HISS2003 Master's Thesis Seminar (10 cr)

After completing the course, the student will:

• be able to specify their research theme, to formulate research questions and to limit their research subject to create first a master’s seminar presentation and then a master’s thesis
• be confident contributing to the different phases of the research process and be able to plan their own work within the set time limits
• have advanced information retrieval skills and be able to find original sources and research literature relevant to their thesis
• be able to use sources critically and be aware of the interpretative nature of history and of the significance of the political use of history
• be able to select and justify the choice of appropriate methods and approaches – be familiar with and adhere to the ethical standards of academic work
• be able to draw up a suitable academic thesis for their master’s thesis
• be able to construct an academic argument, conduct analytical and constructive academic debate and comment on academic presentations
• have the methodological and academic skills to write the master’s thesis.

Completion methods

Taught course. In the year-long master’s seminar, students write the following for their master’s thesis: abstact, information acquisition plan, research plan and seminar presentation mainly based on original sources (about 20–30 pages, or 40,000 characters) on the topic of their future master’s thesis. In addition, each participant acts as an opponent for another student’s seminar presentation and participates actively in the general discussion.

• Master’s seminar on Finnish history
• Master’s seminar on economic and social history
• Master’s seminar on general history

Assessment criteria

Attendance at the seminar, ideas paper, information acquisition plan, research plan, seminar presentation, acting as an opponent, active participation in discussion.