Admission requirements
Students can only start with writing their thesis when they have 30 Credits.
Description
Aim of the Master’s Thesis
A thesis is an academic essay, written by the student in consultation with two supervisors. The thesis must show that the student is capable of analysing existing literature in a critical manner, and of conducting independent research. Moreover, this process must be recorded in an academically sound report.
Choosing a Topic
Generally speaking, students are encouraged to select the topic of their thesis themselves, based on a Master’s course that they followed. Another way of finding a topic is to consult the thesis archive of the department. In most cases, the first supervisor of the thesis will be the lecturer responsible for the Master’s course which inspired the thesis. In case of doubt, students can always consult the director of studies.
Students should approach the relevant lecturer and discuss with him/her the chosen topic and potential research question. The supervisor, also known as ‘first reader’, will undoubtedly be able to point to relevant secondary literature. A second reader is chosen in consultation with the supervisor. At this point, clear agreements are made concerning the supervision procedure.
At the heart of a Master’s thesis lies a research question, together with the answer to that question. Before a research question can be formulated, the student first has to do some preparatory reading. Formulating the research question is one of the most important components of research because this question forms the basis for all further activities. Half the time reserved for writing a Master’s thesis should be spent on reading secondary literature and formulating a research question.
Once the student has selected a topic, formulated a research question and put together a provisional bibliography, the thesis proposal submission form can be filled out. The submission form should include the title of the thesis, a provisional bibliography and a description of the topic. The form must be submitted to the board of examiners no later than three months before the planned graduation date. The board will then inspect the thesis proposal to ensure that it is of an appropriate academic level, that it contains no plagiarism, etc.
Research and Writing
Literature Survey
In principle, students will already have made a start on the literature survey in the course of formulating their provisional bibliography. This can be done systematically by consulting the University Library or the Royal Library catalogues, or through the ‘snowball effect’ (meaning through references in bibliographies to other sources and bibliographies). It is important to be very precise and systematic in writing down one’s sources, as much time can be wasted in having to look up sources and notes again at a later stage.
The MLA style sheet gives precise indications on the information which must be included in a bibliography.
Students should start out by formulating a clear plan for the structure of the thesis, in consultation with their supervisor. Only then can they begin writing. Questions of style will only become relevant at a later stage.
Keep in mind that information which could not be included in the thesis itself might come in handy during the defence.
Handing in a first part
The first chapter is handed in to the supervisor and discussed. It is not advisable to hand in the entire thesis in one piece.
Handing in the final version
Once the entire thesis is completed, the student should hand in two copies; one to each reader. Their comments must be integrated into the final version. The first reader then contacts the student and makes an appointment for the defence date.
Assessment
In assessing the quality of the thesis, the following aspects play an important role:
Formulating and analysing the research question;
Structure of the thesis;
Integration of secondary literature into the argument;
Good argumentation of student’s own arguments;
Style, use of language and lay-out, according to the MLA style sheet;
Defending of the contents of the thesis during the oral defence (students are expected to provide content answers to the questions asked during the defense, not just ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘I don’t know’).
Mode of instruction
Research
Assessment method
Thesis of approximately 20.000 words.
Blackboard
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Reading list
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Registration
A form is available a the departmental office.
Contact information
Ms Karin van der Zeeuw-Filemon, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 103C; Phone 071 527 2146.