MES4040 – Master's thesis Design and Project Description
Course description
Course content
In MES4040, students design, plan, and implement the first stages of their MA thesis projects. Over the course of the semester, students write their project proposals. The proposal includes a problem formulation and research hypothesis, a separate theoretical and/or analytical approach, a methodological plan, and a timeline. In addition, students develop their secondary literature lists, emphasizing theoretical perspectives directly relevant to the research topic outlined in the project proposals. Both the project proposals and the secondary literature lists will provide a solid foundation for the MA thesis that students write in their second year of study. The course also includes a two-day overnight seminar with the instructor and other potential thesis advisors from the Middle East Studies program. At the overnight seminar, held early in the semester, students formulate their research proposals and receive feedback from their peers. More details will be provided by the course instructor on the first day of class.??
Learning outcome
Participants who successfully complete the course will be able to:?
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formulate a research hypothesis and make it operational?
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design a methodological scheme?
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identify and apply relevant theory for the research project?
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write and refine a formal project description??
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provide peer review on their colleagues’ project descriptions??
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identify and review secondary literature relevant to the research project?
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
- 5 credits overlap with MES4000 – Theory, Methodology and Project Description in Middle East- and South Asia Studies.
Teaching
The teaching is given as lectures/seminars. The students are expected to participate actively with presentations and contributions during the seminars.?
In the beginning of the semester?there will be a 2-day seminar off campus. More information will be given in class.??
Compulsory activity:?
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Presentation of a draft of the project description.?
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Comment on other students’ project descriptions.?
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Participation in a 2-day seminar off campus.?
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 2 following spring 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
Term paper
The term paper will include the project description and secondary literature review.
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.