THESIS SEMINAR - HSS389/2 Fall 2024
Course
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. IntroductionOverview of the course and requirements |
2. Finding a topic, formulating research questions and stating the thesisWhat makes a good thesis topic, how to formulate a question about it and how to state your thesis |
3. L3 Relevance statementEstablishing the importance of your project |
4. L4 Bibliography/Secondary sourcesHow to locate, critically assess, and categorize secondary sources |
5. CLASS 5. Assessment of progressIndividual consultation on thesis topic |
6. L6 Summarizing published research/Literature ReviewHow to describe the state of knowledge and scholarly research in the field |
7. 7. Research methodologyDeveloping the theoretical and methodological sections of the thesis proposal in the social sciences |
8. 8. Theoretical frameworkDeveloping the theoretical and methodological sections of the thesis proposal in the humanities |
9. 9 Research plan and outlineHow to arrange research tasks to realistically meet deadlines |
10. Lesson 10 Collaboration and feedbackIn-class Peer Review and Presentation: Thesis Proposal Outline (with Thesis chapter structure) |
11. Lesson 11 Assessment of progressIndividual consultation on thesis topic |
12. Lesson 12 Collaboration and feedbackIn-class Peer Review and Presentation: Draft Thesis Proposal |
13. Lesson 13 Academic WritingFormal and Informal Language, Defence Preparation, Troubleshooting Guest speaker: Karen Grunow-Hårsta |
14. Lesson 14 Proposal submission |