Course syllabus

Welcome to the INTRODUCTION TO MASTER THESIS WRITING

This is a combined course for master's students in cultural anthropology and ethnology. It will introduce students to the craft of designing projects and to the advanced-level writing of anthropological and ethnological texts. The lectures will introduce students to examples of research conducted at the Department and provide them with an understanding of how anthropological and ethnological research is anchored in the respective disciplinary histories of ideas, as well as in current thematic and theoretical developments in the two disciplines. The seminars will prepare the students for the design, research, and writing processes for their own Master’s theses.

Language of instruction is English. For information on lectures and seminars etc. look under "Modules" in the list to the left.

Course start

The first meeting will take place on November 2, at 10.15-12.00 hours.

You need to attend this first meeting, but if you can’t make it, please inform one of the responsible lecturers, contact details below. During the first meeting, you will receive an overview of the course and meet with the responsible lecturers, who will guide you in defining a research topic, developing research questions, and structuring a research proposal.

Don’t forget to register for the course

It’s not enough that you have accepted your admission to the course in order to start studying. You also need to register. You register in Ladok for students. On the page Admission and Registration you will find instructions on how to do this. You can find the Department’s Registration periods on our student page Admission, registration and study periods.

Study Support

If you need special support in your studies, you need to obtain a certificate to receive it, a so-called NAIS certificate. You can read more and apply for support on our student page Study Support. If you have questions, contact Uppsala University’s coordinators for targeted study support. Apply as early as possible after you have registered for the course. That way you will get help the fastest.

Teaching and expectations

Examination

For all sessions, students are to read the assigned texts as instructed and are expected to actively engage with the lecturer(s) and the readings by raising questions for discussion at the seminar at the end of each class. Written assignments are to be handed in following the instructions given by the lecturers.

Literature (mandatory)

• Booth, Wayne C. et al. 1996. The craft of research. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press  (selected chapters)
• Ghodsee, Kristen Rogheh, 2016. From notes to narrative: writing ethnographies that everyone can read, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
• Rienecker et al. 2013. The Good Paper. A Handbook for Writing Papers in Higher Education. Frederiksberg: Samfundslitteratur

Important information – how things work at the Department

It is important that you read the information provided by the Department on Our Student Gateway. There you can find out more about how things work with us.

Contacts

Camilla Asplund Ingemark (ethnology) and  Sverker Finnström (anthropology) are course directors and main teachers. They are best contacted via Studium or via email. You should contact Camilla or Sverker if you have questions about the structure or content of the course. You should report any absence to Camilla or Sverker. If you are away for a longer period, you have the possibility to apply for a Academic leave of absence.

The Department’s Course Administrator is Angelika Holm. Contact Angelika here via Studium or at kursadm@antro.uu.se if you have questions regarding admission, registration, or similar matters. Angelika is also the department’s contact person if you need special support in your studies.

Charlotta Widmark is the Director of Studies Second Cycle.

A warm welcome to an exciting and enjoyable course!