Admission Requirements
This course is a compulsory element of the MA African Studies and only open to students that have been admitted in this programme.
Description
In the course Africa in Practice, the student will apply acquired scientific knowledge and skills by writing a research proposal for his/her thesis project, and by programme arranging and defining an embedded-research position of 10 weeks at an Africa-based or Africa-focused organization. The embedded research serves as a point of operational connection between the student and his/her research to practice and practitioners.The course has two interrelated components:
A component that guides the student through the organization of a 10-week embedded research in Africa and the writing of a plan for this research.
A component that guides the student through the various building blocks and writing of a research proposal, parts of which will be operationalized in the organisation where she/he will be embedded for the field research, and materials that forms the basis for writing the master thesis.
Both the embedded research plan and the research proposal are developed in close collaboration with the academic supervisor for the masters’ thesis at Leiden University.
Course objectives
The course Africa in Practice has the following objectives:
Applying knowledge and understanding
After the course the student has
a. the ability to translate acquired knowledge of relevant issues in African Studies in an embedded research position and an academic research proposal which forms the base for the master thesis.
b. the ability to develop and write a coherent and feasible proposal for embedded research
Ability to formulate judgements
After the course the student has
a. the ability to formulate judgements, based on a key question or problem which is central in the embedded research proposal, even where the student has insufficient or limited information due to lacunae in the data available;
b. can take into account social and cultural, academic and ethical aspects relevant to the embedded research proposal, and the formulation of judgements;
c. can reflect on moral issues relevant to the embedded research proposal and programme
Communication
After the course the student has:
a. acquired skills to clearly present her/his embedded research proposal in an academic setting and communicate her/his research internship plan to a non-academic audience.
b. a wider appreciation of the intercultural contexts that make or mar successful conduct of field research in Africa
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Lecture
Workshop
Tutorial
Assessment method
Assessment
Throughout the course the student will compile an individual portfolio that contains the following items:
Embedded Research proposal
Oral presentation research proposal
Intermediate assignments
After you have completed the portfolio you will receive an overall grade for the portfolio, which is a weighted average of the grades for the various components of the portfolio, combined with additional requirements.
Weighing
The student receives one grade for the portfolio which is a weighted average of the grades for the various components of the portfolio combined with additional requirements. The weighing of the grades for the components in the overall score is as follows:
Numerical grade for Embedded Research Proposal (50%)
Numerical grade for oral presentation (30%)
PASSES for submitted intermediate assignments (10%)
The lectures in the course have been attended (attendance will be registered – 10%)
The additional requirements for receiving the final grade are as follows:
The grades for the research proposal and the oral presentation need to be sufficient, that is, a 6.0 or above
Resit
Resits are possible for all components of the portfolio. A resit is not possible if a numerical grade for a component is 6.0 or above. The deadline for resits for the embedded research proposal, and oral presentation is in January.
Inspection and feedback
A student can request a review for inspection and feedback within 30 days after publication of the grade for a component and the overall score.
Reading list
The readings for this course will be indicated in the syllabus which will be published on Brightspace at a minimum of two weeks before the course starts.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
Contact
For questions related to the content of the course, please contact the lecturer, you can find their contact information by clicking on their name in the sidebar.
For questions regarding enrollment please contact the Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats
E-mail address Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats: osz-oa-reuvensplaats@hum.leidenuniv.nl
For questions regarding your studyprogress please contact the Coordinator of Studies
Remarks
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