Master's Thesis in Economic History, 15 credits

Contents

The course consists of an independently written Master's thesis in Economic History. Within the course, students undertake an original scholarly study based on a clearly formulated research problem, an appropriate research design, engagement with relevant theory and previous research, and rigorous analysis of historical empirical material.

The thesis shall demonstrate the student's ability to independently and critically analyse economic and social processes in historical perspective. Particular attention is given to the formulation of theoretically and historically informed explanations, the critical examination of assumptions and competing interpretations, and the relationship between empirical evidence and scholarly argument.

The thesis is situated within the broader profile of Critical Perspectives on the Economy. Research may therefore engage with questions concerning inequality, sustainability, crisis, power, institutions, economic change, and their historical development. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the ecological consequences of industrialisation; colonialism and resource extraction; the historical development of economic and social inequalities; labour markets, labour rights and welfare institutions; financial and economic crises; and conflicts and transformations within capitalist economies.

The thesis must be positioned in relation to relevant national and international research and make a clearly articulated scholarly contribution appropriate to the scope of a Master's thesis.

The course also includes the critical examination of another student's thesis (opposition) and the oral defence of the student's own thesis.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding
Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:
• demonstrate advanced knowledge of a defined field within Economic History and critically relate the thesis to relevant national and international research;
• demonstrate an advanced understanding of how historical perspectives can contribute to the analysis of economic and social processes, including issues related to inequality, sustainability and crisis;
• identify and critically discuss relevant theoretical perspectives, scholarly debates and competing explanations within the selected field of study.

Skills and Abilities
Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:
• independently formulate, delimit and justify a research problem and research question in Economic History;
• construct and justify a coherent research design in which research problem, theory, empirical material and method are appropriately connected;
• independently select, evaluate and apply relevant qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the collection and analysis of historical empirical material;
• systematically and accurately process and analyse empirical material and communicate the results in a well-structured scholarly thesis;
• position the findings in relation to previous research and clearly articulate the thesis’s scholarly contribution;
• orally defend the thesis and undertake a qualified and constructive critical examination of another student’s thesis.

Judgement and Approach
Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:
• demonstrate independence and critical judgement in the selection and evaluation of research problems, theoretical perspectives, methods, sources and interpretations;
• critically assess assumptions, competing explanations and limitations in both previous research and the student’s own study;
• evaluate the validity, scope and limitations of the conclusions drawn from the empirical analysis;
• demonstrate scholarly integrity and reflect on relevant ethical and source-critical considerations in the research process.

Required Knowledge

To be admitted to this course, students must be enrolled in the “Master’s Program in Critical Perspectives on Economics: Environment, Inequality, and Crises” and have successfully completed the following courses:
-Research Design in Social Science, 7.5 credits
-Quantitative Methods: Socioeconomic Inequalities and Population Studies, 7.5 credits
-Qualitative Methods in Social Science, 7.5 credits

Form of instruction

Teaching is conducted through individual and/or group supervision and seminars. The course concludes with a thesis seminar in which students defend their own thesis and critically examine another student’s thesis.

Examination modes

Assessment is based on:
• an individually authored Master’s thesis in Economic History;
• the oral presentation and defence of the thesis at a seminar; and
• the critical examination (opposition) of another student’s thesis

For students who have a recommendation of support for students with disabilities the examiner may decide on individual adaption of examination modes set out in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of examination modes must always be considered based on the student's specific needs and the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. For more information, see Procedure for support for students with disabilities and Rules for grades and examination.

Transitional provisions

Rules for grades and examination govern what applies regarding retakes when a course has been discontinued or a syllabus has undergone major changes.