Research Methods and Project Development in Digital Culture

Level of Study

Master.

Teaching semester

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen.

Objectives and Content

This course will offer an overview of central research methods in the field of Digital Culture and has a reading list of around 500 pages material. The students are expected to deliver a project description for the master thesis. The students are also expected to submit a self-selected reading list around 500 pages relating to their planned master thesis.

This course is a compulsory part of the master programme in Digital Culture.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

The candidate has knowledge of:

a wide range of quantitative, qualitative and hermeneutic research methods within Digital culture

a wide range of theories that offer different frameworks of understanding within Digital culture

laws and ethical norms that apply in social science and humanities research

Skills

The candidate can:

on an independent basis define a problem area and isolate key issues

discuss and compare different theories in relation to a given topic

deduce methods based on a theoretical assessment and knowledge goals

translate these methods into concrete activities with material, people or other research objects.

plan the implementation of the master's project in Digital Culture

General competence

The candidate can:

apply in-depth knowledge of academic writing including strategies for documentation and bibliography

present and defend a project development process for outside professionals

formulate and orally communicate their written work to an academic audience

Required Previous Knowledge

-

Recommended Previous Knowledge

-

Access to the Course

The course is open to anyone with the right to study in the master's program in Digital Culture at the University of Bergen. Students in other master's programs can apply to the Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies to register for the course.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be offered as lectures and seminars totalling approximately 30 hours. Additionally, individual supervision during the development of the project description will be offered.

In the case that fewer than 5 students are enrolled in the course, the department has the right to reduce the amount of teaching in accordance with the department¿s guidelines (more info on MySpace). When it is or may be the case, the course participants will be informed at semester start and before the registration deadline February 1st / September 1st.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

In order to be allowed to take the final examination, the student is required to participate in minimum 75% of the teaching and of the activities that are part of the course. Course participation will be validated by the course coordinator.

The compulsory activities are either approved or not approved, and are only valid in the teaching semester.

Forms of Assessment

DIKULT301 requires a master thesis project description including a work plan to be delivered by the student. The final project description is expected to be between 5000 and 7000 words.

All exam parts must be taken during the teaching semester.

Grading Scale

Pass/Fail.

Reading List

In addition to a compulsory reading list covering approximately 500 pages, the students are expected to select in cooperation with the course coordinator an equally large reading list that is relevant to the planned master thesis project. The total reading list will amount to approximately 1000 pages.

Course Evaluation

Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the University of Bergen's quality assurance system.