Examination arrangement

Course content

The course comprises work with the master's thesis in Norwegian language and literature education. The course has no regular teaching.

The master's thesis is an independent, academic research project which students complete as the final part of a master's degree. The work is supervised by an academic supervisor, and must be original, explicitly articulated and founded in the research field of Norwegian language and literature education. The thesis' topic and research question is chosen by the student, but in agreement with the supervisor.

The student's work with the thesis corresponds to 1,5 semesters full-time effort.

All students are entitled to write an independent thesis. In specific cases, it can be practical to write the thesis as a joint effort between two students. This must, however, be decided in agreement with supervisor and academic coordinator, and should be justified in the thesis' project description.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student

• has advanced, specialized knowledge of key theories and relevant research within a limited area of Norwegian language and literature education
• has in-depth knowledge of what is required of a scientific study and a scientific text within the subject of Norwegian language and literature research
• has knowledge of reference standards for scientific texts and current research ethical norms

Skills

The student

• can evaluate different research methods and masters relevant methods for research within Norwegian language and literature education
• can orientate themselves in, and analyze relevant professional- and research literature, and use the content in an independent and critical way
• can collect relevant research material and analyze this in line with Norwegian language and literature education methods and research ethical standards
• can, under supervision, design, implement and present an independent research project in line with scientific requirements for research within Norwegian language and literature education

General competence

The student

• masters the professional language and genres of Norwegian language and literature education, and can convey one's own and others' research to subject specialists and teachers in a critical and ethically sound manner
• can apply professional knowledge and skills in new areas and carry out advanced work tasks and projects within the Norwegian subject and the teaching profession
• can engage in academic and educational policy discussions, initiate development processes and contribute to the innovation of Norwegian as a subject in schools

Learning methods and activities

Seminars, individual work and supervision.

Supervision is obligatory and is carried out in agreement with the appointed academic supervisor.

Participation in seminars is obligatory.

In cases of co-writing of the thesis, students must in advance sign a written agreement about the nature of their cooperation (see a specific form). The two parts in the agreement are the two students and the supervisor. A process document describing the cooperative process must be attached to the MA-thesis, and must include an overview of how the responsibility and work has been distributed between the two students. The process document constitutes one part of the basis of assessment of the thesis.

Compulsory assignments

• Oral presentation of the master thesis
• Supervision
• Participation on seminar

Further on evaluation

The MA-thesis is a written work assessed individually by an A-F assessment scale, where the grades A-E are passed grades and F is a fail grade.

The MA-thesis is assessed both by an internal and an external examiner.

In a co-written MA-thesis, the process document constitutes a part of the basis of the assessment. In principle, there is a joint assessment of the written work for both students, but the grade is individual and students therefore have individual rights to submit a claim.

The scope of the thesis should be between 25,000 and 35,000 words. When co-writing the scope should be between 35,000 and 45,000 words. The front page, preface, summary, table of contents, bibliography, tables and appendices are in addition to the word counts noted.

All courses in the study programme must be approved before the MA-thesis can be submitted for assessment.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

It is recommended that all courses from the first year of the study programme Master in education, specialization in Norwegian language and literature education, have been passed before the student starts working on the MA-thesis.

Required previous knowledge

The course requires admission to the study programme MA in education, specialization in Norwegian language and literature education.

Course materials

Individual reading material.