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2024 Spring

THESIS SEMINAR - HSS389/HSS589/I Spring 2024


Course
Einat Adar
For information about registration please contact our admissions.

This course introduces students to the purpose, structural elements and process of writing a Bachelor’s thesis. It takes students through the stages of writing, including: determining a relevant and appropriate research question, writing a focused and clear thesis statement in response to that question, supporting that thesis theoretically and methodologically, as well as revising and editing. The course will also develop students’ awareness of the stylistic conventions of academic writing. In addition, the students will learn to find and critically evaluate sources and to incorporate these sources in accurate citation format. Students will also come to understand the value of critical thinking, research and the use of sources in order to construct a well reasoned, well informed and well supported argument. The course is taught in a combination of lectures, class discussion, small group interaction and individual presentations. Each student will steadily lay a foundation upon which to build their thesis in cooperation their individual advisors. The ultimate goal of the course is for students to acquire and develop the skills necessary to engage productively and with their advisors and to efficiently produce a Bachelors’ thesis of high academic quality.

Here is the course outline:

1. Introduction

Overview of the course and requirements

2. Formulating Research Questions and Thesis Statements

What makes a good thesis topic and how to formulate questions

3. Relevance statement

Establishing the importance of your project

4. Secondary sources

How to locate, critically assess, and present secondary sources

5. Assessment of progress

Individual consultation on thesis topic

6. Literature Review

7. Theoretical framework and methodology – Social Sciences

Developing the theoretical and methodological sections of the thesis proposal in the social sciences Guest lecture: Angel Hoekstra

8. Theoretical framework and methodology - Humanities

Developing the theoretical and methodological sections of the thesis proposal in the humanities

9. Lesson 9 Research plan

How to arrange research tasks to realistically meet deadlines Guest speaker: Gerald Power

10. Lesson 10 Collaboration and feedback

In-class Peer Review and Presentation: Thesis Proposal Outline (with Thesis chapter structure)

11. Lesson 11 Assessment of progress

Individual consultation on thesis topic

12. Lesson 12 Collaboration and feedback

In-class Peer Review and Presentation: Draft Thesis Proposal

13. Lesson 13 Academic Writing

Formal and Informal Language, Defence Preparation, Troubleshooting Guest speaker: Karen Grunow-Hårsta

14. Lesson 14 Proposal submission

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