Examination arrangement

Course content

This course consists of work on the master's thesis. The master's thesis is an independent academic research project that is original, critical, ethical, methodical, informed and clearly articulated, related to a topic relevant to arts and crafts. The research project can be theory-driven or practice-led, but the result to be evaluated is a written master's thesis. Supervision is an important element in the work on the master's thesis, and supervision is a compulsory part of the course.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate

• has advanced and independent knowledge within methodological, ethical and critical research work within the subject area
• has advanced knowledge of working with a clear research question within the subject area
• has thorough knowledge of academic writing and presentation
• has advanced knowledge of written and multimodal possibilities in the subject area's formats

Skills

The candidate

• can safely carry out and present a research project at master's level
• can safely present research results and theorize around the practice level or theory-driven research through academic writing at master's level
• can choose between available theoretical alternatives, read research material with theory and critically reflect on how theory informs choices during the research and writing processes
• can use reference systems in accordance with recognized standards
• can find and critically evaluate information in analogue and digital resources

General competence

The candidate

• is able to use supervision
• has thorough competence in dialogue with others about their own research results, as well as defending their own work
• can analyze and apply current theory in the field to contribute to new thinking and innovation processes at an advanced level
• can use their knowledge to strengthen, develop and work innovatively in the field

Learning methods and activities

The master's thesis is written individually. The learning methods consist of:

• Independent individual work under the supervision of a supervisor. Audits can take place individually or in groups.
• Two verbal presentations of the master's project in process, including opposition from fellow students' master's projects in process, midway and towards the end of the process.

All students must read, understand and sign a written agreement that regulates the master's thesis process. The agreement confirms that a supervision relationship has been established, that the topic has been approved by the supervisor and that the parts (student, supervisor and department) know, understand and have accepted the regulations specified in the agreement. Organization of collaboration with and research at institutions that are relevant to their own master's project must be arranged by the students themselves.

Compulsory assignments

• Mandatory activity 1
• Mandatory activity 2
• Mandatory activity 3

Further on evaluation

Mandatory activities

There are three compulsory activities in this topic. These compulsory activities must be approved in order to submit the exam papers. They are as follows:

Mandatory activity 1: Guidance

Compulsory activity 2: Participation in a mid-term seminar. Verbal presentation of the master's project in process including opposition from fellow students' master's projects in process. The preliminary written master's thesis must be submitted to a fellow student and supervisor before the mid-term seminar.

Compulsory activity 3: Participation in a final process seminar. Verbal presentation of the master's project in process including opposition from fellow students' master's projects in process. The preliminary master's thesis must be submitted to a fellow student and supervisor before the final process seminar.

Form of assessment and grading scale

The written master's thesis is considered an exam for this course. The master's thesis must be written in accordance with guidelines in line with the ILU requirements given by the course coordinator. The master's thesis is assessed through the letter grade A-F, where the grades A-E mean passed and F means failed.

The Master thesis is normally written as a monograph. The thesis is submitted individually or as joint work between two students. If the thesis is submitted as joint work, a document must be attached which describes the contribution of the individual candidate. This will normally involve individual assessment of the candidates.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

It is recommended that all courses in Arts and Crafts on 4th and 5th academic years of the study program are passed.

Required previous knowledge

Arts and Crafts 1 and Arts and Crafts 2 must be passed

Course materials

The final syllabus is posted on Blackboard before the start of studies.