Master Thesis (2 year program)

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/W_MA2TH

Course Objective

The student:learns to do independent philosophical research in relation to the specific scientific discipline and is able to present and defend his/her research both in written form and orally. Specified learning goals: 1) You learn to articulate a well-worded, well-demarcated philosophical question. 2) You learn to structure your thesis well, with a table of contents that shows how the question will be answered, and a conclusion in which the main question and (if applicable) sub-questions will be answered in full. 3) You learn to embed your argumentation into relevant and actual discussions in a well-founded manner. 4) You learn to choose literature of a sufficiently level of difficulty and paraphrase its content correctly in your own words. 5) You learn to make clear who is speaking and from which sources ideas are taken. References are complete and follow one particular system. 6) You learn to think your argumentation through well, implement it in a valid manner and explain it by means of relevant (in the light of your question) examples
- so that the thesis convinces. 7) You learn to apply an academic, lively and attractive style, with precise, clear and consistent sentences that also contain definitions of the most relevant philosophical concepts. 8) You learn to formulate your main question independently, to search the sources to answer it, and to argue for your conclusions. 9) You learn to work in accordance with a schedule that is agreed upon by you and the supervisor(s) and to keep your own deadlines. 10) You learn to articulate your own way of thinking, that adds to the existing literature and that stimulates reflection, while you are able to receive and process feedback from your supervisor(s) with an open attitude.

Course Content

You will choose a subject and research question after consulting the thesis supervisor. This subject must connect to the earlier readings of literature. Together with your thesis supervisor you will decide upon your thesis plan, timeline, and literature to be used. You will work independently insofar as possible in accordance with the agreed-upon planning, understanding that you will ask and receive feedback from the supervisor at regularly chosen moments.

Teaching Methods

Individual mentoring.

Method of Assessment

Written thesis and oral exam. The thesis is a written work and will be graded by the supervisor and the second reader in accordance with the grading form
- in which at least the mentioned learning goals will be looked into. More elaborate criteria concerning length, form and conventions, among other things, can be found in the thesis manual.

Literature

Depending on the subject and chosen in agreement with the supervisor.

Target Audience

Master students of Philosophy 2 year

Additional Information

Which member of staff will be thesis supervisor is dependent upon the thesis subject, and availability of staff. To make a choice te track coordinator will be consulted.
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level18.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Master