HI-501 Master's Thesis

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Advanced Teacher Education level 8-13, 5-year Master's Programme

Prerequisites

Students must have received passing marks in HI-408, HI-409 and HI-411.

Course contents

In consultation with their advisor, students will complete an individual, independent research project equivalent to 45 study points (master’s thesis 60-90 pages in length). The work can be based on their own studies of sources, be a historiographical analysis or a historical-didactic work. The topic of the master’s thesis must be approved by the course instructor. Students will also become part of the scholarly community through their active participation at seminars.

Learning outcomes

Upon course completion students will have acquired the following:

Knowledge

• insight into historical research methods, relevant historical theory and

• in-depth knowledge of the topic chosen for their master's thesis

Skills

• ability to work independently in a scholarly manner and present information regarding their research project and results to others

• development of a questioning, methodologically and theoretically reflected approach to research

• ability to structure written material and write historical non-fiction

• ability to qualify their own scholarly viewpoints, assess relevance and quality criteria and assert their own authority in scholarly discussions

General Competence

• Students will be able to present their own research project and its results to an audience.

Examination requirements

Attendance at three of the four seminars must be approved.

At each seminar the student will present a written draft for his/her own work, and read and comment on the fellow students’ drafts according to the instructions given in the semester plan and posted on Canvas.

A lecture on a given topic which is relevant for the thesis must be completed and passed.

Individual supervision of about 9 hours must be completed.

Teaching methods

Instruction is seminar-based (4 seminars). Compulsory attendance at three of the four seminars. Students are to receive supervision (approx. 9 hours) before the master's thesis is handed in for assessment. The workload is estimated to about 1200 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Assessment methods and criteria

Master's thesis of 60-90 pages (of 2300 signs each) with graded assessment.

A subsequent oral examination may adjust the final grade.

Graded assessment.