SAS4004 – Critical Literature Review in South Asia Studies
Course content
This reading course is designed for Master’s students within the programme option South Asian Culture and Society.
The course will consist of two parts:
(1) In consultation with a course teacher, you will compile your own reading list and write a term paper on a subject area related to the topic of your master dissertation. The aim is to learn to read and write academic literature. There will be individual and group sittings/supervision sessions. The choice of literature should provide a good general basis of information on the topic and its wider significance (including theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches). Basic introductions and textbooks cannot be included. The reading list should amount to around 1,000 pages.
If your master dissertation topic is closely related to lower level courses, the reading list must be more advanced (representing in-depth theoretical or thematic study). The reading list cannot include literature that has been used at earlier levels.
The reading list must be approved by the course teacher.
(2) Project description
Through the course we will talk about how to write, how to search for relevant literature, which method and what consequences. You will through the course actively formulate a topic and research question for your master dissertation. You will write a short term paper, outlining the topic, theoretical background, and methodology of the topic of your master thesis. This term paper should be no more than 5-6 pages plus a short annotated bibliography.
Learning outcome
Participants learn to:
- Navigate a specialised academic field and identify key readings and debates
- Critically read and analyse research literature and formulate an interpretation of the issues and arguments presented in the literature
- Summarise and present a research debate in an independent and reflective manner
- Formulate a research question tied to theoretical literature and method
- Work independently under supervision
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.
Teaching
Teaching will be mostly individual supervision and some joint classes. A detailed plan for the semester will be made at the first meeting. There will be at least five individual meetings and four joint classes.
Compulsory activities:
- A draft of your project description
- A draft of your term paper and reading list
The compulsory activity is only valid for one semester.
Valid absence
If you have valid absence from the compulsory activity, you must submit an application and hand in documentation.
This is how you apply for a valid absence from compulsory activity.
Examination
Portfolio. The portfolio consists of two parts:
- A project description for your MA thesis (5 pages)
- A term paper including a reading list (6-8 pages)
Detailed information on the term paper will be given by the course teacher at the start of the semester.
The compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.
Previous exams and censor guidelines.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
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.