Global Studies. Economy, Society and Law

The Ph.D. Programme in Global Studies aims to provide interpretive tools and methods for the in-depth analysis and understanding of different aspects and mechanisms of globalization processes. A stimulating learning environment will be offered to prepare qualified experts at the cross-roads of different disciplines, able to undertake research and/or operational responsibilities in different (private/public/business/academic) institutions.The programme is developed over three years:

• a first year of courses and exams in Urbino;
• a second year of international research and training, mainly spent in European universities associated to the Programme;
• a third year of research activity to complete the Ph.D. thesis and initiate publications of research results.

The first year will be dedicated to courses, exams and other teaching and research activities in Urbino, in the context of the Renaissance city, part of the part of UNESCO World Heritage.

Courses with exams will be structured into teaching modules organised over two months periods: six weeks of teaching, one week of study, one week of exams (written tests and/or papers). An additional session of exams will be offered in September 2018. Admission to the second year will depend on students’ achievement of a satisfactory score at final exams in each teaching module.

Data Labs will provide opportunities for hands-on work on databases leading to the preparation of statistical and econometric analyses.

Seminars (with no exams) will address specific topics in Economics, Business, Political Science, Sociology and Law. Some seminars will be held in Italian.

Introductory and background courses will be held in September-October 2017, in order to fill gaps in students’ competences in English for academic purposes, Economics, Business, Social Sciences, Quantitative Methods.

The second year of the Ph.D. Programme will include:

• identification of a Ph.D. supervisor and definition of a research project that will be presented at the annual workshop of Urbino Ph.D. candidates, with a start of the preparation of the Ph.D. thesis;
• at least six months of research, lectures and training at another international University, to be agreed with the Ph.D. coordinator;
• participation to selected courses, seminars and conferences of the Urbino Ph.D. Programme, including those of the second thematic area on Global Society, Cross-border Mobility and Law e.g. Legal cultures (Western legal tradition and Islamic legal tradion), Interlational Labour Relations, Comparative Migration Policy;
• attendance of advanced special courses in relevant research topics and quantitative methods.

The third year will be devoted to the following activities, both in Urbino and in international universities:

• completing of the Ph.D. thesis;
• participation to selected courses and conferences relevant for the Ph.D. topic;
• presentation of papers at international workshops and writing of journal articles.

In the edition starting in 2017-2018 - International Economic Policy, Business and Governance - the following provisional calendar will be followed:

First year - First semester

• Introductory and background courses (English, Math&Statistics, Economics, Business, Politics)
• First Module: Research Methods, History and trends of Globalization, Microeconomics, History of economic thought, International Business
• Second Module: Applied Statistics, Macroeconomics, International Production and Trade, Politics and Global Governance
• Weekly Seminars

First year - Second semester

• Third Module: Applied Econometrics, European Institutions and Law, International Economic Policy, International Corporate Governance and Accounting, Data Lab
• Fourth Module: Globalisation and International Institutions, International Technology and Innovation, European Economic Policy, Data Lab
• Weekly Seminars

Second year

• Up to one year of research in a major university cooperating with the University of Urbino Ph.D. Programme.
• Definition of the Research Project Proposal 
• Participation to selected Doctoral courses, Summer Schools
• While in Urbino, attendance of the Weekly Seminars and of one course chosen among the ones offered for the 2018-19 Edition of the Programme, focused on "Global Society, Cross-border Mobility and Law". Courses offered will include inter alia: Legal Cultures (Western Legal Tradition and Islamic Legal Tradition), International Labour Relations, Comparative Migration Policy, International Trade Law

Third year

• Thesis development and completion
• Participation to selected Doctoral courses and Weekly Seminars
• Presentation of papers at International Workshops and writing of journal articles

Weekly Seminars will cover highly debated and cutting-edge themes (e.g. Inequality, Global Digital Economy, Born Global SMEs, International Finance, Environmental Regulation, Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Welfare and Social Policies, International Diplomacy), advanced research methods and tools, and research funding strategies.

The Ph.D. in Global Studies allows participants to develop a wide variety of skills and competences useful for an international career in research/teaching or in the private/public sector: strong analytical skills, ability in collaborative work, effective oral and written communication skills, deep cross-cultural competences, wide knowledge of the global socio-institutional context.

Notably, PhD graduates will be well placed to apply for the following professional opportunities:

- academic positions/careers in University Departments/ Research Centres active in the Global Studies area and in the main related disciplines;

- positions/careers as managers/analysts in:

• International governmental organizations and NGOs active in the economic-social setting, in both advanced and developing countries
• Local, national and transnational organizations and agencies supporting the internationalization processes of SMEs and social companies
• Business enterprises and professional firms (consulting/legal sector) active in international projects