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 African Studies is the final academic essay of the MA African Studies, independently written by the student. Based on a methodologically sound research question, students apply, combine, critically evaluate and reflect in their thesis on main theories, key concepts and methodological approaches and techniques of two disciplines in African Studies (History, Political Science, Economics, Human Geography, Literature, Linguistics, and Anthropology) in relation to the academic literature and empirical data set they constructed in their ten-week Embedded Research Project. By formulating answers to the research question, the thesis demonstrates their advanced knowledge and understanding of at least two mentioned disciplines in African Studies and shows the student's ability to work with a complex body of sources of diverse nature and present one’s analysis in written form. In their thesis, students critically analyse one’s positionality in relation to specific questions/fields within African Studies and they indicate how their thesis findings can contribute to specific academic or practitioners’ fields.
Students write their thesis under the supervision of an individual academic supervisor in the African Studies Centre Leiden or wider within Leiden University, and with a high degree of independence. In addition, the student participates in the course MA Thesis Seminar African Studies. The thesis may, in consultation with the academic supervisor, include a multimedia part such as a documentary, website, game or a combination.
The Embedded Research Project is based on a research proposal approved by the academic supervisor and the Board of Examiners of African Studies.
The thesis for the African Studies MA programme should be 15,000-20,000 words including notes, bibliography and appendices.
The Master’s Thesis Regulations set out matters concerning, among other things, planning, supervision and assessment of the master’s thesis. You will find these regulations as an appendix to the Faculty’s Course and Examination Regulations for the master's programmes
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students have proven able to:
Conduct independent and original empirical (fieldwork) research;
Analyze existing literature in a critical manner;
Independently develop an academic argument based on empirical (fieldwork) data by applying and integrating theoretical insights, key concepts and methodological approaches of at least two disciplines in African Studies (History, Political Science, Economics, Human Geography, Literature, Linguistics, and Anthropology) from existing academic literature and secondary sources that are meant for an advanced academic audience to empirical findings.
Critically reflect on one’s own positionality and experiences in the field.
Write and present their academic argument in an academically sound manner and which demonstrates logical and consistent reasoning and proper language use.
Integrate feedback from academic supervisors.
Adhere to a realistic time schedule, keep to arrangements with the academic supervisor, and perform good time management.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
MA Thesis
Assessment method
Assessment
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, using the criteria listed above. 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.
For more information about thesis assessment (including assessment procedure, criteria and forms) see the document at the bottom of the Faculty’s webpage about Thesis and papers
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
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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
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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
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