English, Bachelor's Thesis in Literature, 15 Credits

Contents

An independent study of a delimited research question in English literary studies. The study is presented in English in the form of a thesis comprising approximately 10.000 words which adheres to generally accepted research principles regarding content and format. The course also includes feedback on other students' theses. The choice of topic is made in consultation with the supervisor.

The course is divided into three modules:

Module 1: Research plan, 2 credits
Problem formulation and design of a research plan and a preliminary biography

Module 2: Implementation of the research project, 5 credits
Presentation and defence of a carefully prepared draft of their own thesis at a seminar, and opposition on the work of another student.
 
Module 3: Research report, 8 credits
An independent project in English literary studies based on the approved research plan, and opposition on another student's thesis.

Expected learning outcomes

To be awarded a Pass grade, the student should be able to:
 
Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate appropriate subject knowledge and a basic understanding of key concepts
• demonstrate a relevant and up-to-date knowledge base in their choice of research literature
• demonstrate appropriate methodological knowledge

Competence and skills

• formulate a clear aim and researchable questions
• choose and apply research methods on the basis of the purpose and the research questions
• gather and analyze material in an adequate manner on the basis of the research questions
• critically discuss the presented research literature
• draw reasonable conclusions from the results of their work and discuss these on the basis of the selected theory background or some other academic context
• present and discuss their results in correct English with due observance of established academic conventions in the field  
• clearly state how the study is delimited
• format the layout of the text, including references, in accordance with established conventions
• critically and constructively examine other students' theses

Judgement and approach

• motivate the choices made from academic and, where relevant, also from social and/or ethical, perspectives
• place their study in an academic and, where relevant, social context
• discuss the value and relevance, as well as the limitations, of their study in a wider academic and, where relevant, social context
• discuss the conclusions of the thesis and describe how the study might be developed in a wider context.

Required Knowledge

Univ: At least 75 ECTS in the academic subject English, including 15 ECTS with academic progression (corresponding to level 61-90 hp in the Swedish academic system), and of the latter at least 7.5 ECTS must be in English literature, or equivalent knowledge.

Form of instruction

Teaching is conducted in English and consists of an introduction to the work on the thesis, individual tutoring and compulsory seminars.  

The course is wholly or partly net-based and comprises three compulsory seminars. These can be attended online, but physical presence is recommended for the final seminar.

Examination modes

All examination is conducted in English.

Module 1: Research plan, 2 credits
Examination consists of assessment of the research plan by the examiner.

Module 2: Implementation of the research project, 5 credits
Examination consists of assessment of the preliminary research report by the supervisor.
 
Module 3: Research report, 8 credits
Examination consists of assessment of the finished thesis. Students must have presented and defended a thesis which meets the requirements of the expected learning outcomes and acted as the opponent on another thesis. The assessment is done by the examiner.  
 
The examiner can decide on deviations from the modes of examination in the syllabus for a student who has been determined eligible for pedagogical support due to a disability. Individual adjustments to the mode of examination will be made on the basis of the student's needs. The mode of examination will be adjusted in relation to the expected learning outcomes. Student in need of Individual adjustments to the mode of examination, should request this at the department no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner makes a decision based on the request, and the decision is communicated to the student.

In order to commence studies on Module 2, students must have achieved a Pass grade in Module 1, and to be awarded a Pass grade in Module 3, they must have achieved that grade in Module 2.

Grades awarded in Modules 1 and 2 are Pass (Godkänd (G)) or Fail (Underkänd (U)). Grades awarded in Module 3 are Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd (VG)), Pass (Godkänd (G)) or Fail (Underkänd (U)).

Grades awarded for the whole course are Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd (VG)) or Pass (Godkänd (G)). In order to be awarded a Pass with distinction on the whole course, a student must have achieved this grade in Module 3.  

A student who has been awarded a Pass grade cannot be re-examined.
 
A student who has not received a Pass grade on an exam has the right to re-take the exam (a re-sit) on a course on which they have ever been registered. The first re-sit shall be offered no later than two months after the regular exam, but no earlier than ten working days after the result of that exam has been announced. For tests held in May or June, the first re-sit may be offered within three months of the regular exam. The date for the re-sit shall be announced no later than in conjunction with the regular exam. At least one more re-sit shall be offered within a year of the regular exam.  
 
In cases where an exam cannot be repeated according to the rules in effect regarding re-sits, it will be replaced with another task. The scope and content of such a task should be reasonably proportionate to the missed exam.
 
An examiner may decide that a student who has not quite met the examination requirements, but is close to a Pass grade, be given the opportunity to take a supplementary examination to achieve the Pass grade. Such an examination shall be individually tailored to the goal(s) that the student has not met, and shall be arranged within two weeks after the result of the examination has been announced, but before the next examination session. A supplementary examination can only raise a Fail grade to a Pass grade; award of a grade higher than Pass is not allowed. If the student so wishes, they have the right to take a re-sit instead of a supplementary examination, which gives them the opportunity to achieve a Pass with Distinction.

Other regulations

The final date for the submission/completion of assignments falls on the last day of the semester, unless otherwise stated by the teacher. All assignments need to be completed or submitted within the time frame set by the teacher in order to be considered for examination, otherwise they must be completed over again.

In the event of a decision that the course will no longer be offered, or if the syllabus has been revised, students are guaranteed at least three exams (including the regular one) based on the previous syllabus during a time of no more than two years after the previous syllabus ceased to apply or the decision was made that the course no longer be offered.