MES4010 – Critical Literature Review in Middle East Studies

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

This reading course is designed to meet the individual needs of Master’s students within the programme option Middle East Studies. In consultation with a course teacher and the thesis supervisor, participants will further refine their project proposals for their master's thesis. The main focus of this course will be to develop the secondary literature review, with an emphasis on theoretical perspectives directly relevant to the research topic chosen by the students in their project proposals. Course participants will compile their own relevant reading lists. The chosen literature must provide a solid theoretical and empirical basis of information related to the thesis subject of the student. Moreover, course participants will reflect on which specific works constitute key literature on their respective subjects. They will also discuss key academic debates and ‘schools’ within the academic field to which their thesis subject belongs, and firmly situate their research project, theoretically and methodologically, within a specific discipline, field, and sub-field. 

The project proposal and the reading list must be approved by the course teacher and thesis supervisor. The course should normally be taken during the first year of the Master’s degree programme. 

Learning outcome

Participants learn to: 

  • Refine an academic project description. 
  • Critically read and analyze research literature relevant to the research question of your master’s thesis, and to formulate a presentation and an interpretation of the issues and arguments presented in the literature. 
  • Summarize and present a research debate in an independent and reflective manner. 
  • Situate a research project, theoretically and methodologically, in the context of academic disciplines, fields and sub-fields. 

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.

This course is only availabe for students admitted to the programme option Middle East Studies.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

MES4000 – Theory, Methodology and Project Description in Middle East- and South Asia Studies

Teaching

Teaching throughout the semester is provided in the form of guidance at thesis seminars in the presence of the tutor. Your thesis supervisor will also be present and provide additional feedback when you present your drafts.

Compulsory activities

  • Attendance to at least 60% of the seminars

  • Submission of the reading list

  • An oral presentation towards the end of the semester

  • Meetings with the supervisor

Approved compulsory activities are only valid for the current semester.

Valid absence

In the event of valid absence from any compulsory activity, you must submit an application along with appropriate documentation.  

This is how you apply for a valid absence from compulsory activity.

Examination

The course examination consists of a term paper. The term paper must provide a literature review relevant to the research question of your master’s thesis, approved by your tutor and thesis supervisor. The literature review should be between 8-10 pages in length, not counting the title page and references. 

The compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.

Grading guidelines

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

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Common Student System) Mar. 19, 2024 4:25:48 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring
Examination
Spring
Teaching language
English