Practical, Ecumenical Theology and Theological Ethics

Welcome to the doctoral studies page. This programme can be studied with a specialization in Practical Theology, Ecumenical Theology, or Theological Ethics.

The programme guarantor and Chair of the Subject Area Board is Prof. Ivana Noble, Ph.D.

If you are interested in applying for this programme, please click here.

Back to the general page for current doctoral students

Subject Area Board

• Prof. Ivana Noble, PhD, Chair (PTF CU)

• Assoc. Prof. ThLic. Mgr. Denisa Červenková, Th.D. (CTF CU)

• Assoc. Prof. Petr Gallus, PhD (PTF CU) Assoc. Prof. Jindřich Halama, Dr. (PTF CU)

• Assoc. Prof. Michal Kaplánek, Th.D. (Faculty of Education, Masaryk University, Brno)

• Assoc. Prof. Tabita Landová, PhD (PTF CU)

• Assoc. Prof. PhDr. Libor Ovečka, Dr. (CTF CU)

• Assoc. Prof. Robert Svatoň, PhD (Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology, Palacký University Olomouc)

Practical Theology

General Requirements for Doctoral Studies in Practical Theology:

In cooperation with the supervisor, the doctoral student prepares an Individual Study Plan (ISP), which must include:

1. A dissertation project and a timetable for its completion.

2. Participation in the annual doctoral seminar.

3. One semester-long study stay abroad or several shorter international research stays.

4. Required examinations:

   • An examination in an additional major world language (one language is expected and examined during the admission procedure), usually German, French, or English, although another language may be approved depending on the student's previous knowledge and the nature of the dissertation project.

   • Three partial examinations in related disciplines, selected by the doctoral student in consultation with the supervisor and in accordance with the dissertation topic.

5. Publication of three journal articles, including at least one in a foreign-language journal, in accordance with the Dean's Directive:

   "The articles must present the results of the doctoral research, and at least one of them must be directly related to the dissertation topic. The principal thesis of the dissertation must be published or accepted for publication."

6. Ongoing submission of partial papers forming the basis of dissertation chapters (annually, according to agreement with the supervisor).

Partial and State Doctoral Examination in Practical Theology:

Prior to the examination, the doctoral student submits a bibliography of the literature studied and a paper of approximately ten pages on a topic agreed upon with the examiner. The examination takes the form of a discussion based on the submitted paper.

The examination usually focuses on one of the following areas of Practical Theology:

• Practical Ecclesiology

• Homiletics

• Liturgics

• Poimenics (Pastoral Theology)

• Catechetics

• Diaconics

Ecumenical Theology

General Requirements for Doctoral Studies in Ecumenical Theology:

In cooperation with the supervisor, the doctoral student prepares an Individual Study Plan (ISP), which must include:

1. A dissertation project and a timetable for its completion.

2. Participation in the annual doctoral seminar.

3. One semester-long study stay abroad or several shorter international research stays.

4. Required examinations:

   • An examination in an additional major world language (one language is expected and examined during the admission procedure), usually German, French, or English, although another language may be approved depending on the student's previous knowledge and the nature of the dissertation project.

   • Three partial examinations in related disciplines, selected by the doctoral student in consultation with the supervisor and in accordance with the dissertation topic.

5. Publication of three journal articles, including at least one in a foreign-language journal, in accordance with the Dean's Directive:

   "The articles must present the results of the doctoral research, and at least one of them must be directly related to the dissertation topic. The principal thesis of the dissertation must be published or accepted for publication."

6. Ongoing submission of partial papers forming the basis of dissertation chapters (annually, according to agreement with the supervisor).

Partial Examination in Ecumenical Theology:

The partial examination in Ecumenical Theology may focus on:

• Comparative Theology

• Comparative Christian Spirituality

• Missiology and Contextual Theology

• Intercultural Theology

• World Christianity (with a focus on non-European theologies)

• Ecumenism

The subject examination:

The subject examination may cover three specializations: Ecumenical Theology, Ecumenical Spirituality, and Missiology.

The examination consists of two parts. The first part assesses knowledge of the literature relevant to the chosen specialization. The second part is devoted to an in-depth exploration of a selected topic. The candidate agrees in advance with the examiner on the required literature for both parts of the examination. The examination may be based on a written paper prepared for discussion or may take the form of an oral examination without a written text.

Theological Ethics

Doctoral studies in Theological Ethics form part of the doctoral programme Practical and Ecumenical Theology and Theological Ethics (PETTE). The programme guarantor and Chair of the Subject Area Board is Prof. Ivana Noble, PhD.

Applicants interested in doctoral studies in ethics are encouraged to contact their prospective supervisor before applying and to prepare their dissertation project in consultation with, and according to the guidance of, that supervisor.

General Requirements for Doctoral Studies in Theological Ethics

(with due regard to the valid Dean’s Directive No. 3/2013 and other related regulations)

In cooperation with the supervisor, the doctoral student prepares an Individual Study Plan (ISP), which must include:

1. A dissertation project and a timetable for its completion.

2. Participation in the annual doctoral seminar.

3. One semester-long study stay abroad or several shorter international research stays.

4. Required examinations:

   • An examination in an additional major world language, usually German or English, although another language may be approved depending on the student's previous knowledge and the nature of the dissertation project.

   • Three partial examinations in related disciplines, selected by the doctoral student in consultation with the supervisor and in accordance with the dissertation topic.

5. Publication of three journal articles, including at least one in a foreign-language journal, in accordance with the Dean’s Directive:

   "The articles must present the results of the doctoral research, and at least one of them must be directly related to the dissertation topic. The principal thesis of the dissertation must be published or accepted for publication."

6. Preparation of eight partial papers, each approximately ten pages in length, which, with regard to the dissertation project, should cover the following areas (the order is not binding):

   • Theological Ethics and the Bible

   • Theological Ethics in the Patristic and Scholastic Periods

   • Theological Ethics in the Reformation Period

   • Modern Theological Ethics

   • Christian Social Ethics

   • Christian Environmental Ethics

   • One completed dissertation chapter

   • An article intended for publication, or at least a substantially developed draft thereof

The Dean’s Directive further states: "The papers must demonstrate knowledge of relevant literature, the ability to address the topic in a methodologically sound manner, and the capacity to engage critically with differing scholarly approaches."