Dissertation and oral exam, PPU-master, English and Literacy Studies (ENG393)

The students produce an academic dissertation based on their own research. In addition to independent work on the dissertation, the course includes a research seminar and supervision meetings, both with obligatory attendance. The students are required to submit a research proposal, regular written work to the supervisor and (together with the dissertation) an individual reading list. The students will also deliver a test lecture on a given topic, based on the individual reading list, before receiving their mark. The dissertation is a piece of academic written work, based on individual research, on a topic that has been agreed upon by the student and the supervisor. The topic should normally relate to one of the areas studied in the taught part of the course. With one of the taught modules as a starting point, the dissertation may build upon perspectives from several areas, such as linguistics, literature, didactics, history or media studies. The dissertation should consist of 60-80 pages (12-point Times New Roman, 1.5 line spacing), not including appendices, references and large tables. It should follow accepted academic conventions. The topic should be clearly delimited, and the principal objectives and source materials should be defined. The methodology should be adequately described, and the work placed within its context in relation to earlier research. Students are encouraged to base their work on primary data collected by themselves. The final mark for the course is based on the dissertation, but may be adjusted up or down (by one grade only) on the basis of the oral exam.

Knowledge

The student will gain:

• Understanding of the main theoretical issues relevant for the field of research of her/hisMaster's dissertation
• Knowledge of the central literature and issues of debate within the field of research
• Understanding of basic research ethics, including plagiarism and copyright issues as well as research involving living human participants

Skills

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• Apply their knowledge to independent research work
• Apply a range of practical and methodological skills required for their research work
• Account for the theories and methods current within their field of research and explain their own choice of theoretical framework and methodology
• Develop a line of argument based on their own finding
• Present their findings as an academic thesis, following accepted convention

General competence

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• Make a realistic and structured project plan
• Work independently on a long-term project

Communicate their findings clearly and efficiently both in speech and writing- Present and discuss their work in good academic English

Et av følgende alternativer:
Critical Approaches to Literature (ENG340)
English words and meanings (ENG341)
First and Second Language Literacy Development (ENG342)

A project proposal, Supervision meetings, Seminars - 75 % attendance

• A project proposal (1,200-2,000 words) to be handed in by a set deadline
• A minimum of four supervision meeting
• Attendance and presentation of work in progress at a dissertation writing seminar throughout the semester, with no more than 25% absence.

The obligatory activities must be completed before the dissertation may be submitted.

The student must have completed all the taught modules before the dissertation may be submitted.

Individual work, supervision meetings, seminars.

Integrert PPU-master med spesialisering i engelsk/Literacy Studies

The course description is retrieved from FS (Felles studentsystem). Version 1