Diploma Seminar I
Osnova sekce
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The aim of the course is to develop the literature review and methods sections of the MA thesis. The students receive feedback on how to map and review existing literature, how to formulate a research question, how to select the appropriate methodological tools and how to develop a project for their diploma thesis. Furthermore, they will develop their skills in academic writing techniques. In the diploma thesis, the student must demonstrate the ability to work independently in keeping with academic standards, knowledge and understanding of the relevant scholarly literature and the ability to analyze the issue under study.
The objective of the course is to
A) finalize a MA thesis proposal, including the following sections:
1) the presentation of the topic and explanation of its social scientific relevance in the area of Sociology and/or Media Studies, including references to the existing literature
2) formulation of research objectives and research questions
3) definition of methods
4) expected outcomes/achievementsB) draft a Literature review
C) draft a Methods section
Course requirements:
1) Active participation in the course seminars
2) Submission of the following interim assignments for seminars
a) MA thesis proposal
b) literature review
c) methods3) Based on the feedback received during seminars, students have the submit the final assignment.
The final assignment must consist of two parts and be 2,500 word-long (+/-10%) in total, excluding bibliographic references.
a) literature review
b) methodsThis assignment has to be based on two revised interim assignments.
All assignments must be evaluated as of sufficient quality to pass the course.
Participation in seminars is compulsory. A maximum of two absences are permitted.
Maximum 100 %; minimum for passing 50%.
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Upload the last version of your thesis proposal in the text document format (ideally *.doc, *.docx or *.rtf but not *.pdf) at the latest by Friday noon in the week before the seminar. Please make sure to respect the deadline. The folder will be closed after the deadline.
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During the first introductory seminar, the organisation of the course will be introduced.
Recommended literature (some advice on how to develop a MA thesis)
Jones, J., Quinn, S., & Brown, H. (2011). Writing Guide for Sociology. University of California, Berkeley.
Booth et al. (2008). The Craft of Research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
O’Leary, Z. (2005). The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage.Recommended resources
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During this seminar, selected theses proposals and feedback provided by peers will be discussed.
Make sure to be ready to present in person the key ideas of your proposal in around 5 minutes (PowerPoint is not requested), presenting the topic of your interest, research objectives, research questions and the planned research design. Feel free to use the seminar also to discuss possible concerns and questions you might have concerning the development of your thesis - the seminars aim to provide you with constructive feedback and foster open and safe dialogue.
Please make sure to upload the last version of your thesis proposal.
For peers: make sure to read in advance the proposals and prepare your feedback.
The following MA thesis proposals will be presented:
Vittoria Virgili
Ahmad Yousef Abu-Hmeidan
Ecem Duygu Durak
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During this seminar, selected theses proposals and feedback provided by peers will be discussed.
Make sure to be ready to present in person the key ideas of your proposal in around 5 minutes (PowerPoint is not requested), presenting the topic of your interest, research objectives, research questions and the planned research design. Feel free to use the seminar also to discuss possible concerns and questions you might have concerning the development of your thesis - the seminars aim to provide you with constructive feedback and foster open and safe dialogue.
Please make sure to upload the last version of your thesis proposal.
For peers: make sure to read in advance the proposals and prepare your feedback.
-
During this seminar, selected theses proposals and feedback provided by peers will be discussed.
Make sure to be ready to present in person the key ideas of your proposal in around 5 minutes (PowerPoint is not requested), presenting the topic of your interest, research objectives, research questions and the planned research design. Feel free to use the seminar also to discuss possible concerns and questions you might have concerning the development of your thesis - the seminars aim to provide you with constructive feedback and foster open and safe dialogue.
Please make sure to upload the last version of your thesis proposal.
For peers: make sure to read in advance the proposals and prepare your feedback.
The following MA thesis proposals will be presented:
Ahmad Yousef Abu-Hmeidan (in case of need, partly discussed during the previous seminar)
Lu Wei
Chu Lynn Chan
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During this seminar, selected theses proposals and feedback provided by peers will be discussed.
Make sure to be ready to present in person the key ideas of your proposal in around 5 minutes (PowerPoint is not requested), presenting the topic of your interest, research objectives, research questions and the planned research design. Feel free to use the seminar also to discuss possible concerns and questions you might have concerning the development of your thesis - the seminars aim to provide you with constructive feedback and foster open and safe dialogue.
Please make sure to upload the last version of your thesis proposal.
For peers: make sure to read in advance the proposals and prepare your feedback.
-
Upload the last version of your thesis proposal in the text document format (ideally *.doc, *.docx or *.rtf but not *.pdf) at the latest by Friday noon in the week before the seminar. Please make sure to respect the deadline. The folder will be closed after the deadline.
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Week 7 (11 Nov): Mapping and discussing literature - bibliographic review outline I (Tiago Gomes Lapa)
During this seminar, selected literature reviews and feedback provided by peers will be discussed.
In your literature review outlines, please identify the key literature related to your topics, theoretical framework and, if appropriate, national contexts. Please try to anticipate how you plan to structure your literature review and what are the key arguments/concepts that you are planning to discuss. Nothing long is expected at this stage (1 or 2 pages are fine) - the aim is to map the scholarship and area of studies you will discuss in your theses, and also to later frame your research design. Please note that research objectives and questions must be formulated against the literature review.
Make sure to be ready to present in person the key ideas of your literature reviews in around 5-10 minutes (PowerPoint is not requested). Feel free to use the seminar also to discuss possible concerns and questions you might have concerning the development of your thesis - the seminars aim to provide you with constructive feedback and foster open and safe dialogue.
Please make sure to upload the last version of your literature review.
For peers: make sure to read in advance the proposals and prepare your feedback.
-
Upload the last version of your literature review in the text document format (ideally *.doc, *.docx or *.rtf but not *.pdf) at the latest by Friday noon in the week before the seminar. Please make sure to respect the deadline. The folder will be closed after the deadline.
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Week 8 (18 Nov): Mapping and discussing literature - bibliographic review outline II (Dino Numerato)
During this seminar, selected literature reviews and feedback provided by peers will be discussed.
In your literature review outlines, please identify the key literature related to your topics, theoretical framework and, if appropriate, national contexts. Please try to anticipate how you plan to structure your literature review and what are the key arguments/concepts that you are planning to discuss. Nothing long is expected at this stage (1 or 2 pages are fine + list of references) - the aim is to map the scholarship and area of studies you will discuss in your theses, and also to later frame your research design. Please note that research objectives and questions must be formulated against the literature review.
Make sure to be ready to present in person the key ideas of your literature reviews in around 5-10 minutes (PowerPoint is not requested). Feel free to use the seminar also to discuss possible concerns and questions you might have concerning the development of your thesis - the seminars aim to provide you with constructive feedback and foster open and safe dialogue.
Please make sure to upload the last version of your literature review.
For peers: make sure to read in advance the proposals and prepare your feedback.
The following literature reviews will be presented:
Vittoria Virgili
Ecem Duygu Durak
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Week 9 (25 Nov): Mapping and discussing literature - bibliographic review outline III (Dino Numerato)
During this seminar, selected literature reviews and feedback provided by peers will be discussed. In your literature review outlines, please identify the key literature related to your topics, theoretical framework and, if appropriate, national contexts. Please try to anticipate how you plan to structure your literature review and what are the key arguments/concepts that you are planning to discuss. Nothing long is expected at this stage (1 or 2 pages are fine + list of references) - the aim is to map the scholarship and area of studies you will discuss in your theses, and also to later frame your research design. Please note that research objectives and questions must be formulated against the literature review. Make sure to be ready to present in person the key ideas of your literature reviews in around 5-10 minutes (PowerPoint is not requested).
Feel free to use the seminar also to discuss possible concerns and questions you might have concerning the development of your thesis - the seminars aim to provide you with constructive feedback and foster open and safe dialogue.
Please make sure to upload the last version of your literature review.
For peers: make sure to read in advance the proposals and prepare your feedback.
The following literature reviews will be presented:
Ahmad Yousef Abu-Hmeidan
Lu Wei
Chu Lynn Chan
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Week 10 (2 Dec): Mapping and discussing literature - bibliographic review outline IV (Tiago Gomes Lapa)
During this seminar, selected literature reviews and feedback provided by peers will be discussed.
In your literature review outlines, please identify the key literature related to your topics, theoretical framework and, if appropriate, national contexts. Please try to anticipate how you plan to structure your literature review and what are the key arguments/concepts that you are planning to discuss. Nothing long is expected at this stage (1 or 2 pages are fine) - the aim is to map the scholarship and area of studies you will discuss in your theses, and also to later frame your research design. Please note that research objectives and questions must be formulated against the literature review.
Make sure to be ready to present in person the key ideas of your literature reviews in around 5-10 minutes (PowerPoint is not requested). Feel free to use the seminar also to discuss possible concerns and questions you might have concerning the development of your thesis - the seminars aim to provide you with constructive feedback and foster open and safe dialogue.
Please make sure to upload the last version of your literature review.
For peers: make sure to read in advance the proposals and prepare your feedback.
-
-
Upload the last version of your thesis proposal in the text document format (ideally *.doc, *.docx or *.rtf but not *.pdf) at the latest by Friday noon in the week before the seminar. Please make sure to respect the deadline. The folder will be closed after the deadline.
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Here you can find some additional learning material concerning the method sections of your theses here. Please respect that this material is a working version only and not intended for broader circulation.
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Week 12 (16 Dec): Defining research objectives, questions and specifying Methods II (Tiago Gomes Lapa)
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Upload the last version of your thesis proposal in the text document format (ideally *.doc, *.docx or *.rtf but not *.pdf) at the latest by Friday noon in the week before the seminar. Please make sure to respect the deadline. The folder will be closed after the deadline.
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Week 13 (6 Jan): Defining research objectives, questions and specifying Methods III & IV (Dino Numerato and Tiago Gomes Lapa)
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Upload the last version of your thesis proposal in the text document format (ideally *.doc, *.docx or *.rtf but not *.pdf) at the latest by Friday noon in the week before the seminar. Please make sure to respect the deadline. The folder will be closed after the deadline.
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