HUMR5200 - Thesis in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights
Course content
Your thesis is the culmination of your master’s degree studies. During the writing process you will have an advisor from whom you will receive advice and substantive guidance.
If the content of the thesis is juridical: The substantive portion of your thesis should be no more than 18,000 words (i.e. introduction, all chapters, conclusion). Footnotes are included in the 18,000 words. Not included in the wordcount: Preface, table of content, acknowledgements, bibliography, tables and registers.
The thesis is an independent work, and the topic is of the student’s own choice within the field of the programme.If the content of the thesis is multidisciplinary: The substantive portion of your thesis should be no more than 20,000 words, footnotes included (preface, table of content, acknowledgements, bibliography, tables and registers not included).
It is the student and supervisor who decide whether the thesis should be recognised as strictly juridical, non-juridical or partly juridical.
It is also possible to write the thesis with 60 credits scope.
Learning outcome
The purpose of your thesis is to develop, exercise and demonstrate your expertise in the particular field your thesis, as well as of your general scholarly competence. Your thesis should be an independent contribution to scholarly knowledge and discourse and will be deposited in the library of the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights.
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Admission is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Philosophy program in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Students must have passed the examination in - HUMR5191 - Human Rights Methodology: Research, Analysis and Thesis in order to register for this course.
Teaching
The form of teaching is independent work and seminars. Before starting the actual writing, students take part in seminars which prepares you for the process of thesis writing. The seminars will offer necessary tools and guidelines for researching and writing a good scholarly thesis based on independent thinking and sound argument.
Supervision is mandatory, and students are given 15 hours individual supervision. The supervisor must be appointed by the Faculty.
Practical information about the thesis writing (guidelines, deadlines)
a) Remember to register for the thesis in the Studentweb within the deadline: February 1.
b) Students will find important practical material in how to write the master's thesis in the Guidelines for writing a thesis – formal and practical requirements
Students are required to read this information.
c) Thesis template: Students are required to use the thesis template, which can be downloaded here (download it on your own computer): thesis template (Word/Open Office)
d) Students who need assistance with the template, may contact 'Juriteket' at Domus Nova, 3rd floor. They will give you excellent guidance.
e) Ethical guidelines for supervisors at the University of Oslo
Deadline of submission: 15 May (eventually 1st December):
If this date turns out to be a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is extended to the next working day (normally the day after).
The main deadline is 15 May. If you are not able to meet this deadline, next deadline is 1st December. If you deliver within 1 December, your diploma will show that you have submitted your thesis during autumn and thus has been delayed in your studies. All students must rememeber to register in Studentweb for the thesis and pay the semester fee within the deadline 1 Februaryr (or 1 September for the 1st December deadline).
Submission of thesis:
- Submission of 4 bound copies (hard copies) of the thesis
- Submission of receipt which shows that the thesis has been submitted in DUO
- Supervisor form (to be filled in if external supervisor only). Supervisor form
- Submission of Self-declaration form regarding cheating
- Sumbission of Restricted access to thesis form (if desired)
- Submission in DUO (electronic library at UiO) is mandatory. Submission is to be done here: http://www.duo.uio.no/englishindex.html
Remember to calculate 4 days of printing time (if there are holidays and weekends in between, you must calculate longer time than 4 days).
Examination
Written assignment of Master’s Thesis. Grades A-F (F=fail).
The following criterias are used when assessing the thesis:
- A clear, well-defined problem
- Originality in the treatment of the topic (not simply repetition of what others have said, but at least in part a genuine original contribution)
- Quality of the arguments presented
- Quality and clearness of the structure of the presentation
- Use of literature (familiarity with the relevant literature, judicious choice of relevant literature and documentation)
- Soundness of the conclusions in relation to the treatment
Submission of thesis:
See above under 'Teaching'.
Language of examination
The Master's thesis should be written in 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.
Explanations and appeals
You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.
Resit an examination
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Please see Detailed regulations for the Faculty of Law, Chapter 3 3 regarding application, responsibilities and special measures.