MES4035 – Methods in Middle East Studies: History, Fieldwork, Literature, Linguistics
Course description
Course content
MES4035 provides students with basic training in three methodologies of their choice, to be used in the master’s thesis. The methodologies include discourse analysis (including coding for content), historical methods, fieldwork methods, linguistic methods, and literature studies methods. The course also includes mandatory seminars on approaching texts critically (i.e. hermeneutics) for all students.??
Learning outcome
The participants will learn:?
three methodologies of their choice?
the background and rationale for using the methodologies?
the relation between methodology and theory, with concrete examples?
how to use the methodologies they choose in their own master’s theses??
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 12 lectures/seminars. The students are expected to participate actively with presentations and contributions during the seminars.?
Students choose three of the following methodologies:?
discourse analysis (including coding for content)??
historical methods??
fieldwork methods??
linguistic methods?
literature studies methods?
Compulsory activity:?
Presentation of methodological approaches to specific problems, based on assignments given in class?
Comment on other students’ presentations?
Compulsory E-learning course in the protection of personal data (GDPR). The course will be given in 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.?
Absence from compulsory activities:?Here you will find information about compulsory activities at the Department of Culture, Religion, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
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:?
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.?
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
The exam consists of three submissions discussing methodological approaches, and the in-class presentations are to be drafts of these submissions.??
Each paper should be at least 1,500 words long. The references should be to relevant area studies and theoretical and methodological sources.?
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
- 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.