Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the course, students are able to:

• Discuss their ideas/topics for their MA thesis.
• Indicate potential research methodologies suitable for their research.
• Identify theoretical frameworks relevant to their thesis topic.
• Employ diverse research databases and resources.
• Construct a basic literary/project review for their topic.
• Sketch their research questions.

Credits: 2

Schedule: 30.09.2024 - 28.03.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Susanna Suurla

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

Responsible teacher: Susanna Suurla, susanna.suurla@aalto.fi

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: Finnish, Swedish, English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  The purpose of the Master’s Thesis Seminar 1 is to assist students brainstorm, develop, research and formulate the topic of their MA written thesis. The course will help students to design and plan their research, as well as familiarizing them with research methodologies and resources.

• applies in this implementation

  Course consists of:

  • lectures on research skills, related theory and thesis writing
  • student presentations & discussions
  • independent assignments in between class meetings
  • independent writing assignment focusing on writing a thesis plan
  
  

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  The course will consist of lectures by faculty and potential visitors, discussions, feedback, peer-review sessions and independent study time.

  Attendance, active participation in class and the completion of the course assignments are required in order to gain credits for the MA seminar. There will be an option to make extra assignments to compensate the missed sessions. This has to be approved by the teacher responsible for the course.

Workload

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Contact teaching 22h, independent study 32h.

  Attending the first day of the course is required.

  At least 80% participation in contact teaching is mandatory to complete the course. If, due to absences, the student does not achieve the learning outcomes defined in the course description, the remaining 20% may have to be compensated as determined by the responsible teachers of the course. All absences must be reported to the teachers in charge. The responsible teachers of the course will specify the necessary compensating assignments.

DETAILS

Study Material

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Biggs, M. A. R. and Karlsson, H. eds.,2011. The Routledge companion to research in the arts. London: Routledge.

  Murray, R., 2011. How to Write a Thesis, 3 rd Edition. Berkshire: Open University Press / McGraw-Hill.

  Nelson, R. (ed.)2013. Practice as Research in the Arts: Principles, Protocols, Pedagogies, Resistances. UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

Substitutes for Courses

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Substitutes for Courses

Prerequisites

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Prerequisites

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

4 Quality Education

5 Gender Equality

10 Reduced Inequality

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Teaching Language: Finnish

  Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn I - Spring V
  2025-2026 Autumn I - Spring V

  Registration:

  Registration for courses Sisu. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture, https//www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts

Details on the schedule

• applies in this implementation

  Autumn 2025
  Mon 30.9.	15:15-17:00	Väre, O-112	Introduction to the MA Seminar in English
  Mon 14.10.	15:15-17:00	Väre, O-112	Finding a topic + guidelines for MA thesis
  Mon 4.11.	15:15-17:00	Väre, O-112	Introduction to artistic research
  Mon 25.11.	15:15-17:00	Väre, O-112	Steps for writing a thesis plan
  Spring 2025
  Mon 27.1.	15:15-17:00	Väre, O-112	Styles of academic writing + thesis structure
  Mon 17.2.	15:15-17:00	Väre, O-112	Writing practices & Q&A on pre-assignments
  INTENSIVE WEEK 2025 Mon 24.3- Fri 28.3 (week 13) 9:15-17:00, detailed schedule published in February

  
  

Description