Master's Thesis, 15 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master´s Programme in Applied Ethics

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course the students should be able to
- analyse a problem in applied ethics in a scholarly manner,
- identify, describe and critically examine ethical problems and arguments in the discussion about the chosen topic for thesis,
- argue for a position in the discussion about the chosen topic for thesis,
- write and defend a scientific written report,
- demonstrate an open and critical attitude,
- demonstrate the ability to handle ethical issues in practice.

Course content

The students write a thesis that deals with a problem in applied ethics. The students conduct supervised research leading to the completion of a thesis. At the beginning of the course the choice of subject, methods and literature is discussed at a seminar. The thesis should be completed over a period of ten weeks and presented and defended at a seminar by the end of the semester. Both the process and the result – the thesis – should be characterized by a high degree of insight in theory and method.
The students also investigate how ethical issues are handled in society. The method is to visit a social institution (political authority, company, organization etc.) and interview persons who has a responsible position relating to ethics. Students report the result at the end of the semester.

Teaching and working methods

In the course, students read and analyse texts, participate in group discussions, writes papers, and are actively involved in seminar discussions. Individual supervision of thesis work is also offered. Language of discussion is Englsih.

Examination

The examination consists in a seminar discussion in the course of which the student defends the completed thesis. The student should also serve as opponent at another seminar.
Active participation in seminar discussions is required. Presentation of written papers at seminars.
Detailed information on examination precedures are available in the study guide.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department