Prospectus

nl en

MA Thesis African Studies

Course
2024-2025

Admission requirements

The MA thesis African Studies is a compulsory element of the MA African Studies and only open to students that have been admitted in this programme.

Description

The MA thesis is an academic essay, written by the student based on the empirical data gained during a ten-week Embedded Research Project with a societal organization working in or on Africa. Students write their thesis under the supervision of an individual academic supervisor in the African Studies Centre Leiden or wider within Leiden University. In addition, the student participates in the Thesis Seminar course. The thesis may, in consultation with the academic supervisor, include a multimedial part such as a documentary, website, game or a combination.

The Embedded Research Project is based on an approved research proposal by the academic supervisor, the organization supervisor, and the course coordinator of Africa in Practice.

The thesis for the African Studies MA programme should as a rule not exceed a maximum of 20,000 words excluding notes, bibliography and appendices.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, students have proven able to:

  • Conduct independent empirical (fieldwork) research;

  • Develop an academic argument based on empirical (fieldwork) data;

  • Apply theoretical perspectives to empirical findings;

  • Analyze existing literature in a critical manner;

  • Integrate methodological approaches and the analysis of empirical data.

  • Reflect on one’s own positionality and experiences in the field.

  • Report research findings in an academically sound manner.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

MA Thesis

Assessment method

Assessment

A completed MA Thesis.

The thesis will be assessed on the following criteria:
**1. Knowledge and insight: **

Contents, relation to the field:

  • The research question is based on a problem that reflects insight into the key discussions and methods of the field;

  • Clarity, relevance, and definition of the problem;

  • Embedding in the existing literature;

  • Originality.

**2. Application knowledge and insight: **

Methodology:

  • Originality / innovativeness of research subject;

  • Putting into practice and usage of concepts;

  • Application of knowledge and insight into (unfamiliar) circumstances within a broader (or multidisciplinary) context;

  • Usage secondary sources which are meant for an advanced academic audience;

  • Usage effective research methods.

  • Description and justification of the adopted method;

  • Critical analysis of the material and sources (quality of the analysis);

**3. Reaching conclusions: **

Interpretation, argumentation, conclusion:

  • Logical and consistent reasoning; conclusions are well-founded and follow logically from the presented material;

  • The degree to which the thesis question is actually answered;

  • Degree to which results are connected to other and future research;

  • Critical reflection on the own role as researcher (social and ethical responsibilities);

  • Critical reflection on the existing theories and methods in the field, which push back the frontiers of knowledge;

  • Innovativeness of findings;

  • If applicable: social and ethical aspects taken into consideration in reaching a conclusion.

**4. Communication: **

Writing and multi-modal communication skills, structure:

  • Language use (language of instruction and/ or target language of the programme: degree of linguistic competence, readability, style, spelling, grammar, use and explanation correct terminology);

  • Where applicable: use of multi-modal communication techniques

  • Structure and layout of the thesis (division into chapters and sections, table of contents, used illustrations);

  • Apparatus including annotations (correct use of reference guidelines, completeness of references, bibliography, etc.).

**5. Learning skills: **

Process with:

  • Degree of independence;

  • Planning and time management;

  • Handling feedback supervisors;

  • Participation in thesis seminar course.

Deadline of submission is 1 July. Later submission is only allowed with permission from the academic supervisor. The academic supervisor and a second reader (appointed by the Board of Examiners of African Studies) will use an online assessment form to grade the thesis. During the academic year, the thesis will be graded within four weeks. Between 1 June and 31 August it may take six weeks at the most. The academic supervisor is in charge of the evaluation process.

Weighing

To complete the final mark, please take notice of the following:

The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.

Resit

-

Inspection and feedback

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Reading list

-

Registration

Not applicable.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Reuvensplaats

Remarks

-