Master's Thesis

ECTS

30 ECTS

Type of assessment

Written assignment, see below

Oral defence, see below under invigilation

Type of assessment details

Thesis Models
Students must choose one of the following thesis models for their master's thesis:

Classic master’s thesis
Total length of 129,600-158,400 keystrokes for an individual submission (+ 36,450-44,550 keystrokes per additional group member).
The thesis must have the following main components:
1. An introduction containing the problem statement, outlining the research field, method, and ethics, anthropological/academic background, and relevant context for the study.
2. Two to five text modules in which the empirical material is analyzed based on the selected theories and relevant contexts. The text modules should be written as integrated parts of a coherent argument.
3. A conclusion.

Scientific article and communication product
Total length of 129,600-158,400 keystrokes for an individual submission (+ 36,450-44,550 keystrokes per additional group member).
The thesis must have the following main components:
1. An introduction containing the problem statement, outlining the research field, anthropological/academic background, and relevant context for the study.
2. An article (or possibly two articles) containing an analysis of self-selected, delimited empirical material (26,250-37,000 keystrokes or keystrokes as prescribed in the journal to which the article is submitted). The student must attach the journal's guidelines for articles.
3. A communication product, such as a lead article in a newspaper or a lecture (11,250-15,000 keystrokes or keystrokes as indicated in the outlet in which the article is expected to be published). The product is to be supplemented by a brief explanation of the target audience and the choice of communication format.
4. A paper on method and ethics, outlining the chosen methodology and one or more ethical issues that are particularly relevant to the fieldwork and the project.

Report
Total length of 129,600-158,400 keystrokes for an individual submission (+ 36,450-44,550 keystrokes per additional group member).
The thesis must have the following main components:
1. An introduction containing the problem statement, outlining the research field, anthropological/academic background, and relevant context for the study. This includes the presentation of a collaborative partner and the purpose of the report.
2. A report (or sections thereof) addressed to an external collaborative partner. The report is to be supplemented by a brief explanation of the target audience, the purpose of the report, and the choice of communication format. The student may have submitted the report to the target audience, but this is not a requirement.
3. One or more analytical sections that supplement the report. These are addressed to the Department of Anthropology and are of a theoretical nature. These sections of the thesis should elaborate on the analytical approach and address the theoretical choices in relation to the empirical material.
4. A paper on method and ethics, outlining the chosen methodology and one or more ethical issues that are particularly relevant to the fieldwork and the project, including the preparation of the report.
The purpose of this examination format is for the student to write a report aimed at a specific target audience, supplemented by qualified anthropological discussions, so that these parts together fulfill the general learning objectives for master's specializations at the Department of Anthropology.

Visual communication product
Total length of 67,500-82,500 keystrokes for an individual submission (+20,250-24,750 per additional group member).
The thesis must have the following main components:
1. An introduction containing the problem statement, outlining the research field, including theoretical discussions within the anthropology of the chosen mode of communication, as well as relevant context for the study and an argumentation for the choice of communication format.
2. One or more analytical sections. These are addressed to the Department of Anthropology and are of a theoretical nature. These sections of the thesis should elaborate on the analytical approach and address the theoretical choices in relation to the empirical material.
3. A communication production, such as a documentary film, a multimedia production, or a major exhibition with a catalogue. This product is in addition to the length of the thesis, which must be a minimum of 67,500-82,500 keystrokes for an individual submission. For film and multimedia productions, the maximum length must be 30 minutes.
4. A paper on methodology and ethics, which outlines a methodological and/or ethical issue that is of particular importance to the fieldwork and the project, as well as methodological discussions within the anthropology of the chosen communication format. The paper should include reflections on the practical possibilities and limitations that the chosen visual communication format offers.
For more information, see KUnet.

Exam registration requirements

See exam rules in curriculum.

Aid

All aids allowed

Marking scale

7-point grading scale

Censorship form

External censorship

Re-exam

If the thesis is not submitted by the specified deadline, it counts as an examination attempt, and, within 14 days, a second thesis contract must be submitted. A new deadline is set 3 months after the approval of the second thesis contract. If the thesis is not submitted before this deadline, the student has a third examination attempt, under the same rules. Read more on the Education pages on KUnet.

Criteria for exam assessment