MES4035 – Methods in Middle East Studies: History, Fieldwork, Literature, Linguistics
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course provides students with basic training in relevant research methodologies. The methodologies covered include textual analysis, coding for content, historical methods, fieldwork, and literary analysis. Students also complete a mandatory Canvas course on data management.?
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you will be able to:?
-
use various?methods of data collection and analysis.??
-
critically assess academic work through exposure to specific research methodological approaches.??
-
relate and apply methodology and theory, with concrete examples.??
-
identify the background and rationale for using the methodologies.?
-
use various types of data in different media formats.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
This course is not available for single course students.
This course is only available for students enrolled in the programme Asia and Middle East studies, programme option Middle East Studies and South Asian Culture and Society.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with MES4000 – Theory, Methodology and Project Description in Middle East- and South Asia Studies.
Teaching
The teaching is given as 14 lectures/seminars. The students are expected to participate actively with presentations and contributions during the seminars.?
The seminars include the following modules:?
-
Historical Methods (3 seminars)??
-
Fieldwork (3 seminars)?
-
Textual Analysis (3 seminars)?
-
Literary Analysis (3 seminars)?
-
Coding for Content (1seminar)???
Compulsory activity:?
-
Mandatory attendance of at least: 11 out of 14 seminars.? ?
-
Submission of four drafts total, one for each of the following modules: ?
-
historical methods?
-
fieldwork?
-
textual analysis?
-
literary analysis?
-
Compulsory E-learning course in the protection of personal data (GDPR) that is available on Canvas?
All compulsory activities must be approved to qualify for the exam. It is your responsibility to verify that you have obtained approval for all compulsory activities.?
The approved compulsory activity remains valid for the two following autumn semesters in which the course is offered. However, exceptions may arise if the course undergoes changes in its assessment format, teaching, or other significant modifications.?
Absence from compulsory activities:?
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.?
More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:?
Access to teaching;
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.?
Examination
Portfolio exam.
The exam consists of a portfolio consisting of?four submissions discussing methodological approaches.
The default length for each submission is approximately 1500 words, excluding bibliography, footnotes, and supplementary materials.
More information about the submissions will be shared over the course of the semester.?
Detailed information regarding the exam format will be announced on Canvas.?
You must submit the exam in Inspera - see guides for digital exams.?
You are personally responsible for familiarizing yourself with the requirements and deadlines for the exam.?
All compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.?
You can find more information about the exam on the semester page of the course.
Language of examination
Assignment specifications are given in English. Students may write their submissions in English, Norwegian, Danish or Swedish.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.