Required prerequisite knowledge

IKF301 Intercultural theories IIKF302 Methodology IKF303 Project-Design and Applied Intercultural Theories Elective course(s), 15 ECTS on master level and within the field of study.

Relevance within study programme

Compulsory course in the ICSM masters´ program

Introduction

The Master's degree thesis is intended to demonstrate the candidate's capacity for independent scientific work and his/her intercultural competence. The Master's thesis is a piece of scholarly research giving students an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired during the first year of the master's programme and the bachelor studies.

Learning outcomes descriptors

In the thesis research project, the student should demonstrate skills in formulating main and secondary research questions, and in planning, conducting, analysing and reporting on an intercultural issue, applying intercultural theories and understanding and in doing qualitative field work. It should demonstrate the student's ability to identify and analyse intercultural challenges, and to communicate effectively and efficiently across cultural and world view boundaries. He or she has become familiar with ethnographic field work and data collection, organisation and critical analysis and assessments.

The thesis must provide a detailed and substantiated account of the thematic, methodological and theoretical basis for the work. It must elaborate on the importance of the research question and the value of the research to the scientific community. The theoretical and methodological chapters should demonstrate their relevance to the particular case study and fieldwork. The empirical material under analysis should be presented in a clear manner, also showing the links to the theoretical framework and the methodology employed.

Content

The ability to design and accomplish a research project in a methodically clearly structured way is to be proven in the thesis. The student will also contribute to the research field with new knowledge production (cf. the general objectives of the master programme.)

The choice of research question and objectives for the thesis are made in consultation with the thesis supervisor, who is appointed during the 2nd semester for each student on the basis of her/his choice of subject to supervise the development of the research proposal, the fieldwork and the writing of the thesis.

The thesis should be based on data collected through 2-3 months– fieldwork which should mainly be carried out at the beginning of the 3rd semester. The fieldwork has to be concluded before 1. November in the 3rd semester in order to provide sufficient time for writing up.

The Master's thesis should be minimum 80, maximum 120 pages, cf. general rules and norms (Times New Roman 12 pt font, line spacing 1 ½) including the summary, if there are, excurse notes and foreword, but not including content list, appendices, registers, references and similar. The master' thesis should include a summary of max 400 words.

All compulsory and optional courses must be completed before the evaluation of the thesis can take place.

Appraisal of a submitted thesis is the responsibility of a Thesis Committee composed of two persons. The first is a member of the professional staff of Inter cultural studies. The second member is external, not affiliated with the NLA University College. The student's supervisor may be available for questions from the Committee, however, the supervisor has no influence on the grading

Teaching and learning methods

The work of a Master's thesis is expected to be one year full time work. The thesis is expected to be finished within the second year of the programme. This implies up to 2-3 months´ field work and up to 6-7 months to write up. The combination of seminars, work requirements during course and individual supervision by an especially assigned supervisor aim at supporting the student–s writing-up process following fieldwork.

Scope

1800 hours.

Coursework requirements

• Participate in the compulsory seminar "From field-work to writing" following the return from the fieldwork in the 3rd semester.
• Participation at the minimum of two thesis seminarsduring the 4th semester.
  • Presentation of at least one thesis chapter during one of these thesis-seminars.
  • Prepared oral comment on at least one co-students' chapter.

The Master's thesis should be minimum 80, maximum 120 pages, cf. general rules and norms (line spacing 1 ½), not including appendices and references.

Grading, coursework requirements

Approved/ Not approved

Final assessment

• Master's thesis
• Oral examination

The Master's thesis should normally be handed in by the first workday in May/November for the oral examination to be in the same semester

The Master's thesis will be graded and needs a passing grade before the candidate will be allowed to sit for an oral examination.

The oral examination can adjust the final grade with a maximum of one grade.

Permitted aids under examination

All aids permitted.

Grading, examination

ECTS grading scale from A to F, in which E or better is necessary in order to pass.

Assessment language

Scandinavian or English

Practice

None.

Course evaluation

There will be arranged for evaluation of the course in accordance with the quality system for NLA University College. Students may also give their feedback on the course in the student group/ in class.

Other rules

The student has to follow the requirements from research ethical norms and the Data Protection Official for Research .

Available for Course Students

No.

Syllabus

Self composed syllabus.