Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will understand thesis requirements and the graduation process. Students learn argumentation and presentation skills, and are able to apply what they have learned to their thesis work. Students have the necessary skills to complete their individual MA thesis.

Credits: 2

Schedule: 11.02.2021 - 20.05.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Laura Beloff, Lucy Davis, Bassam El Baroni, Pia Euro, Max Ryynänen

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Laura Beloff, Patrizia Costantin, Lucy Davis, Bassam El Baroni, Pia Euro, Max Ryynänen

Contact information for the course (valid 03.02.2021-21.12.2112):


Laura Beloff will be the manager for the Spring 2021 Thesis Seminar 1. Mail: laura.beloff@aalto.fi


(Lucy Davis will be the manager for the Fall 2021 Thesis Seminar 2)

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The students' individual MA thesis work is developed from their initial idea towards the completed thesis. Students present their work in its different stages, and give/get constructive criticism on each other's work. Students will attend thesis presentations of graduating students, and will learn to reflect on completed theses and their presentations.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    This is a mandatory course for ViCCA-students. Two parts: Thesis Seminar 1 and Thesis Seminar 2.


    Due to Covid19 restrictions the course will be conducted online - based on the experiences from the previous semester we have adjusted the way the Thesis Seminar is planned this semester;

    trying to find the best way for students and teachers! (Suggestions for future will be welcomed!)


    Students are divided to 2 groups; spring group and fall group.


    Everyone is making a 8-12 min(max) video presentation on their thesis topic, which they will upload to the Vimeo. Everyone is giving a written feedback for all the other students' video-presentations; online document will be organized for that.


    TIMETABLE:

    First meeting 11.2.2021 // 9:15am-11am in Zoom - general INTRODUCTION to the course, introduction to the new thesis crediting system 10-10-10


    Spring-group presenters:

    Deadline to upload your video
    online / vimeo

    Thursday 1st of April


    Everyone is giving written feedback to
    the uploaded videos:

    Deadline for giving feedback

    Thursday April 29th


    Peer-dialogue on the feedback (+ one faculty
    member present).

    Needs to be done by deadline: 20th May  2021.







Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Student presentations of MA thesis project, discussions and critique. Group work and independent work.

    80% attendance mandatory in seminar, not just present for presentation of student's own work.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    80% required presence is interpreted to
    the tasks:
    1) -video presentation. This is done only either in the Spring or Fall semester.
    2) -feedback to everyone on the provided online document; considered as the participation on the course. This is done during both Thesis Seminar 1 and Thesis Seminar 2.
    3) -peer-dialogue is done with your assigned peer for both of you; in both sessions you need to have a faculty member present.

    When all this is done by the given deadlines - you can be sure that you have passed the course.

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Contact teaching 24 h, individual work 30 h. 80% attendance mandatory in seminar.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Due to the Covid19 restrictions; the course will be conducted online: you need to take care of responsibilities of your own tasks and their timing.

    We have decided to make one deadline for the upload of videos and for the written feedback - based on the experience from the previous semester (in which it was spread over the semester). Important deadlines: Spring 2021: 1st of April upload (the latest), 29th April feedbacks ready, peer-dialogue done by 20th May.

    Thursday mornings are scheduled for the seminar, which should provide you with enough time to do the tasks.


DETAILS

Study Material
  • Applies in this implementation:


Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Course is (basically) for 1. year ViCCA students

Registration for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Registration via WebOodi. Please see WebOodi for registration dates.

    The order of priority for admitting students to courses at Aalto ARTS 1.1.2018 onwards (approved by The Committee of Arts, Design and Architecture on 10.10.2017)

    The order of priority is as follows:

    1. students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have scheduled it for the current academic year in their personal study plan (HOPS);

    2. exchange students for whom the course is a part of his/her officially approved learning agreement and scheduled to be taken during the current semester;

    3. students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have not completed it yet;

    4. students, for whom the course is part of his/her major's or programme's alternative studies and has been scheduled in the student's PSP (HOPS) for the current academic year

    5. students, for whom the course is part of his/her major's or programme's alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;

    6. students for whom the course is compulsory for their minor;

    7. students, for whom the course is part of his/her minor subject's alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;

    8. students who have applied for the course through a student mobility scheme (internal mobility within Aalto University, flexible study right (JOO) studies etc.);

    9. other students.

    Courses that are intended to be multidisciplinary (e.g. UWAS courses) may apply an order of priority based on the learning outcomes of the course, while bearing in mind the university obligation of enabling students to complete their degrees within the normative duration of study set for the degree. The order of priority does not apply to courses organised by the Centre for General Studies or doctoral courses.

    This decision on the order of priority does not influence the right of the teacher to define prerequisites for the course

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Course is (basically) for 1. year ViCCA students and additionally for those who have missed the Thesis Seminar previously.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:


    First meeting 11.2.2021 //
    9:15am-11am in Zoom - general INTRODUCTION to the course, introduction
    to the new thesis crediting system 10-10-10

    Spring
    group presenters:

    Deadline to upload your video
    online / vimeo

    Thursday 1st of April


    Everyone
    is giving written feedback
    to
    the uploaded videos:

    Deadline for giving feedback

    Thursday April 29th


    Peer-dialogue on the feedback (+ one faculty
    member present).

    Needs to be done by deadline: 20th May  2021.