ENG4510 – Thesis Writing for American and British Studies
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course prepares you for writing a master’s thesis by introducing you to the basics of research methods within American and British area studies. This includes finding and evaluating primary and secondary sources, best practices for argumentative and critical writing, research and writing ethics, developing a thesis topic and argument, and writing a final thesis proposal.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you will:
- have knowledge of key methods and practices involved in the writing of your M.A. thesis,
- understand the genre expectations of an M.A. thesis in American or British Studies and the conventions of academic argument,
- understand best practices and ethical imperatives related to working with source materials and developing your own scholarship,
- know how to write a proposal for your M.A. thesis.
Admission to the course
This course is only open for students who are admitted to the program European Languages, study option American and British Studies and Lektorprogrammet, masterspesialisering i engelsk.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with ENG4000 – Thesis Writing for English Literature, American and British Studies (discontinued).
Teaching
Seminars, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. 20 hours total.
Obligatory activities
- Drafts of all assignments in the portfolio must be submitted by dates specified during the semester. Requirements and details to be distributed by the instructor.?Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.
- It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend six out of ten seminars. The requirement is absolute.
The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.
In certain circumstances, such as disabilities and serious or chronic illness, you can apply for?special needs accommodations.
The tasks/work packages that constitute the individual components of the examination portfolio will be specified in the course syllabus. The syllabus and course pragmatics will be clearly communicated and explained in the first regular session.
Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.
Examination
The obligatory requirements must be fulfilled in order to qualify for the exam.
The exam format is a portfolio of 12-15 pages. A standard page consists of 2,300 characters. References and bibliography do not count toward the overall scope of the portfolio.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
A porfolio or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.
If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Since this exam is a portfolio, you must follow the classes and write new papers in order to qualify.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.