Universität Wien

128302 KU Toolkit for Research and Writing (MA Literature) (2025W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Tu 18.11. 08:15-09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

This class is an interactive ONSITE seminar in which regular and active participation is key to students' success. Online participation or hybrid 'listening in' is not possible, and sessions will not be recorded.
You may miss no more than 2 session (i.e. 2x90 minutes of class). If a viable doctor's note is produced, you may miss a third but then need to compensate it at the teacher's discretion. If you miss more than three lessons, this will result in your failing the course, due to excessive absence.

  • Tuesday 14.10. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 21.10. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 28.10. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 04.11. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 11.11. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 25.11. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 02.12. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 09.12. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 16.12. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 13.01. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 20.01. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 27.01. 08:15 - 09:45 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course provides students with a toolkit for the writing of an M.A. thesis in Literary and Cultural Studies. The emphasis of the course is not so much on the WHAT, but on the HOW of a research project, i.e., on the whole process of planning, organizing and carrying out your thesis project.
Topics covered include, among others, the stages involved in a research process, how to narrow down an initial interest, the formulation of a thesis statement, proposal writing, research methodologies, information research and the use of databases, working with primary texts, as well as formal aspects of a research paper like citation styles and plagiarism.

If participants already work on a thesis project or have an idea they would like to work on, they will have the opportunity to present and discuss these ideas to/with the group. Ideally, you will bring an idea or outline for your thesis project to the course, because you can then use our discussions and the portfolio tasks to actually work on your project. However, students do not have to have a project, yet. By the end of term, some of you might have arrived at a concrete research and writing plan. Overall, students will be given the chance to develop a potential MA thesis project over the course of the class.

Assessment and permitted materials

Take part in and pass each of the 3 course requirements (active participation + in-class assignments, portfolio, expert or project presentation) and score at least 60 points in order to pass this course.

The course requirements will be discussed in detail during the first session.
The use of AI is not allowed, unless agreed upon with the lecturer for specific tasks.

Please make sure to ensure compliance with the standards of good academic practice and the correct application of the techniques of academic work and writing.
Plagiarized and fraudulent performances (also in single tasks) lead to non-grading of the course (entry of an 'X' in the transcript).
In case of doubt, the course instructor may invite students to a grade-related conversation (plausibility check or "notenrelevantes Gespräch") about submitted partial performances.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Grading scale:
1: 100-90 points
2: 89-80 points
3: 79-70 points
4: 69-60 points
5: 59-0 points

  • Active participation in class discussions: 20 points

  • Active Participation includes: Writing assignments in class

  • Preparation of assigned texts & active participation in discussions

  • Portfolio Tasks: 50 points

  • Expert Presentation or individual project presentation: 30 points

Examination topics

Input phases in combination with group work and in-class discussion

  • Student input from your expert session or your individual presentation

  • Students' research projects (portfolio and expert presentation)

  • The portfolio includes 1) one oral exam, 2) peer-feedback workshop, 3) two written assignments

Reading list

Primary materials that we will work with will be provided on the Moodle platform or in individual sessions (also by participants themselves).

Recommended Readings:

  • Booth, Wayne C., et al. The Craft of Research. 5th ed. University of Chicago Press, 2024.

  • Fabb, Nigel, and Alan Durant. How to Write Essays and Dissertations: A Guide for English Literature Students. 2. ed. New York: Routledge, 2005. Online Edition.

  • Katz, Louise. Critical Thinking and Persuasive Writing for Postgraduates. Macmillan Study Skills. Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.

  • Wisker, Gina. The Postgraduate Research Handbook. 2nd ed. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.

Association in the course directory

Studium: MA 844(2)
Code/Modul: MA 2.1
Lehrinhalt: 12-0116

Last modified: Su 31.08.2025 18:26