SVF-3023 | UiT

Type of course

The course is compulsory for (and restricted to) students of the Master's degree programme in Peace and Conflict Transformation (MPCT).

Course overlap

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

SVF-3023 Specialisation with methodology 10 stp

Course content

The course offers a practical guide and a coherent framework for students to engage with the research process throughout their studies. It addresses the key components of a research design and how to write a persuasive and realistic proposal, as well as the ethical and security issues in field settings. It helps students to build the confidence and independence required during the proposal and thesis writing phases, as well as a clear grasp of the theoretical, methodological and practical issues underlying the chosen research projects in peace and conflict studies.

Objectives of the course

Students who have successfully completed the course should have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

Have an understanding of the principles and practice of social research
Have an understanding of the philosophical debates underlying research methods and practices in peace and conflict studies

Analytical understanding:

Have the ability to design and carry out a self-selected and a realistic research project in peace and conflict studies
Have the ability to write a master's project proposal that accounts for the methodological and theoretical frameworks
Have the ability to sort out the practicalities involved in planning research on sensitive issues and doing fieldwork overseas

Skills and competences:

Capable of applying basic research tools to design a master's project that involves the use of diverse data sources
Capable of managing the ethical and security issues associated with field settings
Develop the confidence to present a sample of one's work at seminars and other academic gatherings
Capable of reading a text critically and giving comments
Recognise the opportunities for feedback from fellow students and a thesis supervisor
Capable of taking responsibility for one's own learning by working independently towards the realisation of the course objectives

Language of instruction and examination

All lectures, discussions, readings, assignments and the final exam shall be in English

Teaching methods

A mix of lectures and seminars according to a detailed plan, including 6 hours in semester 2 and 20 hours in semester 3.

The learning outcomes can only be achieved through active student participation. Students are thus expected to read and prepare before every lecture and/or seminar session.

In semester two (spring), there will be three compulsory lectures to create a common platform for project related discussions and work. These lecture themes will involve (i) principles of social research, (ii) how to write a research proposal, and (iii) research ethics and security. There will also be seminars and individual tutorials to help students clarify and organize their project ideas.

During semester three, students will present aspects of their research paper at Project Seminar sessions. These seminars will give students an opportunity to jointly explore issues, discuss challenges associated with the research process and share ideas on each other's research paper.

Towards the end of semester one, there will be information meetings and individual tutorials on the academic and practical requirements of the course. These sessions will focus on how to sort out research topics and ideas, and then write a proposal, which is a compulsory requirement in semester two.

The course is to be evaluated by the SSL forum each semester the course is offered as well as in an anonymous online evaluation every second time the course is offered.

Assessment

Semester Two:

The student has to submit a "project proposal" of max 4000 words (approx. 10 pages) by 30th of April. The project proposal must be approved before the student leaves for data collection.

Semester Two: Three compulsory lectures, namely, (i) the principles of social research, (ii) how to write a research proposal, and (iii) research ethics and security.

The project proposal will be evaluated on the basis of approved / not-approved by the individual supervisor.

If the project proposal is not-approved, the student will have to work further on the proposal and re-submit it within two weeks.

Semester Three:

In the third semester, the student will submit a research paper of about 4000 words (approx. 10 pages) and a list of self-selected readings, i.e. after the Project Seminar sessions. The student will select the research paper's topic or focus in consultation with his/her supervisor.

The research paper must address theoretical or methodological issues that could later form the basis of a chapter in the student's thesis. That is, the research paper should be planned as an independent work for assessment, and then adapted to fit into the overall scope and structure of the master's thesis. A project proposal can neither be submitted as a research paper nor presented at the Project Seminar sessions. The research paper will be graded Pass / Fail.

A minimum of 75% seminar attendance is a prerequisite for submitting the research paper in semester three. The course is open for re-sit examination early in the following spring semester.

There is an opening for submission of the home examination by the end of January the following semester..

spring 2012 SVF-3023 Project seminar - 10 ECTS