Master's Thesis in Religious Studies

The master's thesis is an independent academic work of moderate proportions. The theme is chosen in collaboration with a supervisor. The master's thesis demands independence, a well-developed critical sense, and is a first taste of methodical, academic training. Thesis subjects outside one of the professors' primary fields of expertise will only be approved in exceptional cases.

According to the course curriculum, a candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome (defined as knowledge, skills and general comptences)

Knowledge

The candidate has attained

• knowledge of how a research project in religious studies is planned and carried out
• knowledge of how a research project in religious studies is presented literary
• knowledge of the formulation of research questions for a research project dealing with religion
• knowledge of theoretical approaches, philosophy of science and various methods and materials
• knowledge of the ethical demands on research in religious studies

Skills

The candidate has acquired skills to

• plan and carry out a project in religious studies
• give an academic, written account of a research project in religious studies
• create, adapt and formulate a clear research question for research in religious studies
• systematically discuss all sides to relevant research in religious studies
• apply ethical criteria and assess the consequences for research in religious studies

General competences

The candidate can

• work independently in a project of longer duration

During the first 10 weeks of the third semester a written assignment counting 6-8000 words must be submitted. The theme will be related to the master's thesis e.g., a research survey and thesis statement, as a description of materials collected, or as tools for analysis. This assignment must be approved by the tutor before the master's thesis may be submitted for assessment.

Work on the master's thesis will be tied to continual master seminars. At these seminars portions of the thesis are presented and discussed among the other graduate students, the tutor, as well as several other teachers. Presentation in the seminar is obligatory.

Master’s students at the Faculty of Humanities are required to acquaint themselves with the content of the webpage on the master’s thesis, which outlines the rights and obligations of the student, the supervisor, and the department in relation to the master's thesis. The webpage also provides information on the supervision hours allocated to the master’s thesis. See the following link for more informaton: Master's thesis