Admission requirements
This course is intended for MA students in North American Studies.
Description
Students will be guided through the process of writing their MA thesis through group discussions in a thesis seminar and regular individual meetings with their thesis supervisor.
In the first semester we will meet four times in a seminar setting to discuss digital research databases such as the MLA bibliography, America: History and Life, and the Lexis-Nexis Congressional Database and the Slavery and Abolition Database. The main focus will be on research methods, academic writing skills, possible thesis topics, narrowing down topics, draft thesis proposals and thesis planning and supervision.
In the second semester, there will be regular seminar meetings to discuss thesis proposals, productive thesis statements, draft introductions and individual chapters, which students are asked to submit electronically on Blackboard via Discussion Board for in-class discussion and peer-feedback.
Once students have chosen a thesis supervisor, regular individual meetings will also be scheduled to discuss progress and provide feedback on written chapters.
Course objectives
Students learn:
to practise research methods and skills, including use of digital databases to locate primary and secondary sources and correct use of citation styles (MLA, Chicago/Turabian, etc.);
how to write a thesis research proposal;
thesis planning and academic writing skills in English.
Timetable
See timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar.
Course load
Not applicable.
Assessment method
Students have to submit (draft) thesis proposals, thesis introductions, bibliographies, and thesis chapters for in-class discussion (Discussion Board Blackboard).
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used as resource and for submission of and feedback on thesis drafts.
Reading list
Not applicable.
Registration
Via uSis.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Remarks
Attendance is required for MA students in North American Studies. Class attendance and active participation will be taken into account in the assessment of the MA thesis
Contact
Mw. Dr. J.C. (Joke) Kardux (Coordinator)
Dhr. Dr. E.F. (Eduard) van de Bilt