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English / Italiano |
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Doctoral Degree |
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In this page you can read a brief description of on my public defence, including some guidelines and practices of the University of Jyväskylä.
The Defence: On 16 February 2008 at about 12:00pm, the public defence of the PhD thesis "Promoting the European Union. Comparative analysis of EU communication strategies in Finland and in Italy" took place at Blomstedt hall, in Villa Rana. This is a very special place, since it is one of the oldest building at the University of Jyväskylä. I was told that at the University of Jyväskylä it is custom to wear the ceremonial gowns of the University during the defence. So, I, my opponent, Prof. Dr. Frank Thevissen, and my custodian, Prof. Dr. Marita Vos wore the university gowns for the public defence. The examination took about 2 1/2 hours. In the beginning of the public examination we (myself, custos and opponent) arrived into the hall according to a specific order (first the doctoral candidate, then the custos and then the opponent) while the audience remained standing up until we reached our seats. Usually, during the entry and exit the custos and the opponent hold their Doctor's hats in their left hand so that the lyre is facing forward. This did not happen because both prof. Marita Vos and prof. Frank Thevissen did not have it with them. When we all were seated, the custos introduced me as doctoral candidate, the title of my dissertation, as well as the opponent. Then the custos declared the public examination of the dissertation open. I started to deliver my lectio praecursoria (introductory lecture) standing, about 20 minutes long, by first addressing the custos, then the opponent and then the audience. My lectio praecursoria dealt with the main issues of my doctoral thesis, including results and implications for future research. After the lectio praecursoria, I asked the opponent to present his critical comments. The Opponent stood up and made a short statement, in which he dealt with issues such as the position and importance of the thesis within his field of study, and other general issues. After the statement we both (doctoral candidate and opponent) sit down. In the beginning of the actual public examination the opponent focused first on the methodological and general questions. The general examination was followed by a detailed examination. We discussed for about an hour and half about strengths and weaknesses of my work and implications of my findings for the EU. It was challenging but very interesting discussion. After the public examination the opponent made a concluding statement. I finally addressed to the audience and solicited those people present (so called extra opponents) who might have had some critical comments to step forward and ask for an address from the custodian. Luckly for me, nobody asked any further question. After this the custos closed the public examination. The three of us (doctoral candidate, the custos, and the opponent) left the hall in the same order we arrived in.
For more information about the procedure you can check the university webpage on doctoral defence at: http://www.jyu.fi/hallinto/viestinta/en/instructions/dissertation/dissertation
A moment to cheers-up: After the public examination we all went for some coffee and cake in a quite typical Finnish building (Lythy) just few steps from Villa Rana, the place where I defended my dissertation. It was only there that people could come and congratulate me. It felt as I was a real star, vow! The day was not ended yet, other speeches were to come.
Karonkka (post-doctoral party): It is practice to organize a post-doctoral party, as a traditional dinner reception, in the evening of the public examination, arranged by the doctoral candidate to honour the opponent. In this party generally one third is academics, another third family and the last third friends. Gentlemen usually wore white tie with white waistcoat but most of my guests wore dark suits. Ladies have a free choice of colour of their evening dresses. Generally if other doctors participate they should bring with them their doctor’s hat, and leave it on a special table reserved for doctor’s hats. My karonkka took place in a very characteristic old farm just outside the centre of Jyväskylä. The place (Vanha Korpela) is not an actual restaurant but it is rented for parties and ceremonies. It was very characteristic because it is an old wood house with a great old fashioned atmosphere. There is in fact an open fire and the interior is with old black logs. The dinner was a buffet style with typical Finnish delicacies combined with Italian wines. After the dinner, before coffee was served, I gave a thanking speech in which I expressed my gratitude particularly to the academics who have been involved in my study, my family and friends. It is custom that everybody mentioned in the doctoral candidate's speech are expected to reply, in the order in which they have been mentioned. The first to speak, after my speech, was the opponent. This speech part was the most involving part of the evening both for the time required and emotions produced.
Pictures and some videos of the speeches are available in this special blog created by friend Kaja: http://chiara-special.blogspot.com/
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Copyright © 2004-2010 by Chiara
Valentini
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