Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Objectives 

The objective of the module is: 

• To enable students to identify a relevant problem within the subject area of the study program and independently structure and carry out a project analyzing this problem at a specialized level. 

• To enable the students to communicate their findings to an academic audience in the form of a master’s thesis. 

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 international relations. The semester coordinator must approve the topic of the thesis, and a deadline for submission will be set.  

If the student is collaborating with an external organization during the writing of the Master’s thesis, the master thesis may include a product produced in collaboration with the external partner. The product must be related to the problem formulation as well as the theoretical and methodological framework of the thesis. The nature of the product must be approved by the supervisor.  

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• theories and practices within the chosen problem field of the thesis  

• empirical context of the chosen problem field of the thesis 

Skills

• are able to identify, analyze and explain issues within the chosen field of the thesis on the basis of different perspectives, approaches and theories  

• can conduct research independently on the basis of the subject’s theories and methods 

• can combine various disciplines and research methods related to international relations and reflect on interdisciplinary perspectives 

• can select relevant theory, methods, and tools for the chosen topic in a critical manner  

• can apply theory on the chosen topic of the thesis to analyze a specific problem 

• can articulate and communicate different types of arguments related to the field of international relations to an academic audience 

Competences

• can identify relevant problems within the field of international relations, approach them in a structured and independent manner, and analyze them from a variety of perspectives  

• can combine various disciplines and research methods related to international relations 

• can organize collection and analysis of empirical data on issues related to international relations  

• can reflect and argue on the basis of scientific knowledge 

• 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 independently and find relevant literature and empirical 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