3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 2 with catalog number 4021606DNW for working students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (D) Master - preliminary level.

Semester
1st and 2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
NOTE: registration for this course is only possible for working students. Day students can register for courses whose code ends with an R. At Inschrijven / studentenadministratie@vub.be you must be registered at the VUB as a working student for the current academic year.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Languages & Humanities
Department
Linguistics and Literary Studies
Educational team
Birgit Van Puymbroeck (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
20 contact hours Lecture
6 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
28 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

This course supports students in the development of their MA paper. It offers tools for conducting research in the fields of literary studies and intermediality studies, and provides opportunities for discussing the student’s own research topic and process with fellow students, lecturers and researchers. In contrast to the courses on research methodology in the bachelor’s programme, the emphasis is more on autonomy and self-reflection. Students gain insight into how research in literary studies and intermediality studies is conducted and are stimulated to develop a personal view on a chosen subject.

 

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Vademecum onderzoeksmethodologie, PowerPoint presentaties, reglementen, informatieve documenten en evaluatieformulieren., Canvas
Handbook (Recommended) : Literary Theory and Criticism, An Introduction, Stevens, A. H., 2de, Broadview Press, 9781554815371, 2015
Handbook (Recommended) : They Say / I Say, The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, Graff G. and Birkenstein, 4de, Norton, New York, 9780393538700, 2021
Additional info

Lectures, practical workshops, written and oral assignments with collective, peer or self-evaluation, supplemented by individual feedback from the supervisor.

Learning Outcomes

Algemeen competenties

  • The student is able to develop a research topic into one (or more) concrete research question(s). They know the difference between a research topic, a research question and a hypothesis.
  • The student is able to find relevant sources in scientific databases, specialized libraries and archives (depending on the research). They can carry out targeted search queries in relation to their own research and know how to correctly refer to scholarly sources.
  • The student is able to conduct a literature review (state of the art) in a systematic way and is able to report on findings. 
  • The student is able to a select an appropriate theoretical framework and to develop a method that allows the student to investigate the research question. The student is aware of various approaches and methodologies in literary studies and can reflect on his/her choice of methodology in a critical manner.
  • The student is capable of developing a written research proposal, also keeping in mind the correct way of referring to sources.
  • The student is capable of giving an academic presentation. They are able to present their research in a concise and clear manner for a broad audience.
  • The student knows the guidelines with respect to plagiarism, data management and scientific integrity, and applies these in a rigorous manner in all assignments.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
SELF Presentation determines 50% of the final mark.
SELF Paper determines 50% of the final mark.

Within the SELF Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • ZELF presentatie with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: Presentatie bepaalt 50% van het eindcijfer

Within the SELF Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • ZELF paper with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: Onderzoeksvoorstel en bibliografie bepaalt 50% van het eindcijfer

Additional info regarding evaluation
  • In case of lateness or unwarranted absence, the student will obtain zero for the assignment in question.
  • In case the student fails the course, he/she must retake the assignments for which he/she did not pass.
  • The same tasks, deadlines and method of grading apply to all students.
Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Literary Studies - 1 language (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Literary Studies - 2 languages (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: profile Intermediality - 1 language (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: profile Intermediality - 2 languages (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Languages: 2 talen (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)