MEVIT4010 – Master’s thesis seminar for media studies

Course content

The master`s thesis seminar prepares students for writing their master`s thesis. The students will receive counselling in how to formulate a research question and develop a project description for their master`s thesis. They will receive insights in the basic requirements and genre conventions for master`s theses in media studies. Part of the course will be based on work in groups, where the students are trained in assessing academic texts using the conventions that are current in this field. Furthermore, the students will present and comment each other’s drafts for project descriptions. Students revise their drafts based on the feedback from fellow students and supervisor, before submitting project descriptions for final approval. An approved project description is the main goal of the course.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

  • know the genre conventions of literature review and master`s theses in media studies
  • have insight into previous research within the selected topic and field of the master project
  • know the basic features of academic writing
  • know the basics of privacy, research ethics and GDPR regulations

Skills

  • locate relevant research literature in library and online databases
  • read, annotate, and assess academic texts within media studies
  • design a research project (with research question(s), empirical material, methods, and theory)

General competence

  • make bibliographic references in good academic custom in standard reference systems
  • distinguish between own and other’s work, and between quoting and paraphrasing
  • give oral and written feedback on project proposals

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.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

The course will be taught as a combination of lectures and workshops plus discussions and supervision in smaller groups.

The autumn semester starts with a three-day kick-off.

Students will be required to fulfill compulsory activities which will be given a pass/fail. In order to be allowed to submit the final term paper, the compulsory activities must be approved. Students who do not submit and pass the activities lose their right to submit the term paper.

The activities may vary each semester. The specifics and deadlines for the compulsory activities are published on the semester page by the beginning of the semester.

Examination

Term paper. The term paper is the project proposal for the master`s thesis. The project proposal should be 5 pages, excluding the list of References, and must include:

  • Working title
  • Theme or area of interest
  • Theory/literature review
  • Research questions and/or hypotheses
  • Method and research ethics
  • Information about empirical data

Obligatory activities must be approved in order to submit the term paper.

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

The term paper will be submitted in the spring term. You have three attempts to get a passed result. If you fail in your first try, you may re-submit in the autumn term.

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. 29, 2024 1:21:32 PM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring and autumn
Examination
Spring and autumn
Teaching language
English