (Amtliches Mitteilungsblatt) of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 5

Appendix 1: Required Application Documents (Submit Online) - Completed application form (Appendix 2) - Completed request for admission to the doctoral study program (Appendix 3) - Statement of the proposed dissertation project (8 10 pages) - Working plan and schedule - Overview in table format, listing activities and experience relevant to the doctoral study program - Curriculum vitae in table format - Statement of purpose in applying to the doctoral study program (2 3 pages) - Transcripts of all previous degrees earned (certified copies) - Two letters of recommendation from higher education instructors - Proof of the English and, where applicable, German language skills required per the applicable individual rules and regulations (minimum level: C 1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) - Sample paper (15 20 pages) 6

Appendix 2: Application for Admission to the Doctoral Study Program XYZ Please print this form, complete it (please print), and send it, together with the other documentation, by mail to the chair of the managing committee for doctoral study programs in Ancient Languages and Texts. The application deadline is. Personal information Last name: First name: Sex: Date of birth: Place of birth: Children: Citizenship: Address: Telephone: e-mail: Qualifications Previous degree(s): Study program(s): Overall grade(s): 1 Date(s) awarded: University or universities: Title(s) of thesis project(s)/dissertation(s): 1 If you earned your degree abroad, please enclose an explanation of the grading system on a separate sheet of paper. 7

Proposed doctoral project Subject in which you wish to earn a doctorate: Working title of dissertation: Proposed supervisors: 1. 2. Comments: How did you hear about the doctoral study program at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS)? (Newspaper/newsletter ad/own search/personal recommendation/internet search engine ) Date, signature: 8

Appendix 3: Request for Admission to the Doctoral Study Program XYZ Applicant Last name, first name... Mailing address... University degree in (study program)... Doctoral study program... Planned topic of dissertation project... (where applicable, as enclosure).... Please be sure to enclose the following: 1. Certificate and transcript regarding your degree 2. If your previous degree and the subject in which you wish to earn a doctorate are not the same, please state why you believe you will be able to implement your proposed doctoral project successfully (in particular, provide evidence of prior knowledge and skills relevant to your proposed dissertation project, publications, specialization, professional experience) Declaration: I confirm that the information provided above is accurate. I am familiar with the applicable version of the doctoral rules and regulations of the Faculty [name] or Department [name].... Date, signature Supervisor for the dissertation project.... Date, signature The requirements of the faculty/department in question for admission to the doctoral study program have been reviewed. 1. The applicant can be admitted to doctoral study without a time limit or other conditions. 2. The applicant cannot be admitted to doctoral study, or can be admitted only subject to a time limit and/or other conditions (enclose statement of reasons in case of rejection or admission subject to a time limit and/or other conditions).... Date, signature, stamp of the chair of the doctoral committee 9

Appendix 4: Template for the Graduation Certificate Doctoral Study Program XYZ at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) Graduation Certificate for the successful completion of the Doctoral Study Program XYZ pursuant to the rules and regulations of the doctoral study program XYZ at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) (Memoranda of Freie Universität (FU-Mitteilungen) No. 00/2011 / Official Register (Amtliches Mitteilungsblatt) of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin No. 00/2011) Ms. / Mr. date of birth born in has fulfilled all requirements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the doctoral study program XYZ. Berlin, (date) (L.S.) The Spokesperson of the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) The Representative of the Doctoral Study Program XYZ 10

Appendix 5: Template for the Transcript of Records Doctoral Study Program XYZ at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) Transcript of Records for the successful completion of the Doctoral Study Program XYZ pursuant to the rules and regulations of the doctoral study program XYZ at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) (Memoranda of Freie Universität (FU-Mitteilungen) No. 00/2011 / Official Register (Amtliches Mitteilungsblatt) of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin No. 00/2011) Ms. / Mr. date of birth born in has fulfilled all requirements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the doctoral study program XYZ: 11

In the individual study units (modules), credits were awarded for the following: Courses: Credits Research Seminar Ancient Studies Research Colloquium Subject-Related Research Colloquium Research Colloquium in Different Discipline Workshops Conferences Courses on Key Qualifications Language Courses Additional activities: A list of publications is enclosed. Berlin, (date) L.S. The Spokesperson of the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) The Representative of the Doctoral Study Program XYZ 12

Appendix 6 Supervisory Agreement pursuant to 6 para. 3 between and (Doctoral candidate), (Supervisor as defined in the doctoral rules and regulations) (Co-supervisor) (Where applicable, second co-supervisor) (Representative of the doctoral study program) 1. [ Ms. or Mr.: First name Last name ] has been a doctoral candidate in the doctoral study program XYZ at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin since 00 Month 2011 and as such is working on a dissertation with the working title "[..]." The dissertation project was presented by the doctoral candidate based on a detailed written research proposal and was approved by the supervisor and by the representative of the doctoral study program. 2. The dissertation project is to be supervised by a supervisory team in accordance with 6 para. 2. The supervisory team consists of the following university instructors: 1. (supervisor) 2. (co-supervisor) 3. (where applicable, second supervisor) 3. Prior to the commencement of the doctoral studies, and based on the project-related doctoral program, the supervisory team shall define where applicable, pursuant to x para. x of the individual rules and regulations in compliance with the provisions set forth in x through x, the type and the extent of the lectures and seminars to be completed by the doctoral candidate beyond the study program itself (modules). 4. With the consent of the supervisory team, the doctoral candidate shall prepare the theoretical and methodological cornerstones of the dissertation project and a detailed work plan and time schedule. At appropriate intervals, the supervisory team shall comment on and evaluate the progress made by the doctoral candidate in the project and study program, in oral or written form. Regular reports by the doctoral candidate to the team shall provide insight into his or her progress. During the period when courses are in session during each semester, consultation and supervisory meetings shall be held at least once per month. If needed, additional appointments may be convened on short notice. Should there be any concerns either on the part of the supervisory team or the doctoral candidate with regard to the continued working relationship with individual members of the supervisory team or the supervisory team as a whole, the representative is to be notified thereof. The representative shall then take the appropriate steps. 5. The standard dissertation preparation period stipulated in the rules and regulations on doctoral study applies as the period allotted for preparing the dissertation. The doctoral candidate shall aim to submit his or her dissertation within the standard study period stipulated in x para. x of the individual rules and regulations. The work plan and time schedule stated in the appendix dated [ Date ] or newer schedules agreed upon and appended hereto, as the case may be, shall apply. These schedules must be approved by the supervisory team. The doctoral candidate is obliged to immediately inform the supervisory team in the event of any relevant changes to the work plan and time schedule. The supervisory team and the representative shall support the doctoral candidate in observing the work plan and schedule. 6. The doctoral candidate is not permitted to engage in any paid or unpaid part-time employment except where there is no concern that this activity would adversely affect the duties and requirements to be fulfilled by the doctoral candidate within the scope of the doctoral program. Such adverse effects are deemed to exist in particular if the part-time employment, by virtue of its nature and scope, demands so much of the doctoral candidate s capacity for work and performance that it will be difficult for the doctoral candidate to achieve the objectives of the doctoral study program. Before accepting any part-time employment, the doctoral candidate must notify the representative and the supervisory team thereof. 13

7. The doctoral candidate is required to choose his or her residence such that the fulfillment of his or her duties and requirements within the scope of the doctoral program is not adversely affected. 8. The doctoral candidate and the members of the supervisory team agree to abide by the rules of good academic practice in compliance with the articles on ensuring good academic practice (code of conduct) of Freie Universität Berlin dated 17 April 2002 (FU Memoranda No. 29/2002) and in accordance with the articles on the principles of Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin on ensuring good academic practice and on handling accusations of academic misconduct dated 25 June 2002 (Official Register 33/2002). This includes an obligation on the doctoral candidate's part to consult his/her supervisory team or other persons of trust in cases of doubt. For the members of the supervisory team, this expressly includes the duty to observe and cite any copyright provisions applicable to texts or findings of the doctoral candidate. 9. All persons involved shall review and, if necessary, modify the supervisory agreement and its appendices on an annual basis. In the event an extension is needed to prepare the dissertation project beyond the end of the standard study period, a new supervisory agreement may, if necessary, be presented to the representative for approval. All persons involved agree to allow the release of general information about the dissertation project for the purposes of statistical survey and evaluation of doctoral supervision. Should the doctoral studies be interrupted, all persons involved are required to submit reasons in writing to the representative. Date and signatures: (Doctoral candidate) (Supervisor as defined in the doctoral rules and regulations) (Co-supervisor) (where applicable, second co- supervisor ) (Representative of the doctoral study program) 14

Appendix 7: Course Schedule: Sem. 1) Work on the dissertation 2a) Subjectspecific studies Required/ compulsory elective courses 2b) (Practice-oriented ) courses Required/compulsory elective courses 2c) Transferable Skills Compulsory elective courses 1. 2. 3. 4. Study/research abroad 5. 6. credits credits credits The curriculum (2a c) is arranged in accordance with the disciplinary focus of the doctoral project (course types must be described in detail). Allocation of credits to individual columns and semesters may vary, but must not exceed 30 credits, with not more than five (or six, as the case may be) credits to be awarded for study activities pursuant to 9 para. 3 No. 2 (c). (Awarding of credits for study activities pursuant to 9 para. 3 No. 2 (a) and (b) may vary accordingly.) 15

Appendix 8: List of Participating Faculties/Departments Departments of Freie Universität Berlin: - Department of Philosophy and Humanities - Department of History and Cultural Studies - Department of Earth Sciences Faculties of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: - Faculty of Arts and Humanities I - Faculty of Arts and Humanities II - Faculty of Arts and Humanities III - Faculty of Theology 16