spring 2012 SVF-3904 Master's Thesis in Indigenous Studies - 60 ECTS

Type of course

The course is mandatory for and restricted to students admitted to Master's in Indigenous Studies (MIS)

Admission requirements

Students must have passed the course SVF-3026.

Obligatory prerequisites

SVF-3026 Methodologies and methods in indigenous studies

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-3902 Master's Thesis in Indigenous Studies 50 stp

Course content

The master's thesis provides the students with experience of collecting and analysing their own material and presenting it in a coherent written and oral form. The thesis will manifest the student's ability to reflect and write independently on indigenous related issues, drawing broadly on the courses and seminars offered in the course of the MIS-programme

Students are expected to write the thesis during the third and fourth semesters, but the process will begin in the first and second semesters with the development of the project idea.

The Master's thesis provides an opportunity for in-depth studies of a chosen field. The topic of the thesis is chosen on the basis of the interests of the student and of issues relevant to indigenous studies.

The collection of data is included in the course and can be carried out through fieldwork, or through the collection of archive materials, secondary data or literature studies. Data collection related to the master thesis is recommended done in the period between May 15th and September 1st.

After the main data collection period, the student shall write a report on the work so far (max. 3500 words, 10-15 pages). The report is expected to give an outline of the setting studied and a discussion of the methodological challenges met and some findings. The deadline for the report is October 15 in the third semester.

Depending on the character of the topic of the thesis, the data collection and the field work, specific concern with ethical issues may be necessary. This pertains particularly to

- protecting the confidentiality and safety of respondents

- subject consent

- political issues and positioning


Objectives of the course

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

Knowledge:

  • Have the ability to develop and carry out a research project with a social scientific approach

Analytical understanding:

  • Develop relevant and realistic research questions in research in general and on indigenous topics in particular
  • Give literature review regarding the individual topic
  • Finding representative data
  • Collecting and analysing their own material
  • Presenting their research in a coherent written and oral form
  • Be able to discuss and write about methodological challenges of the individual project
  • Capable of structuring and writing an academic multidisciplinary thesis

Skills and competences

  • Be able to assess academic texts presented by others
  • Capable of presenting critical comments on texts
  • Capable of reading a big amount of text, combining it with data collected and writing an academic thesis answering relevant research questions


Language of instruction and examination

All lectures, readings, course assignments and the final exam are in English

Teaching methods

Seminars and individual tutoring. Individual supervision is given in accordance with the contract signed between student and supervisor.

The learning outcomes can only be achieved through active student participation, and it is expected that the students are well prepared for each teaching unit and supervision session.

The course is to be continuously evaluated by an appointed reference group as well as in an anonymous online evaluation every semester when teaching is offered.


Assessment

Coursework requirements:

Attendance at 80 % of all seminars and lectures offered in third and fourth semesters are mandatory.

It is possible to apply for exemption from 80 % attendance at the fourth semester seminars. Absence will be considered after application and recommendation from the supervisor.

During the third semester, a work in progress report (max. 3500 words, 10-15 pages), an oral presentation in class of the report. A revised version of the second semester thesis outline should also be considered together with the progress report. In the fourth semester, students are expected to present a written thesis chapter and are given the opportunity to practice how to respond and comment on an academic text presented by others.

The deadline for submitting the work in progress report is October 15 in the third semester.

The thesis manuscript may not deviate more than 10 % from the prescribed 60-80 pages.

The thesis must be submitted by May 15th or November 1st. The oral examination will be held 2-3 weeks after submission of the thesis.


Recommended reading/syllabus

Individual bibliography for the thesis.

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  • About the course
  • Campus: |
  • ECTS: 60
  • Course code: SVF-3904