General provisions

The course is included in the Master's Programme in English.

Entry requirements

60 credits at second-cycle level including 30 credits in English as the main field of studies.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course students will be able to

• independently formulate and research a problem of relevance to English language and linguistics;
• independently choose and justify a theoretical framework appropriate to the research question(s);
• with a high degree of independence gather complex material of relevance to the research question;
• demonstrate the ability to incorporate criticism and comments in such a way that the quality of the degree project is improved;
• demonstrate good knowledge of formal conventions in academic writing;
• with a high degree of independence, write and defend an academic degree project in English.

Content

Students who aim to complete the two-year Master's degree (120 credits) must satisfactorily complete the 30-credit degree project. At the beginning of the term, students discuss their topic with a supervisor. The supervisor will give feedback on the selected topic and the methodology appropriate for an empirical linguistic investigation. Individual supervision of the degree project will continue throughout the term. Students will be expected to participate actively in work-in-progress (WIP) seminars. The final paper, which evidences a high degree of analytical awareness and an advanced level of proficiency, and which consists of approximately 25 to 35 pages of text (with 1.5 spacing, equivalent to 10 000 to 13 000 words), will be examined and discussed in a final seminar.

Instruction

Group sessions and/or individual supervision. All teaching materials are in English. Supervision is given during the semester the student is registered for the first time and to some extent during the immediately following semester. No further supervision may be expected thereafter.

Assessment

Assessment is based both on continuous assessment and on the quality of the exam project. 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.

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.

Transitional provisions

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