Specialized Master's Topic 1: Area of Specialization related to the Master's Thesis

The aim of this course is to help students choose a topic for their master's thesis and find a supervisor(s) at the end of the semester. The focus of the course is to develop a project outline as a starting point for the master's thesis. The project outline should have a clear thesis and several work hypotheses is recommended. The student is asked to describe their method(s), source materials and other materials. The projects outline shall include a documentation of relevant literature and a draft for bibliography. Also, the student should present a plan for their work with the thesis.

Knowledge:

The candidate has:

• an understanding of basic ethical standards of research and scientific requirements
• acquired knowledge of bibliographic study, source review and source criticism for their master's thesis and the specific field of the master's thesis
• recognition and knowledge of the characteristics of an academic text
• knowledge of the requirements of academic publishing

Skills:

The candidate:

• can design an independent research project and outline consequences and hypotheses
• can examine and consider methodological problems in relation to their research
• can predispose a research project
• has knowledge of bibliographic techniques
• can prepare and present a project outline
• can interpret research plans and drafts

Seminars. Individual supervision. Course requirements: 1-2 seminar presentations/activities. Approved obligatory assignment is valid for 2 semesters (the semester in which the approval is given, plus the following semester).

Students at the master's program in Comparative Studies in Literature or in Scandinavian Studies, who study full time (any delays must be discussed with the department) should have their draft approved by the end of the first semester of study. An approved project outline is necessary to continue the work with the master's thesis.

Students at MA in Scandinavian Language and Literature Studies (MNORD) and Language Studies with Teacher Education (MLSPRÅK), specialization in Norwegian, must take the course in the fall semester (first semester (MNORD) and seventh semester (MLSPRÅK)).