Course content

The aim of this course is to help students choose a topic for their bachelor’s thesis and begin initial coordination with a supervisor, while introducing students to the academic genre, including the character of academic texts, their purpose, structure and language, and finding and handling sources. In addition, students will be introduced to standards concerning academic language, writing processes, and techniques. Students will acquire knowledge about academic writing, including addressing typical language errors and weaknesses in student writing.

Students will ultimately develop a project outline as a starting point for their bachelor’s theses. The project outline should have a well-founded research question or a clear thesis statement and/or hypothesis/es. The student will describe the methods, source materials, and other materials they anticipate using in the project. The final project description will include a plan for work on the project, documentation of relevant literature, and a bibliography.

Learning outcome

Candidates who have passed this course
- have an understanding of basic ethical standards of research and scientific requirements;
- are able to find and identify relevant primary and secondary sources, and can use library resources effectively and appropriately;
- can handle sources appropriately, including appropriate citation/referencing techniques;
- are able to carry out a literature review, including source criticism where appropriate, for the bachelor's thesis and the chosen topic;
- have recognition and knowledge of the characteristics and structure of an academic text;
- have knowledge of different writing processes and techniques;
- are able to design an independent research project;
- are able to examine and consider methodological problems in relation to the research;
- are able to prepare and present a project outline.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, seminars, supervision. Students are required to use the course learning platform regularly.
Approved obligatory assignment is valid for 2 semesters (the semester in which the approval is given, plus the following semester).

Obligatory assignments: 1-2 written assignments, potentially in combination with other forms of assessment (e.g. online quizzes).

Compulsory assignments

• 1-2 written assignments, potentially in combination with other forms of assessment (e.g. online quizzes)

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Completed all courses at ENG1000-level in the bachelor's programme in English or equivalent approved education.

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to the bachelor's programme in foreign languages, study option English (BENG)

Course materials

Curriculum/reading list will be announced at the beginning of the semester.