MES4000 – Theory, Methodology and Project Description in Middle East- and South Asia Studies
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The aim of the course is to prepare students for their master-thesis. The course has three integrated parts: Project description, method and theory.
Project description means that the participants design their own project proposals. This implies to formulate a problem formulation and research hypothesis, a separate theoretical and/or analytical approach, a methodological plan and a timeline.
Method means that students learn about the basic methodological approaches within area studies and the humanistic sciences. This include discourse analysis, historical methods, fieldwork methods, linguistic methods and literature studies methods.
Theory in this context means to learn what theory means within different scientific disciplines, and the relation between theory, methodology and interpretation in the humanistic sciences.
Learning outcome
The participants will learn:
- How to conduct research on and in the Middle East and South Asia.
- How to make a project description. This includes formulating a research hypothesis and making this operational, designing a methodological scheme, and to apply theory.
- The main qualitative methods within humanistic science and areas studies. This include discourse analysis, historical methods, fieldwork methods, linguistic methods and literature studies methods.
- Philosophical aspects of knowledge production (epistemology) and the relation between methodology, theory, and interpretation.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
This course is not available for single course students.
This course is only available for students enrolled in the programme Asia and Middle East studies, programme option Middle East Studies and South Asian Culture and Society.
Teaching
The teaching is given as 20 lectures/seminars. The students are expected to participate actively with presentations and contributions during the seminars.
Five separate modules will be taught on methodology: discourse analysis, historical methodology, field work methods, linguistic methodology, and literature study’s methodology. The discourse analysis module is compulsory for all participants. In addition, students must choose two of the other modules. Information about the modules and how to register for them will be given in the first class.
In the beginning of the semester?there will be a 2-day seminar outside campus. More information will be given in class.?
Compulsory activities
- Presentation of a draft of the project description.
- Comment on other student’s project descriptions.
- A 2-day seminar off campus.
- Compulsory E-learning course in the protection of personal data (GDPR). The course will be given in Canvas.
Approved compulsory activity is valid for five semesters. Exceptions may occur if the subject changes the form of assessment, teaching plan or changes significantly in other ways.
Absence from compulsory activities
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.
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Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
The exam consists of two submissions. The first submission is the project description, which counts for 50% of the grade. The second submission consists of three shorter papers on method.
The project description should be about 8-10 pages (2300 characters per page, including spaces, line 1.5), not including references and front page. The references should not contain less than 500 pages. The references should be to relevant regional studies and theoretical and methodological sources.
The length of the method papers should be 3-5 pages each (details will be provided for each module).
You must submit the two exams in Inspera -?see guides for digital exams
You must fulfill the requirement of the compulsory activities in order to qualify for taking the exam.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.