Master’s Thesis

2023/2024

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Objectives

The objective of the module is that students demonstrate their ability to identify a problem within development and international relations and independently structure a project analyzing this problem at a specialised level.

Contents

The fourth semester of the Master’s programme is reserved for writing the thesis; students will work in detail on an issue related to development studies and international relations.The semester coordinator must approve the topic of the thesis, and a deadline for submission will be set. If students have opted for a full specialisation within Chinese Area Studies, Latin American Area Studies, Global Gender Studies or Global Refugee Studies, the topic of the thesis must be within the chosen specialisation.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

  • possess in-depth knowledge of theories and practices within the chosen problem field of the thesis and can reflect on these on a scientific basis
  • possess in-depth knowledge about the empirical context of the chosen problem field of the thesis
  • are able to identify, reproduce and explain issues within the chosen field of the thesis on the basis of different perspectives and theories.

Skills

  • can conduct research independently on the basis of the subject’s theories and methods
  • can combine various disciplines and research methods related to development studies and international relations and reflect on the interdisciplinary process
  • can apply theory on the chosen topic of the thesis in specific problems/situations
  • can conduct advanced analysis and are able to work from different academic perspectives
  • can select relevant theory, method and tools for the chosen topic in a critical manner and suggest (new) solution models on a scientific basis
  • can articulate and communicate different types of arguments related to the fields of development studies and international relations
  • can communicate and discuss their knowledge of the chosen topic with both peers and non-specialists.

Competences

  • can identify relevant problems within the field of development and international relations and approach them in a structured manner.
  • can combine various disciplines and research methods related to development studies and international relations
  • can argue on the basis of scientific knowledge
  • can organize collection and analysis of data on issues related to development and international relations.
  • can take independent responsibility for their own academic development and specialisation within their chosen problem field.

Type of instruction

The Master’s thesis will be written on the basis of supervision, but students must organise their own thesis process and choose their topic/problem and find relevant literature and source material of their own accord.

Exam

Prerequisite for enrollment for the exam

  • All previous modules must have been passed in order for students to take the examination of Master's Thesis.

Exams

Name of examMaster’s Thesis
Type of exam
Master's thesis/final project
Master’s Thesis will be completed by an externally assessed oral examination on the basis of the submitted written thesis, which may have been prepared individually or in cooperation with other students. The examination will take the form of a conversation between the student(s), the examiner and the external examiner on the basis of the Master’s thesis written by the student(s).

Thesis length:
One student: 35 – 70 pages
Two students: 50 – 100 pages
Three students: 65 – 130 pages
Four or more students : 80 – 130 pages

Proportional weighting: The Master’s thesis/the written work is considered the shared responsibility of the group. The Master’s thesis constitutes the basis for the examination and assessment of the oral performance.
ECTS30
Assessment7-point grading scale
Type of gradingExternal examination
Criteria of assessmentThe criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures

Facts about the module

Danish titleMaster’s Thesis
Module codeDIRGRS025
Module typeProject
Duration1 semester
SemesterSpring
ECTS30
Language of instructionEnglish
Location of the lectureCampus Aalborg, Campus Copenhagen
Responsible for the module

Organisation

Study BoardStudy Board of Politics and Society
DepartmentDepartment of Politics and Society
FacultyFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities