SGO4040 – Individual reading list
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The individual reading list contains a self-selected syllabus of 700 pages approved by the supervisor. The reading list must be based on the work on the master’s thesis, and, for example, could constitute the building blocks of your chapter on theory. Therefore, it is vital that you start working on the topic of your master’s thesis before selecting your individual reading list. It is a prerequisite that you have established contact with your thesis supervisor before you can enrol for the examination on the reading list you have selected.
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 receive training in searching databases such as Bibsys, 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
Admission to the course is dependent on admission to the master’s degree programme in human geography.
Students with admission to the programme must each semester register which courses and examinations they wish to sign up for in StudentWeb
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, you can apply for admission to our study programmes in English.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
SGO4011 – Philosophy and Methodology of Human Geography and at least one course on theory.
Overlapping courses
The course overlaps with SGO341 and SGO342.
Teaching
- There is no regular teaching for this course but the supervisor must approve the reading list well before the examination is distributed.
- 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.
- Two copies of the reading list must be submitted together with three copies of the examination question paper when submitting your answer. 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 2 pm. The answer must be between 18 and 20 pages, including notes, but excluding references. The Times (Roman) 12 font must be used with 1.5 spacing.
Students can contact their supervisor by email if the wording of the examination paper is unclear.
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.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English or Norwegian (optional), and you submit your response in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
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.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.
See also our information about resitting an exam.
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.