MUR502 Master's Thesis

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Master's Programme in Popular Music

Prerequisites

• ME-426 Music Scientific Theory and Method

• MUR402 Individual Performance and Interpretation I

• MUR403 Individual Performance and Interpretation II

Course contents

The master's thesis should be empirically based but discuss practical/empirical questions from various academic perspectives. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are allowed. The thesis can be a scientific or artistic research project. If choosing artistic research, the work must be accompanied by a reflection that illuminates and clarifies process, methodology, contextualizing of one's own artistic position/work in relation to the academic field, and how the project contributes to the development of the field.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to

• engage in critical reflection to analyze academic issues based on the history, traditions, and societal context of rhythmic music

• locate and use relevant source material to address chosen issues

• apply relevant theory to structure and articulate musical reasoning

• critically and reflectively communicate, articulate, and discuss current academic issues, methods, and analyses – both within the academic community and in the public sphere

• critically engage with performance traditions and artistic practices relevant to the field and specialization represented

Examination requirements

• Approved attendance for mandatory teaching and supervision

• Two presentations and two oppositions

Further information will be provided in Canvas at the beginning of the semester.

Teaching methods

The teaching includes both individual supervision, lectures, and seminars.

Supervision is a significant component of the master's thesis work. It ensures that the student is provided with the necessary knowledge and involves necessary quality assurance in data collection and processing within research ethical guidelines. Through seminars, students are trained in presenting their own projects, issues, and methodological work, as well as in providing feedback on each other's work. The work on the master's thesis is planned in collaboration with the supervisor, cf. supervision contract. Parts of the teaching and supervision are mandatory. These parts will be presented in Canvas at the beginning of the semester.

 

The expected workload is 27 hours per credit.

Evaluation

The course coordinator, in consultation with the student representative, determines the evaluation method and whether the courses shall have mid-term or final evaluations, cf. quality system chapter 4.1.

 

Information about the evaluation method for the course will be published in Canvas.

Assessment methods and criteria

The course offers two different assessment methods. The student, in consultation with the supervisor, chooses one of the variants, based on what best suits the form and content of the work:

• Variant 1: An individual written assignment with a length of 50-70 pages.

• Variant 2: An individual artistic research project where the reflective component should have a scope equivalent to 30-50 pages.

 

Grading: Graded assessment.

 

Further information will be provided in Canvas.

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course	Reduction of Credits
MUR500 – Master's Thesis and Performance	30