Thesis Development and Methodology

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Master

Teaching semester

Fall

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

This course will help students acquire and develop knowledge and skills needed to conduct master's-level research in philosophy, with a focus on the master's thesis. Students will be provided with guidance and instruction in philosophical methodology, choosing a thesis topic, using online databases and library resources, academic writing, and developing a project proposal.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the student should have

• Familiarity with methods used for research in philosophy
• Understanding of how to make an original contribution to philosophical scholarship
• Knowledge of online databases and library resources relevant for research in philosophy
• Familiarity with the basic components of a research project proposal in philosophy

Skills:

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• Formulate good research questions in philosophy
• Identify ways of contributing to philosophical scholarship on prospective research topics
• Find relevant and up-to-date literature in philosophy on prospective research topics
• Develop a research project proposal
• Make a plan for the completion of the proposed project

Competence:

After completing the course, the student should be competent to

• Undertake research in philosophy
• Write a master's thesis in philosophy

Recommended Previous Knowledge

A good proficiency in English is necessary since much of the prescribed reading will be in English.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

FIL342 overlaps 10 ECTS with FIL304 (Plan for Master Thesis in Philosophy), 5 ECTS with FIL312 (), 5 ECTS with FIL321 and 5 ECTS with FIL322.

Access to the Course

A condition for entry into this course is having been accepted for the Masters programme in philosophy.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is offered in the form of lectures and/or seminars.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

In order to complete the course, students must:

• Attend at least 70% of the seminars
• Complete at least 5 formative written assignments (around 500 words each, deadlines set by the instructor).
• Present their project proposal (scheduled by the instructor)
• Submit a draft of their project proposal at least 2 working days before the seminar in which they are presenting
• Deliver a completed and signed supervision contract by the end of the semester

Forms of Assessment

The final assessment for the course will be based on a project proposal for the master's thesis, which must include:

• A description of the proposed master¿s thesis (2000-3000 words, not including citations and references). The topic of the project must be approved by the instructor.
• An annotated bibliography of at least 10 scholarly sources relevant to the proposed master's thesis topic (minimum 500 words);
• A progress plan for the proposed master's thesis.

Grading Scale

Pass or Fail.

Assessment Semester

Fall

Course Evaluation

The teaching will be evaluated every semester in which it is taught.

Programme Committee

Department of Philosophy

Course Coordinator

Department of Philosophy

Course Administrator

Department of Philosophy