CIVILIZATIONS OF ASIA AND AFRICA

Call for application 41th cycle

Bando ordinario

Educational goals and objectives

CURRICULUM ON EAST ASIA
The primary goal of the East Asia curriculum is to train experts in the study of Far Eastern civilizations in their various linguistic, literary, historical, political, historical-artistic, and philosophical-religious aspects. Scholars trained in this way will be able to achieve a high level of specialisation in their research activities, demonstrating the ability to use the sources available in the original language and adequately mastering the means of critical exposition. In the literary field, doctoral students will be able to conduct analyses of classical and modern literary works in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, starting with the textual and philological examination of one or more writings. As part of their training, candidates will be able to present their innovative research in an international context of meetings and conferences, in order to share and verify their results with scholars from other countries, both Western and Asian.

CURRICULUM IN ARABIC, IRANIAN AND ISLAMIC STUDIES
It aims at training scholars and professionals with expertise in disciplines related to the history, cultures and languages of the countries belonging to the space of the historical development of Islam – as a religion as well as an institutional and cultural system –, with the inclusion of its religious, ethnical and linguistic minorities. It is oriented in particular towards linguistic, literary and historical research projects in the domain of Arabic and Iranian studies; however, it welcomes research and specializations tied to competence in other Islamic languages (Turkish, Urdu, Berber; Bambara, etc.). The curriculum provides a multidisciplinary approach: linguistic, philological and literary on the one hand, historical and socio- anthropological on the other hand. It supports PhD students’ international contacts, through collaboration and co-tutoring agreements with foreign universities and research centres.

CURRICULUM ON THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT AND CENTRAL ASIA
The course aims to train experts in the history and culture of the Indian Subcontinent and Central Asia. Three different profiles, based on a shared background, are offered: a) Language & culture (Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Sanskrit, ancient Iranian languages, in relation to philosophical, religious and philological disciplines); b) History (Ancient history, Modern and Contemporary history); c) Archaeology & Art History. Proficiency in at least one of the languages specified above is considered essential for all profiles. Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required, along with a working understanding of at least one other language, such as French or German. Proficiency in the Russian language is necessary for conducting research in the West Central Asia region. There are scheduled seminars on the region's history and culture in addition to a study abroad experience at accredited research institutions.

Specifiche economiche

Sapienza Scholarships	Other Scolarships	Departments	Without scholarship
7	1	0	2

Themes, curriculum and specific competence

Borse ENTI TERZI, PARTENARIATI ESTESI, ECCELLENZA

Tematica: Sapienza Bridge Project: Toward New Horizons for Korean Studies
Ente finanziatore: ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI STUDI ORIENTALI
Competenze richieste: nessuna competenza specifica richiesta
- Sapienza Bridge Project: Toward New Horizons for Korean Studies
Founded by: ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI STUDI ORIENTALI
Required skills: no specific skill required

Admission Procedure

Qualifications assessment	The evaluation of the qualifications is made by the examination committee and does NOT require the participation of the candidates. The examination committee can assign up to a maximum of 60 points for the qualifications. Only the candidates who have achieved at least 40 points in the evaluation of qualifications are admitted to the subsequent tests. For the assessment of qualifications, foreign candidates can submit the application and all materials in English.

Linguistic competences	Assessment of linguistic competences (in Oriental and/or Western languages) considered indispensable for the purposes of the proposed research project. The test consists of an interview in the languages related to the project, possibly with reading and analysis of texts in the original language. In the assessment of linguistic competences the examination committee can assign up to a maximum of 20 points. There is NO minimum mark for admission to the oral exam.
language	LINGUA DELL'AUTORE O DEL PERIODO DEL PROGETTO INGLESE

Oral interview	Discussion of the research project and the verification of historical, literary, linguistic, artistic, philosophical or historico-religious knowledge related to the project. The examination committee can assign up to a maximum of 40 points. The oral examination may cover more than one day in case the candidates are particularly numerous. The oral test is considered passed if an overall score of at least 40/60 is achieved on the Linguistic competences test.
language	INGLESE ITALIANO

contacts and info

idamaria.matera@uniroma1.it

Curriculum studiorum

Graduation date and grade of the Master's degree
detailed list of exams including completion dates and scores of Masters's degree
Graduation date and grade of the Bachelor’s degree
detailed list of exams including completion dates and scores of Bachelor's degree
History of Scholarships, Research Grants (or similar)
Certificates of Foreign Languages
Certificates of participation in post-graduate university courses
certificates of Participation in research groups
certificates of Participation in internships
Other University Awards/Degrees (e.g.: awards in competition, second degree)
Computer skills

Required documentation

§ degree thesis abstract

mandatory
The abstract (in Italian or English) of the master/specialist/four-year system degree thesis must be accompanied by the thesis' table of contents. The thesis abstract must not exceed 8,000 characters (including the table of contents and spaces between words). Also the candidates who have not yet discussed the thesis by the deadline of the call are required to submit an abstract with a table of contents (albeit provisional)., the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025

§ research project

mandatory
The length of the research project (in Italian or English) must not be less than 10,000 characters and must not exceed 15,000 characters (NOT WORDS), including the spaces between words. The section relating to the bibliography is not included in the calculation of maximum 15,000 characters and can therefore be additional to this limit. The project must be structured as follows:
1. Title of the project
2. Relevant discipline(s) and state of the art 3. Research question(s)
4. Theoretical and methodological basis
5. Planned work steps
6. Expected results and relevance
7. Bibliography, the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025

§ first letter of introduction (by a teacher)

mandatory, the letter must be uploaded by the candidate
The reference letter (in Italian or English) must contain the sender's handwritten signature (digital signature is admitted), the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025

§ second letter of introduction (by a teacher)

§ List of publications

optional, the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025

§ description of previous research experience

optional
Indicate clearly the period, the type of research, and the context in which the previous research experience(s) took place., the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025

§ letter of motivation (by the candidate)

optional
The candidate may explain his/her motivations and expectations in applying for admission to the Ph.D. course in Asian and African Civilisations at the University of Rome Sapienza., the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025

§ publications (a single pdf for each publication)

optional
Only publications uploaded on the system will be considered. The pdf must contain editorial data. In the case of publications that have not yet been published, the publisher's declaration of acceptance must be attached to the pdf file of the text (author's layout or pre-print)., the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025

§ Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum

mandatory
The Curriculum Vitae can be written in Italian or English, preferably in the European format., the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025

Language Skills

the candidate must know the following languages

ENGLISH

LINGUA/E NECESSARIA/E ALLO SVOLGIMENTO DEL PROGETTO

Exam Schedule

Qualifications assessment

day	26/06/2025
notes	none
publication on notice board	NO
publication on the web site	Yes
web site	https://phd.uniroma1.it/web/CIVILTÀ-DELL’ASIA-E-DELL’AFRICA_nD3555.aspx
date of publication	10/07/2025
contacts	idamaria.matera@uniroma1.it

Altra tipologia (Linguistic competences)

day	21/07/2025
notes	none
time	09:00
classroom	da definire
address	Viale dello Scalo San Lorenzo 80, Roma
publication on notice board	NO
publication on the web site	Yes
web site	https://phd.uniroma1.it/web/CIVILT%C3%80-DELL%E2%80%99ASIA-E-DELL%E2%80%99AFRICA_nD3555.aspx
date of publication	21/07/2025
contacts	idamaria.matera@uniroma1.it

Oral interview

day	22/07/2025
notes	none
time	09:00
classroom	da definire
address	Viale dello Scalo San Lorenzo 80, Roma
publication on notice board	NO
publication on the web site	Yes
web site	https://phd.uniroma1.it/web/CIVILTÀ-DELL’ASIA-E-DELL’AFRICA_nD3555.aspx
date of publication	22/07/2025
contacts	idamaria.matera@uniroma1.it

Evaluation scale

Qualifications assessment

Valutazione titoli

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 60

Voto di laurea
Graduation mark

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5

Voto di laurea
Master degree

110 e lode 110 cum laude	5,0
110 110	4,0
109 -106 109-106	3,0
105 -102 105-102	2,0
99-101 99-101	1,0
<99 <99	0,0

Media degli esami - Gli studenti che discuteranno la tesi prima della data stabilita per l’inizio della valutazione dei titoli sono tenuti a comunicare via e-mail al/la Presidente della Commissione il voto di laurea conseguito, mentre per coloro che discuteranno la tesi dopo la data stabilita per la valutazione dei titoli, ma comunque prima del 31 ottobre 2025, la griglia precedente è sostituita dalla seguente media aritmetica:
Examinations' average score - Students who will complete their Master degree before the date set for the evaluation of qualifications are required to communicate the final degree marks to the President of the Committee by e-mail. For students who will complete their Master degree after the date set for the evaluation of qualifications, but in any case before October 31, 2025, the above grid is replaced by the following:

29 - 30	5,0
28 – 28.99	4,0
27 - 27.99	3,0
26 - 26.99	2,0
25 - 25.99	1,0
<25	0,0

Progetto di ricerca
Research Project

Punteggio massimo/max score: 40

Originalità del progetto proposto e profondità di analisi Novelty of the research proposal and depth of analysis	10,0
Conoscenza dello stato dell’arte Knowledge of the state of the art	10,0
Chiarezza e completezza dell’esposizione degli obiettivi, delle metodologie e dei potenziali risultati Clarity and completeness of the presentation of objectives, methodologies, and potential results	10,0
Pertinenza del progetto con gli obiettivi formativi del dottorato Relevance of the project to the educational objectives of the PhD programme	10,0

Curriculum vitae
Curriculum vitae

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5
Ulteriori elementi del curriculum che saranno ritenuti rilevanti ai fini della ricerca.
Further elements of the curriculum that are considered relevant to the proposed research project.

Pubblicazioni e esperienze di ricerca
Publications and research experiences

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5
Saranno valutate solo pubblicazioni caricate in PDF che risultino già pubblicate o accettate per la pubblicazione. In caso di pubblicazione accettata ma non ancora pubblicata è necessario allegare al pdf del testo (impaginazione dell’autore o pre-print) la dichiarazione dell’editore. Le pubblicazioni scientifiche saranno così valutate: - Articolo su rivista scientifica dotata di ISSN: fino a 2 punti; - Saggio in volume dotato di ISBN presso editori qualificati: fino a 2 punti; - Recensione in rivista scientifica dotata di ISSN: fino a 1 punto; - Monografia dotata di ISBN presso editori qualificati: fino a 5 punti. All’abstract, in italiano o inglese, della tesi magistrale/specialistica/quadriennale si assegnano da 0 a 2 punti.
Only the publications uploaded in PDF that have already been published or accepted for publication will be considered. In the case of publications accepted but not yet released, it is necessary to attach the publisher's declaration to the text in pdf (author’s layout or pre-print draft). Scientific publications will be evaluated as follows: - Article published in scientific journals provided with ISSN: max 2 points; - Essay or chapter in volume with ISBN published by a qualified publisher: max 2 points; - Review published in scientific journal provided with ISSN: max 1 point; - Monographic volume with ISBN published by a qualified publisher: max 5 points; Up to a maximum of 2 points can be assigned to the abstract, in Italian or in English, of the MA thesis.

Esperienze di studio
Learning experiences

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5
Scuole di alta formazione, corsi di specializzazione, master, summer schools, borse di studio.
Schools of advanced studies, specialization courses, masters, summer schools, scholarships.

Altra tipologia (Linguistic competences)

Altra tipologia

Competenze linguistiche
Linguistic competences

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 20

Competenze linguistiche
Language competences

Punteggio massimo/max score: 20
Prova di verifica delle competenze linguistiche (in lingue orientali e/o occidentali) ritenute indispensabili ai fini del progetto di ricerca proposto. La prova consiste in un colloquio nella/e lingua/e relativa/e al progetto, eventualmente con la lettura e analisi di testi in lingua originale. Nel valutare le competenze linguistiche la commissione giudicatrice dispone di 20 punti. NON è richiesto un voto minimo per accedere alla prova orale.
Assessment of linguistic competences (in Oriental and/or Western languages) considered indispensable for the purposes of the proposed research project. The test consists of an interview in the language(s) related to the project, possibly including the reading and analysis of texts in the original language. In the assessment of linguistic competences the examination committee can assign up to a maximum of 20 points. There is NO minimum mark for admission to the oral exam.

Oral interview

Prova orale

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 40

Discussione del progetto di ricerca
Research project discussion

Punteggio massimo/max score: 40
Discussione del progetto di ricerca proposto e verifica delle conoscenze storiche, letterarie, linguistiche, artistiche, filosofiche o storico-religiose relative al progetto.
Discussion of the proposed research project and verification of historical, literary, linguistic, artistic, philosophical or historical-religious knowledge related to the project.