240506 SE MM1 Defining an MA Thesis Project (2024S)
Continuous assessment of course work
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Summary
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).
- Registration is open from Th 01.02.2024 00:01 to Mo 26.02.2024 23:59
- Deregistration possible until Mo 18.03.2024 23:59
Registration information is available for each group.
Groups
Group 1
Participation at first session is obligatory!The lecturer can invite students to a grade-relevant discussion about partial achievements. Partial achievements that are obtained by fraud or plagiarized result in the non-evaluation of the course (entry 'X' in certificate). The plagiarism software 'Turnitin' will be used.
The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) for the attainment of partial achievements is only allowed if explicitly requested by the course instructor.
The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) for the attainment of partial achievements is only allowed if explicitly requested by the course instructor.
max. 25 participants
Language: English
LMS: Moodle
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
Participation at the first session is mandatory
Tuesday
05.03.
16:45 - 20:00
Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday
14.03.
16:45 - 20:00
Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Friday
22.03.
16:45 - 20:00
Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
Tuesday
16.04.
16:45 - 20:00
Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
Tuesday
23.04.
16:45 - 20:00
Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
Tuesday
14.05.
15:00 - 18:15
Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
N
Tuesday
21.05.
15:00 - 18:15
Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
group 1 / Manuela Ciotti:
1. Regular attendance (up to 1 session may be missed)
2. Active and critical engagement in the course discussions
3. Submission of assignments in preparation of the final presentation
4. Final presentation of the research project (the presentation will last for 10 minutes during which the student will introduce the research question, methods and theories; and will chair the discussion
4) Submission of a MA research proposal as final paper (8-10 pages) to be submitted by the 1st of July 2024
1. Regular attendance (up to 1 session may be missed)
2. Active and critical engagement in the course discussions
3. Submission of assignments in preparation of the final presentation
4. Final presentation of the research project (the presentation will last for 10 minutes during which the student will introduce the research question, methods and theories; and will chair the discussion
4) Submission of a MA research proposal as final paper (8-10 pages) to be submitted by the 1st of July 2024
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
group 1 / Manuela Ciotti:
For a positive grade, 51 % is required90-100 %= 1
77-89 %= 2
64-76 %= 3
51-63 %= 4
0-50 % = 5Written exams will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
-language and style (spelling and grammar)
-thorough understanding of the selected readings
-use of the literature (choice of relevant readings, accuracy of the citations and arguments)
-critical thinking and originality
-reflexivity
For a positive grade, 51 % is required90-100 %= 1
77-89 %= 2
64-76 %= 3
51-63 %= 4
0-50 % = 5Written exams will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
-language and style (spelling and grammar)
-thorough understanding of the selected readings
-use of the literature (choice of relevant readings, accuracy of the citations and arguments)
-critical thinking and originality
-reflexivity
Examination topics
group 1 / Manuela Ciotti:
Presentations, assignments, active participation in discussions and final papers
Presentations, assignments, active participation in discussions and final papers
Reading list
group 1 / Manuela Ciotti:
Students should read:Thomas S. Mullaney & Christopher Rea. 2022. Where Research Begins: Choosing a Research Project that Matters to You (and the World). Chicago and London: Chicago University PressAdditional readings might be assigned during the course.
Students should read:Thomas S. Mullaney & Christopher Rea. 2022. Where Research Begins: Choosing a Research Project that Matters to You (and the World). Chicago and London: Chicago University PressAdditional readings might be assigned during the course.
Group 2
Participation at first session is obligatory!The lecturer can invite students to a grade-relevant discussion about partial achievements. Partial achievements that are obtained by fraud or plagiarized result in the non-evaluation of the course (entry 'X' in certificate). The plagiarism software 'Turnitin' will be used.
The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) for the attainment of partial achievements is only allowed if explicitly requested by the course instructor.
The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) for the attainment of partial achievements is only allowed if explicitly requested by the course instructor.
max. 25 participants
Language: English
LMS: Moodle
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
UPDATE 07.03.2024: changed dates
UPDATE 06.05.2024: changed dates
Friday
01.03.
11:30 - 14:45
Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
Friday
08.03.
13:15 - 16:30
Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
Friday
15.03.
13:15 - 16:30
Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
Friday
22.03.
13:15 - 16:30
Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
Tuesday
09.04.
09:45 - 13:00
Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
N
Friday
24.05.
09:45 - 13:00
Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
Aims, contents and method of the course
The seminar aims to accompany the students in finding their research topic, at the beginnings of its framing within literature and developing an initial research design. The focus will be on formulating a researchable topic, embedding it into a possible theoretical framework and literature and reflection on the ethical questions related to the topic and the research. The students are expected to work on their research ideas and present them in class as well as to comment on their peers’ research “proposals”.
The aim of the course is an understanding of the initial stages of proposal writing for ethnographic research. By the end of this course the students are expected to submit a first draft of their future MA research proposal.
Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course, the students are expected to have learned the process of finding a research topic and research question for their MA thesis together with its bottlenecks; how to embed the topic within existing scholarship; to have identified possible methods and the research design.
Structure: This class will be based on hands-on tasks related to finding a research topic/question and research design. The classes will start with short lectures and the presentation/discussion of the assigned texts and the second half of the class would be on the hands-on assignments and their discussion.
The aim of the course is an understanding of the initial stages of proposal writing for ethnographic research. By the end of this course the students are expected to submit a first draft of their future MA research proposal.
Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course, the students are expected to have learned the process of finding a research topic and research question for their MA thesis together with its bottlenecks; how to embed the topic within existing scholarship; to have identified possible methods and the research design.
Structure: This class will be based on hands-on tasks related to finding a research topic/question and research design. The classes will start with short lectures and the presentation/discussion of the assigned texts and the second half of the class would be on the hands-on assignments and their discussion.
Assessment and permitted materials
Requirements for the course completion:
1) Regular attendance and active participation in the class 20% (20 points max)
2) Development and presentation of their own project 20% (20 points max)
3) Commenting on other participants' research projects 20% (20 points max)
3) Research proposal draft 40% (40 points max).For the completion of the written task every means can be used with the exception of Artificial Intelligence tools such as CHatGPT.
1) Regular attendance and active participation in the class 20% (20 points max)
2) Development and presentation of their own project 20% (20 points max)
3) Commenting on other participants' research projects 20% (20 points max)
3) Research proposal draft 40% (40 points max).For the completion of the written task every means can be used with the exception of Artificial Intelligence tools such as CHatGPT.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
To pass the course students must reach at least 60 points with all components being completed in a positive way.
91-100 points: 1 (excellent)
81-90 points: 2 (good)
71-80 points: 3 (satisfactory)
60-70 points: 4 (sufficient)Written assignments will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
-language and style (spelling and grammar)
-use of the literature (choice of relevant readings, accuracy of citations and arguments)
-organisation of the arguments
-critical thinking and originality
-reflexivity
91-100 points: 1 (excellent)
81-90 points: 2 (good)
71-80 points: 3 (satisfactory)
60-70 points: 4 (sufficient)Written assignments will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
-language and style (spelling and grammar)
-use of the literature (choice of relevant readings, accuracy of citations and arguments)
-organisation of the arguments
-critical thinking and originality
-reflexivity
Examination topics
Presentations of students' own research ideas, peer reviewing of other students' work, active participation and assigned readings.
Reading list
Thomas S. Mullaney & Christopher Rea. 2022. Where Research Begins: Choosing a Research Project that Matters to You (and the World). Chicago and London: Chicago University Press. The chapters will be specified.
Kelly, Tobias. “Getting Started: The Search for Anthropological Questions.“ In Doing Anthropological Research, edited by Natalie Konopinski , 6-20. London: Routledge, 2014.
Jefferey, Laura and Natalie Konopinski, “Planning Your Research Project.“ In Doing Anthropological Research, edited by Natalie Konopinski, 21–36. London: Routledge, 2014.
Thin, Neil. “On the Primary Importance of Secondary Research. “In: Doing Anthropological Research, edited by Natalie Konopinski, 37-54. London: Routledge, 2014.
Kelly, Tobias. “Getting Started: The Search for Anthropological Questions.“ In Doing Anthropological Research, edited by Natalie Konopinski , 6-20. London: Routledge, 2014.
Jefferey, Laura and Natalie Konopinski, “Planning Your Research Project.“ In Doing Anthropological Research, edited by Natalie Konopinski, 21–36. London: Routledge, 2014.
Thin, Neil. “On the Primary Importance of Secondary Research. “In: Doing Anthropological Research, edited by Natalie Konopinski, 37-54. London: Routledge, 2014.
Association in the course directory
Last modified: Mo 06.05.2024 10:06
This course trains students to design an MA thesis. By submitting assignments, presentations, and plenary discussions, the course aims to guide students with the formulation of a research question, the methods needed to address it, the selection of relevant theoretical frameworks, the ethical dimensions of the project, and the planning of fieldwork research.