Course Objectives

Course: Master’s thesis (60 ECTS)

The aim in writing the master’s thesis is that the student will be able to:

• problematise a theme, delimit it and focus on the material which needs to be examined.
• position the project within a context of scientific theory.
• plan and choose an appropriate strategy and methodology.
• carry out a large project; collect, prepare, discuss and assess the material.
• present and document the work carried out so that others at a similar level may follow the documentation.

Course Description

The Master’s Thesis may be characterised as a research process carried out by means of aesthetic, creative and practical work, theory of art and pedagogy/didactics, in which the thesis question governs the work process. The thesis should comprise a whole in which aesthetic and creative work and reflection complement each other. A didactic component should be included in the thesis, if the thesis does not include a didactic perspective.

The content of the thesis shall consist of:

• formulation of a thesis question
• an account of the thesis’s position in relation to the chosen field and scientific theory
• choice and justification of strategy and methodology
• clarification of the relevant content and important concepts
• completion of a project with the help of sources and the student’s own observations/work
• appropriate theoretical, practical and aesthetic documentation
• subject didactics perspective
• discussion of results

The thesis should be effectively organised and should include a clear, visual presentation in relation to images, the summary and the exhibition of the aesthetic, creative work. The sources used in the writing of the thesis and summary must be cited according to a recognised style.

Learning Methods

Writing the Master’s thesis is an individual and independent study.

The course is Internet based. The students will be able to keep contact with Telemark University College from their homes using the web-based learning platform Classfronter, and other Internet facilities such as Skype and MSN to communicate/talk with. In addition, 2-3 workshops will be given each semester. The first workshop starts in early August.

The general part of the course is taught during the first, second and third semesters, when the student should make efforts to clarify the question that is to be examined; the formulation of the question; and the strategy that will be adopted for the thesis, so that the foundation is prepared with regard to the allocation of supervisors. This preliminary work will be carried out partly as part of the joint teaching, group discussions and under individual supervision, and as a pilot project, Project 4, within the course unit, ‘The Aesthetic and Creative Area’, within the general part of the programme. The project description and the formulation of the thesis question must be approved by the teaching team, and a seminar will be given in connection with the approval. After the approval, each student will normally be allocated with two supervisors, who guide the project after this point. The student is responsible for taking the initiative for the supervision and he/she is also responsible for all the work carried out on the Master’s thesis. Students receive a maximum of 30 hours supervision. A supervision-agreement will be drafted.

During the fourth, fifth and sixth semesters three Master’s degree’ seminars with different approaches will be held. During the seminars, presentations from the candidates will form the basis for discussions between scientific personnel and the candidates.

The Master’s Thesis must be submitted in the sixth semester. A four-page summary of the Master’s Thesis must be submitted one week before the final oral examination. The summary will be entered into the department’s database.

Obligatory studies

• Preparatory supervision
• Seminars and joint discussions

Assessment Methods

The Master’s Thesis should be completed before the end of the sixth semester. The following parts will be assessed:

• The thesis
• Exhibition of practical, aesthetic, creative work
• Final oral examination
• 4-page summary (which will be included in the database)

The final assessment will be subject to an overall assessment in which the thesis and exhibition will be given most emphasis.

The assessment will be carried out by a committee which will consist of both internal and external examiners.

The following will be entered on the diploma:

• grades for:
  
  • the General Part
  • the Master’s Thesis
• the title of the Master’s Thesis

Please refer to Telemark University College’s Examination Regulation for further information.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean