Course - Master Thesis in Ethics - FI3201
Master Thesis in Ethics
New from the academic year 2025/2026
Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
About
About the course
Course content
Engelsk
Students decide on the topic and readings for the master thesis in agreement with a supervisor. The standard duration of the study is two semesters. The master thesis should document the student's ability to work independently with a philosophical problem. Clarity and coherence of argumentation and exposition are emphasised.
Learning outcome
According to the course curriculum, a candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome (defined as knowledge and skills):
Knowledge
- The candidate has comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of a particular topic/problem area, or a particular philosopher/topic in the history of philosophy.
Skills:
The candidate has the ability to
- delimit, plan and implement a major written work, with a clear research question and clear argumentation, under supervision
- orient themselves in an extensive literature, and find complementary literature of relevance to the chosen research question
- orally present either the framework of the thesis, or a specific chapter for discussion
- give a lecture on a topic related to the master's thesis
- defend the thesis orally
Learning methods and activities
Seminars and supervision. The master thesis is written in the 3rd and 4th semesters of study with normal progression. The project description (from FI3022 Project description) must be submitted to, and approved by, the supervisor before the student start writing the thesis (the project description must be approved by both the supervisor and the instructor of FI3022 if the student has been exempt from FI3022). In the 3rd semester, the candidate must present a chapter or part of his or her thesis at the masters seminar. Approved syllabus and abstract of the thesis (max. 1 page) is to be submitted three weeks before the submission of the thesis.
Please see link for the numbers of hours of supervision eligible for your master's thesis https://innsida.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/Norsk/Masteravtale+HF
Compulsory assignments
- Approved reading list
- Approved project description
- Abstract in Norwegian and English
- Oral presentation
- Participation in Master's seminar
- Submission of draft to supervisor
Further on evaluation
The master's thesis should be 24000-40000 words. The assessment of the thesis is divided in three steps: First, the thesis is submitted for assessment. Second, the student must give a trial lecture (45 min) on a given topic based on the selected readings. The topic of the trial lecture is given ten workdays before the lecture date. Third, there is an oral examination on the same day as the trial lecture. The final grade will be adjusted based on the student's performance in the oral examination.
The master’s thesis must include an abstract in both Norwegian and English.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Philosophy and Ethics (MFI)
Required previous knowledge
Requires admission to the master programme. FI3022 Project description.
Course materials
Students compose their reading list based on the offered teaching and/or in consultation with lecturer.
Subject areas
- Philosophy