The first year is entirely spent in Italy. Students attend advanced courses in classical sociological theories and are introduced to the most up-to-date theoretical debates in both general and specific sociologies. Courses are also devoted to related approaches such as anthropology, economics, social policy and game theory. Special attention is given to training in methodology, epistemology, research design, sampling, data collection and analysis, statistical and mathematical techniques. Student performance is assessed through a final examination at the end of each course.
PhD Students are required to spend part of their second year abroad, visiting universities and research institutions having established exchange relationships with the Graduate School. They will also attend additional courses and seminars in the fields they have selected for their research project. The final project will result from organised discussions and interaction between students and Faculty members, This process ensures that students have frequent opportunities to exchange ideas with the staff members responsible for following and supporting their research progress. By the end of the second year, each student is expected to submit and defend a detailed thesis project and produce an extended introductory paper for the dissertation.
The third year is usually spent in Italy, and is entirely devoted to the doctoral dissertation, under the supervision of one or more members of the Faculty.
English is the official language of the programme activities and of the final dissertation.
