MAS4090 – Master's Thesis in Nordic Viking and Medieval Culture
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The theme of the master's thesis in Nordic Viking and Medieval Studies is chosen in collaboration with, and must be approved by, the thesis supervisor. The thesis must represent a piece of independent research work and must be an interdisciplinary study within the field of Viking and/or medieval studies. The emphasis may be placed on one or more of the following disciplines: history, arthistory, history of religion, archaeology, philology, or cultural history. The thesis will comprise between 70 to 100 pages of approximately 2,300 keystrokes, excluding spaces, per page.
The course is an obligatory part of the master's program and must be taken during all of the four semesters.
Learning outcome
The objective of the master’s thesis course is to train students in argumentative, source-critical and problem-orientated research and to acquaint them with various theoretical and methodological research approaches. Through conducting independent research, students will learn how knowledge is created and how to assert their own expertise. The writing of the thesis itself will strengthen students’ ability to write good prose and to structure a written composition.
Admission
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.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Admission to the Master programme Nordic Viking and Medieval Culture
A requirement for submitting the master’s thesis is a completion of the series of taught courses (60 credits) according to the structuring of the programme.
Recommended previous knowledge
This course builds on previous knowledge equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Western-European Medieval Studies or another bachelor’s degree majoring within a discipline covering the Viking or Nordic Medieval period.
Teaching
Supervision in connection with writing the master's thesis is obligatory.
In order to be assigned a supervisor, students must agree to and sign a supervision agreement for masters students enrolled in the Department. The Department appoints a supervisor and the supervision agreement will be sent to the student by the student advisor.
Each student is entitled to up to 15 hours of supervision
Students must enroll for the lectures/seminars in MAS4090 every semester, and must register for the exam in the semester in which they plan to submit their master’s thesis. The lectures/seminars are divided into two groups; one for first-year students, and the second for second-year students. The content of the lectures/seminars is determined by the course leader.
Examination
The master's thesis should be submitted during the last semester after all other courses have been completed.
Guidelines on format and structure can be found here.
The master's thesis may be written in English or Norwegian and will be graded on the basis of an alphabetical grading system (A-F). The thesis is assessed and graded by a subject teacher and an external sensor. Before the final grading there will be an oral examination of approximately one hour – a discussion between the student and two examiners about the thesis. The supervisor will not be a member of this panel; at least one of the examiners will be external. The final grade will be given after this oral examination.
It is mandatory to submit the thesis in full in DUO. You can read more about how to submit your thesis here.
The following form must me filled out and handed in together with the thesis.
See Master's thesis at ILN for information regarding formal requirements, supervisor, submission of thesis, grading, and more.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Explanations and appeals
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Other
Changes may occur.