ENG4000 – Thesis Writing for English Literature, American and British Studies
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course prepares you for writing a master’s thesis by introducing you to the basics of research methods within literary studies and American and British area studies. This includes finding and evaluating source material, best practices for argumentative and critical writing, research and writing ethics, developing a thesis topic and argument, and writing a final thesis proposal.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you will:
- have knowledge of key methods and practices involved in the writing of your M.A. thesis,
- understand the genre expectations of an M.A. thesis in ENGLABS and the conventions of academic argument,
- understand best practices and ethical imperatives related to working with source materials and developing your own scholarship,
- know how to write a proposal for your M.A. thesis.
Admission to the course
This course is only open for students who are admitted to the program "English Literature, American and British Studies" and "lektorprogrammet med masterspesialisering i engelsk".
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with ENG4393 – Thesis Writing for Literature in English (continued).
- 5 credits overlap with ENG4391 – Writing a Thesis on a Literary Topic (continued).
Teaching
Seminars, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. 20 hours total.
Students should choose a seminar group based on the type of thesis they would like to write. If you plan to write a thesis in English-language Literature, you should choose the Literature seminar group (LIT). If you plan to write a thesis in American or British Studies, you should choose the Area Studies seminar group (AREA).
- Drafts of all assignments in the portfolio must be submitted by dates specified during the semester. Requirements and details to be distributed by the instructor. Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.
- It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 5 out of 8 lectures and 4 out of 6 seminars. The requirement is absolute.
The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.
If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.
If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.
In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accommodations.
These obligatory activities must be approved for you to qualify to submit the final portfolio. Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.
Examination
The form of assessment is a portfolio consisting of several written works. All of the individual assignments have to be approved in order to pass the exam.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Since this exam is a portfolio, you must follow the classes and write new papers in order to qualify.
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.