Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The Master’s thesis is based on a subject that the student is free to select as long as they are relatable to the central disciplinary areas of the programme.

The Master’s thesis topic must be approved by the study board. Students must submit a structured thesis contract outlining and justifying a preliminary problem formulation as well theoretical framing and methodological points of departure. The contract also presents a commitment to the submission deadline as set by the study board.

Students who have chosen the specialisation in Global Tourism Development or Arctic Studies must write their thesis within this area and obtain approval from the study board as well as the specialisation responsible.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• extensive theoretical, methodological and empirical knowledge related to one or more topics covered in the Tourism Programme
• deeper and broader knowledge and understanding of relevant research literature in the area of Tourism.

Skills

• formulating a clearly defined problem within the chosen topic area that has academic and practical relevance
• providing an extensive and critical review and discussion of relevant research literature, and critically reflecting on relevant theories and concepts
• developing and applying an appropriate methodological approach to collect relevant empirical material
• producing a critical and clear analysis of empirical material, using relevant theories and concepts
• producing a clearly presented and coherent written project report that complies with academic standards for analysis, argumentation and documentation
• reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of the project as well as potential applications and/or implications of its findings for tourism stakeholders such as business, government, NGOs or civil society.

Competences

• independently designing and managing larger and more complex research projects
• collaborating with others to achieve goals, giving and receiving constructive feedback and drawing on partners’ knowledge and skills
• summarising and synthesising research clearly in oral and written form
• upholding high standards in relation to research ethics, data collection, storage and processing
• reflecting on work processes, collaborative dynamics and learning
• relating topic specific knowledge and research findings to broader academic and societal debates
• continuing own competency development.

Type of instruction

Type of instruction is described in § 17 in the curriculum.

Extent and expected workload

30 ECTS

Exam

Exams