Why is a PhD course studied by consultation? And how is the study by consultation done?
In other places such a course might be called &quot;independent study&quot; and involves study with guidance by a professor. Normally there would be readings and some exercises or writings with periodic meetings with the professor. Sometimes the &quot;meetings&quot; are in seminar with a few students.
The usual reasons for such courses is that there is low demand for them and if they are assigned to faculty as part of normal load, then other courses with more demand will be harder to cover. Lecturing to one or two students is a poor use of faculty time, especially for experienced students who should be expected to be able to read and find supplementary resources.
Sometimes such &quot;courses&quot; are also given to be able to offer very esoteric subject teaching. Again, these might be seminars rather than individual &quot;consultations&quot;.
For faculty organizational purposes, a faculty member might get &quot;credit&quot; for part of the teaching load but less than that of a full course.