Syllabus for Economics C: Thesis Work

Learning outcomes

After having completed the course, the student is expected to be able to:

• Identify and phrase a question relating to economics.
• Choose and motivate a scientific method in relation to the question of the thesis.
• Structure his or her work and make conclusions based on own work and possible previous research.
• Apply basic economic theories on economic issues.
• Write a thesis in good Swedish or English.
• Orally and in writing evaluate other scientific works and come up with constructive points of view, as well as present his or her own work.

Content

The thesis work goes through a number of steps in accordance with a specified schedule. Initially, the students are to contact their supervisors, and then, in discussions with the supervisor, pick a concrete topic. After this, a short memo is to be handed in, containing the purpose of the thesis, an outline and the sources to be used.

A more or less complete manuscript is delivered to the Student Portal and is then presented at a seminar after roughly two months’ work. This manuscript is regarded as a work in progress and does not have to be complete. It should, however, make up about ¾ of the final thesis. The manuscript may not be presented if the supervisor deems it to be significantly inadequate.

The manuscripts are dealt with in a series of mandatory seminars, where each student is to defend his or her own work and critically examine the work of the other students. Each student is then – based on the seminar discussions and the comments made by the supervisor – allowed to finish his or her thesis. It is mandatory to participate in every single seminar.

Finally, the finished thesis is to be uploaded on the Student Portal by the end of the semester.

Instruction

The teaching portion consists of a planning seminar at the beginning of the semester and of a concluding series of seminars. Participation in these seminars is mandatory. Furthermore, a number of method seminars at the beginning of the semester, as well as individual supervision, are also included.

Assessment

The finished thesis is graded by the supervisor and a co-examiner. Aspects taken into consideration when grading include phrasing of the research question, structure of the outline, analysis, use of terminology and theories, use of data and language. Furthermore, the student is required to be active during the mandatory seminar sessions in order to receive a passing grade. The grades given are Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) or Fail (U).