The graduate school's curriculum is designed to cover a period of three academic years. After each term the number of mandatory courses and events decreases, while the opportunities for individual research and the writing of the dissertation increase. This structure particularly allows for the students' own field studies and guest research in later semesters.

The courses deepen and strengthen the methodological and theoretical competences necessary for the students' successful completion of the dissertation. They aim to convey both specialist knowledge and an overview of current debates in the graduate school's various thematic fields. Most are compact courses (workshops, master classes), with master classes being half- to all-day events. Workshops can extend to a whole week and vary in structure. They also build on the broader personal contributions made by the participating students.

The curriculum consists of the following:

• Participation in the graduate school doctoral colloquium. Its members are graduate school students and other GIGA Ph.D. researchers. This event takes place on a monthly basis and serves as an opportunity for the presentation of both new dissertation projects as well as the findings from ongoing research. Attendance is mandatory for all GIGA mentors, the participating professors from the University of Hamburg, and all doctoral students.
• The GIGA research colloquium is also open to Ph.D. students from the graduate school. Students are further encouraged to attend the advanced seminars at the participating faculties of the University of Hamburg and the IFSH.
• A workshop in methods for global and comparative area studies, a workshop dealing with conceptual and practical problems regarding the writing of a dissertation, and a workshop on field research. These courses are mandatory and are conducted by GIGA members and professors from the University of Hamburg.
• Workshops on quantitative and qualitative methods in economics and the social sciences. These are offered on a demand-driven basis in accordance with the dissertation topics and the methods selected. Students have the opportunity to discuss any methodological problems arising in their work; thus they are not limited to only being able to do so with their supervisors.
• Master classes on “New Approaches in IR Theory and Method”. These aim to discuss new theoretical and methodological approaches and exemplary case studies on international relations and the international political economy. The reading course is coordinated by GIGA staff members, and professors from the University of Hamburg. The master classes are conducted by guest researchers from overseas partner institutions. Attendance is mandatory for all Ph.D. students.
• Master classes and workshops on various aspects of “Regional Power Shifts and the New Global Order”. The courses are taught by guest researchers from international partner institutions, GIGA staff members, and professors from the University of Hamburg. Researchers from Asia, Africa and Latin America as well as from the Middle East are particularly involved in teaching these courses.
• Additionally, optional courses related to academic skills are offered: Academic Writing in English, Publishing in International, Peer-reviewed Journals.
• Students will have the possibility to work as a guest researcher at international partner institutions during their first to fifth terms. Field research may be conducted during the third and fourth terms.

1. Semester

"Skills" Seminar

13 April 2010: From Doctoral Students to Doctoral Students (Leslie Wehner, Alexander Stroh, Dennis Eucker)

This session will give you the opportunity to ask any question to current and former GIGA PhD students about the GIGA, about (student) life in Hamburg and (almost) anything else that comes to mind.

27 April 2010: Time Management (Maximilian Frei)

11 May 2010: Research Skills (Miriam Prys)

In this session, we will discuss some of the basic questions that arise at the beginning but also throughout the course of the PhD, such as “how to choose a good title”, how to structure a PhD, how to make most of supervision, how to organize your bibliography. Miriam will give a short input lecture on this, but you are also asked to prepare some questions that might be interesting for all of you.

25 May 2010: Presentation Techniques (Pamela Luckau – Com4Train)

Presenting your work is one of the central elements of working as a researcher, both within the informal settings of your peer group, but also at international conferences. This session will introduce you to some of the skills and techniques that are vital for getting your points across

8 June 2010: Comparative Area Studies (Mathias Basedau / Patrick Köllner both GIGA)

6 July 2010: How (and where) to get published (Dirk Nabers)

26 July 2010: Field Work / Interview Techniques (Christian Schmieder)

Master Classes

25 May 2010: Master Class with Prof Robert G. Patman (University of Otago)

2. Semester

Master Classes

11 October 2010: Master Class with Prof Jeffrey Legro (University of Virginia)

4 November 2010: Master Class with Prof Amitav Acharya (American University, Washington, D.C.)

8-12 November 2010: Master Class with Prof Xia Liping (Tongji University, Shanghai)