Objectives and competences
To introduce students to
• modern modes of academic research, including researching library holdings in domestic and international educational institutions; electronic and internet resources and databases,
• formulation of hypotheses and arguments, integration of empirical and theoretical research, and
• writing the thesis and the thesis proposal in the appropriate format (MLA, chicago)
Content (Syllabus outline)
MA seminar is a preparatory course for preparation and writing of the Master’s Thesis. It is organically connected to the Master’s Thesis course. The competences acquired by the student in this course as well as with the individual and seminar work is the basis for the independent writing of the MA Thesis under the guidance of the chosen mentor within the Master’s Thesis course.
Syllabus outline:
• Developing a topic; choosing a mentor
• Types of research: pedagogical and non-pedagogical
• Time Management
• Electronic research
• Database skills
• Access to scholarly and professional journals Electronic writing tools (EndNote, spell checkers etc.)
• Documentation function, use and varieties Copyright and ethical use of sources
• Bibliographies and annotated bibliographies Structure of a thesis
• Forming hypotheses
Learning and teaching methods
lectures, seminars, skill demonstrations, practical research tasks
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding:
On completion of this course the student will be able to:
• plan, conduct and evaluate the research in the field of English studies
• find primary and secondary sources in a library, database, and on the internet
• use professional sources such as card catalogues, print and electronic indexes (such as JSTOR)
• document sources fully and accurately
• use modern writing tools (i.e. Word, spell-and grammar checkers, Endnote)
• write a convincing thesis proposal
• integrate empirical and theoretical research into an organized argument
• present work in the appropriate academic format (MLA, Chicago)
Transferable/Key Skills and other attributes:
• Ability to organize and present data in appropriate forms
• Skill with on-line databases and modern software
Readings
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 8th Ed. New York: MLA, 2016 .
The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition. University of Chicago Press, 2010.
Berry, Ralph. The Research Project: How to Write It. 5th ed. London & New York: Routledge, 2004
Additional information on implementation and assessment • a series of practical research tasks - 50%
• a thesis proposal outline and its presentation to the peers - 50%
