Utbildningsinfo
IN ENGLISH
Malmö universitet
Course syllabus autumn 2020
Course syllabus autumn 2020
Title
European Studies: Research Methods and Minor Thesis
Swedish title
Europastudier: Forskningsmetoder och uppsatsskrivande
Course code
ES131L
Credits
15 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2020-05-20
Syllabus valid from
2020-08-31
Entry requirements
A minimum of 30 credits in social sciences or humanities + English B from Swedish upper secondary school.
Level
Basic level
Main field
European Studies
Progression level
G1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is part of the main field of study, European studies, at the 31-60 credit level, and meets the degree requirements for the degree of Bachelor, main field of study: European Studies
Course objectives
The main aim of this course is to help students develop their basic knowledge and ability to apply scientific methods and theories. The course aim is to introduce and let the students practise scientific methods. One further aim is to make the students transform this knowledge in a minor individual written thesis, through problem formulation, study of previous research, choice of relevant method and theory, definitions of concepts, and collection of empirical material and analysis.
Course contents
The course contains two modules. Module 1 (7,5 credits) presents some of the central research methods used in social sciences and humanities in lectures and seminar exercises, and relates this to teaching and seminar discussions on the importance of problem formulations and theory for the choice of method and material. In this module, the students also begin to work on a first draft for the upcoming minor thesis in module 2 of the course.
Module 2 (7,5 credits) is an essay course, where the student shall write an individual minor independent work. This module contains a combination of group supervision in seminars and individual supervision, and a final seminar where the student shall perform an independent opposition on another student’s essay, as well as defend her/his own work.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of this course, the student shall:
  1. Show basic knowledge and understanding about how scientific problem formulation presupposes and coincides with the choice of method, theory and different kinds of empirical material;
  2. Show basic knowledge about, and ability to, apply different scientific methods on different kinds of material;
  3. Show good ability to engage in oral and written communication;
  4. Show ability to formulate and investigate a scientific problem;
  5. Show ability to write independently, and act as opponent on a short scientific essay;
  6. Show ability to search for, and critically evaluate and choose relevant source material and previous research for a minor scientific study;
  7. Show ability to accomplish assignments and examinations within the stipulated time frames;
  8. Be able to evaluate scientific work, give and take criticism on presented work by valuate the relevance of problem questions, methods, theories and material, and have ability to evaluate the production of knowledge from an ethical perspective.
Learning activities
Lectures
Seminars
Supervisions
Individual studies
Independent writing
Assessment
Module 1 (7,5 credits):
Part 1, 4,5 credits: Method assignments and group seminars (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 7).
Part 2, 3 credits: Individual home assignment (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8).
Module 2 (7,5 credits):
Minor thesis and opposition and defence at a thesis seminar (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).
Course literature and other study material
  • Booth, Wayne, Gregory Colomb and Joseph Williams, Joseph Bizup and William T. FitzGerald (2016 – 4th edition), The Craft of Research, Chicago
  • Lynggaart, Kennet, Manners, Ian and Löfgren, Karl (2015) Research Methods in European Union Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, London.
  • May, Tim (2011 – 4th edition), Social Research – Issues, methods and process, Open University Press. (also used in the second semester). (selected chapters)
  • Tosh, John (latest edition), The Pursuit of History, Longman.
  • SAGE SRMO database on social research methods, via Malmö University Library
  • Additional readings, videos and other learning material.
Please note additional online resources may supplement/complement the core textbooks.
Course evaluation
The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).
Interim rules
If a course ceases to be available or has undergone any major changes, the students are to be offered two opportunities to retake the examination during the year following the change for re-examination, based on the syllabus which applied at registration.
Additional information
The Language of Instruction is English.