General provisions

The curriculum was adopted by the board of the Faculty of Languages on 2008-11-13 and takes effect as of 2009-07-01.

Entry requirements

30 credits within the Master's Programme in English

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course students will be able to

- formulate and delimit a research problem of relevance to scholarship in the students' chosen field

- choose and justify a theoretical framework appropriate to the research question

- independently gather material of relevance to the research question

- demonstrate the ability to engage with criticism and comments in such a way that the quality of the degree project is improved

- demonstrate knowledge of formal conventions of academic writing

- independently write and defend an academic degree project.

Content

This course discusses relevant academic methods in the prospective area for the individual degree project in English literature so that students are able to formulate a research problem. Students who intend to complete the Magister degree must clearly express their aims at the beginning of the relevant term so that an academic supervisor can be appointed. At the beginning of the term, students discuss their research topic with their supervisor. The supervisor will give feedback on the topic and methodology appropriate for this kind of topic. The module also develops students' skills in textual analysis and argumentation. The length of the degree project should be some 9000 words. The degree project should be presented and discussed at a final seminar.

Instruction

Group instruction and individual supervision.

Assessment

Students are examined in the form of continuous assessment as well as on the quality of the final degree project. Assessment of the degree project comprising some 9000 words is primarily based on the student's ability independently to delimit and develop a research question involving textual analysis and to present the ensuing results persuasively and, secondarily, on the form of the degree project in terms of formal criteria and correctness of language use. Each student must also complete a critical review of another student's work at a seminar. Grades are fail, pass, or pass with distinction. Work assigned the grade of pass with distinction must meet criteria of scholarship and linguistic expression associated with excellent work.

Course level in relation to degree requirements

To obtain a "magisterexamen" in English an additional 15 academic credits in the subject on advanced level are required. To obtain a Master's degree in English an additional 45 credits in the subject on advanced level are required, including a 30-credit degree project.

Other regulations

Admission to the Master's level requires the completion of 80 (old) credits or 120 academic credits of the type introduced July 1, 2007.

Transitional provisions

Please contact the student counsellor for transitional regulations in connection with changes in the curriculum.