Syllabus for Media and Communication Studies B: Thesis

Decisions and guidelines

In the course, teaching in Swedish and English can be combined.

Learning outcomes

The course MCS B/Thesis aims at giving a basic exercise in scientific work. This is done through planning, conducting and reporting a small-scale research project in Media Studies, Communication Studies or Journalism Studies.

In terms of knowledge and understanding, the student is expected to be able to:

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge in a selected part of Media Studies, Communication Studies or Journalism Studies,
• show some familiarity with current research within the chosen field and topic of study,
• demonstrate basic knowledge of methodology within the selected field of Media Studies, Communication Studies or Journalism Studies.

With regard to competence and skills, the student is expected to be able to:

• identify and formulate (a) relevant research question(s) for the chosen field of study,
• plan and, with appropriate methods, carry out and report a small-scale research project within given time frames,
• present and discuss ones' own and others' research results, as well as the arguments underlying them, both in writing and orally.

In terms of judgement and approach, the student is expected to be able to:

• critically reflect on the choice of study objects, research problems, purpose and scientific method in one's own and others' research projects,
• explain how ethical issues have been addressed in the thesis and show awareness in how to deal with these ethical issues.

Content

In the course MCS B/Thesis, the student is given the opportunity to conduct an in-depth study of a chosen topic in the field of Media Studies, Communication Studies or Journalism Studies. The work results in an academic thesis. Planning, implementation, reporting and defence of the thesis are the essential parts of the course.

Instruction

The course is taught through lectures, seminars and group supervision. The thesis will also be presented and defended at a final thesis seminar.

Supervision is only guaranteed during the semester that the student is registered (the first time) in the course.

Assessment

Assessment is primarily based on the written thesis. The student's performance during the defence of his/her own thesis and the discussion of another student's thesis, are also taken into account.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator or a decision by the department's working group for study matters.