HGO4040 – Individual reading list
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The individual reading list consists in the preparation of a self-selected syllabus of 700 pages approved by the supervisor and a take-home exam. The reading list relates to the topic chosen by the student for the master thesis and, for example, could constitute the building blocks for your theoretical framework. It is therefore recommended that you start working on the topic of your master’s thesis before selecting your individual reading list.
The reading list is to be approved by the student’s supervisor prior to the announcement of the take-home exam. It is a prerequisite that you have established contact with your thesis supervisor before you can enroll for the examination on the reading list you have selected.
Frequently asked questions about this course
Learning outcome
- On this course you must work independently to compile an individual reading list directed at what you intend to write about in your master’s thesis.
- Your supervisor can give you advice while you are compiling the final list, but you must select the literature yourself.
- You will acquire training in searching databases such as Oria, selecting literature that is considered relevant for your research project, and comparing various forms of literature in relation to the master’s thesis you will later write.
Admission to the course
This course is not available for single course students. Admission to the course is dependent on admission to the master’s degree programme in Human Geography.
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.
Recommended previous knowledge
HGO4011 – Philosophy and methodology of human geography and at least one course on theory.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with SGO4040 – Individual reading list (continued).
- 10 credits overlap with SGO341.
- 10 credits overlap with SGO342.
- 10 credits overlap with DEVG4040 – Individual Reading List (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with DEVG4050 – Individual Reading List (discontinued).
Teaching
- There is no regular teaching for this course, but the supervisor must approve the reading list well before the examination is distributed.
- To be able to sit the exam, students need to hand in an Agreement of Supervision signed by the thesis supervisor and themselves.
- You must deliver the approved reading list within the stated deadlines, normally two weeks prior to the examination. If you do not comply with this requirement, you will not be allowed to sit the examination. The completed and approved compulsory activity will be valid for the entire period the course is offered.
- The reading list must not include literature on which the student has based previous written assignments or which has been part of the student’s curriculum earlier. Frequently asked questions about this course.
- The reading list must be included at the end of your assignment.The grading commission receives both the examination paper and the reading list for information.
- On this course, supervision is given only on formulating the individual reading list. No supervision is given on writing the assignment, i.e. the answer paper.
Examination
The examination consists of a 14-day take home exam. The exam question is handed out at 10 am on the day of the exam and must be submitted 14 days later at 12 PM.
In the autumn semester the exam is offered early in the semester (October), while in the spring semester, exams will be offered more closely to the end of the semester (May). See semester page for updated exam information.
The following formal requirements apply for HGO4040:
- The reading list consists of a self-selected syllabus of 700 pages.
- The reading list must be submitted together with your examination answer.
- The length of the exam paper is 4000-4500 words, including notes, but excluding references.
- The exam answer must include a cover page with the following information: exam question, candidate number, semester-year, word count.
For a detailed criteria for the assessment of an exam in HGO4040 see: Examiner guidelines
A brief written explanation of the grade is given in Inspera at the time of the announcement of examination results.
Examination support material
All exam support materials are allowed during this exam. Generating all or part of the exam answer using AI tools such as Chat GPT or similar is not allowed.?
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
- 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.