Prospectus

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MA Thesis Latin American Studies (Research)

Course
2017-2018

Admission requirements

To be a registered as a student of the Research Master Latin American Studies.

Description

Writing of a Master thesis based on the fieldwork research made in Latin America or the Caribbean region.

The thesis is a written report of research which the student has carried out under supervision by a lecturer but with a high degree of independence. In principle, the thesis must be of sufficient quality (possibly following some modifications) to be published in an academic journal in the relevant field.

Course objectives

The thesis must demonstrate among others that the student is able to:
a. Completely independently formulate a research question which displays insight into the methodological principles, central issues and state of the art of his or her field of research;
b. Independently formulate a realistic research plan which fulfils the criteria set in the relevant field of research;
c. Critically and analytically report on existing academic debates and propose creative solutions based on secondary literature;
d. Apply the more complex concepts/methods of his or her field to a corpus of primary source material (whether existing or collected during the student’s own research);
e. Formulate ideas clearly and correctly.

Ability to translate a bulk of self-collected information into a logically structured academic written work. Ability to make a critical assessment of theories and scholarly interpretations in the light of the empirical evidence recollected during the own investigation.

Timetable

This master thesis has to be written following the conduction of the fieldwork in Latin America or the Caribbean.

Mode of instruction

Regular meetings with supervisor to discuss progress in the writing process.

Assessment method

Writing of a thesis based on fieldwork data and literature study with a maximum of 30,000 words including notes, bibliography and appendices.

In the manual for writing the thesis, you will find important information regarding rules and regulations surrounding the thesis. All students are advised to read the manual before they start with the thesis.

  • Students who want to graduate before 31 January 2017 need to submit their thesis before 7 December 2016.

  • Students who want to graduate before 31 August 2017 need to submit their thesis before 7 June 2017.

Blackboard

Not applicable.

Reading list

Literature connected to the specific subject of the thesis’s project.

Registration

You do not have to register for the thesis in uSis.

Contact information

Not applicable