Bachelor's Thesis
Study Board of Political Science, Journalism, Sociology, and European Studies
Teaching language: English
EKA: B300008402, B300008412
Censorship: Second examiner: External, Second examiner: None
Grading: 7-point grading scale, Approved/Not approved
Offered in: Soenderborg
Offered in: Autumn, Spring
Level: Bachelor
Course ID: B300008401
ECTS value: 20
Date of Approval: 25-09-2018
Duration: 1 semester
Course ID
Course Title
Teaching language
ECTS value
Responsible study board
Date of Approval
Course Responsible
Offered in
Level
Offered in
Duration
Mandatory prerequisites
Aim and purpose
The bachelor project completes the education. The purpose of the project is that the students gain competences to contribute to the management of complex and development oriented problems within the field of European studies in an independent, professional and ethical fashion. Students are expected to acquire competences in structuring their own learning to solve a specific problem. In addition, the student should acquire skills in using the knowledge and the competences that have been gained during their Bachelor. Finally, the student should gain skills in communication, written and oral, of problems and solutions to colleagues and other stakeholders.
European studies shall be understood with an interdisciplinary approach that reflects the broad range of topics and themes of the field.
Content
The students shall prepare individually or in groups of 2-3 persons a bachelor project, under guidance, based on an academic analysis of a self-chosen problem. The topic can have a theoretical starting point or can be the result of a collaboration with a firm, a public institution or a relevant organisation.
The supervisor is allocated via a digital form. To enable supervisor allocation, the form including group composition and prioritised choice of topic or idea for self-defined topic with a preliminary problem must be submitted by the deadline stipulated on the study webpage for the bachelor project. Each group submits one form. Link to digital supervisor agreement may be found on study web page under “Bachelor project”.
The chosen problem defines the academic content. With the topic as a starting point, the students decide the specific problem, the academic frame and choice of method in collaboration with the allocated supervisor. A working title and preliminary description of the problem and research questions must be approved by a given deadline (see under examination conditions).
The chosen problem defines the academic content. With the topic as a starting point, the students decide the specific problem, the academic frame and choice of method in collaboration with the allocated supervisor. A working title and preliminary description of the problem and research questions must be approved by a given deadline (see under examination conditions).
Procedure for allocation of supervisor and group formation as well as time for information meeting is announced on the study web page under “Bachelor project”.
Learning goals
The students has fulfilled the learning goals of the course when he or she can:
Knowledge:
- Demonstrate competence to identify and fulfill own learning by having acquired up-to-date knowledge about theories, methods, and practice that are relevant and knowledge creating within the subject area of the problem.
Skills:
- Demonstrate skills in applying the gained knowledge by assessing and solving complex problems within European Studies and in communication of problems and solutions to colleagues and other stakeholders.
- Demonstrate skills in solving academic problems in collaboration with others.
Competences:
- Demonstrate competence to be part of an academic collaboration with a professional approach.
- Demonstrate competence in ethical and responsible behaviour in the project work.
More specifically this means that the student should be able to:
- Complete a project within a given time frame, individually or in a group with other students.
- Select, argue for and structure a precise and relevant problem within the field European Studies.
- Conduct research, familiarise with the literature, account for and apply scientifically based knowledge relevant for the selected problem. This may be knowledge acquired previously in the study programme or it may be newly acquired knowledge.
- Apply the acquired knowledge to the selected problem and assess the need for further knowledge/information. Describe in a methodological section of the paper how this may be provided.
- Provide and analyse relevant information and/or data by means of appropriate usage of relevant techniques, procedures and methods according to prevailing ethical and legislative standards for the area. This may be techniques, procedures and methods acquired previously in the study programme or they may be newly acquired.
- Present the results of the analysis in a way that fulfils the identified knowledge gap and evaluates the scientific validity of the results.
- Draw a conclusion; put this conclusion into perspective and, as a part of this set up implications with a broad scope.
- Consider dilemmas related to ethics and sustainability and possible consequences of the implications put forward.
- Prepare a written report that for the reader is structured, well-balanced and meaningful in terms of content as well as style.
- Make an oral presentation of the project and reflect upon the content of the report
Description of outcome - Competences
Literature
Depends on the choice of topic. The students are expected to engage comprehensively with academic literature.
Teaching Method
Bachelor projects may be written individually or in groups of 2-3 students.
The topic for the bachelor project can be theoretical or be developed in cooperation with a company, a public institution or a non-governmental organisation. As the purpose of the course is that the student gets an opportunity to demonstrate the skills that are described in the goals the description, the student works independently with a topic of own choice.
During the project work, each student /group receives supervision corresponding to 14 working hours including the supervisor’s preparation for meetings as well as correspondence via email and in other forms. Supervision may take place as supervision of each group individually. It may also take on other forms such as joint information- or supervision meetings for several groups. Plan for joint supervision will appear on the study web page for the bachelor project or as information from the supervisor.
The topic for the bachelor project can be theoretical or be developed in cooperation with a company, a public institution or a non-governmental organisation. As the purpose of the course is that the student gets an opportunity to demonstrate the skills that are described in the goals the description, the student works independently with a topic of own choice.
During the project work, each student /group receives supervision corresponding to 14 working hours including the supervisor’s preparation for meetings as well as correspondence via email and in other forms. Supervision may take place as supervision of each group individually. It may also take on other forms such as joint information- or supervision meetings for several groups. Plan for joint supervision will appear on the study web page for the bachelor project or as information from the supervisor.
The students who write their projects in groups are expected to participate in joint supervision and the topics that are covered in this way can thus only be covered by group wise supervision after specific agreement with a supervisor.
The list below shows the expected workload for an average student. For a group, the project work should reflect the number of group members. The problem for the project and the analyses undertaken must reflect the workload.
Workload
The expected workload for an average student:
Independent project work 500
Supervision (preparation and participation) 20
Exam (preparation and participation) 20
Total 540
Examination regulations
Exam
Name
Exam
Timing
Ordinary exam with oral defence in June and January, based on the report being handed in before the deadline. Handing in of the written report is in week 21 in the spring semester and in week 50/51 in the autumn semester. The precise deadline for handing in the report appears in the schedule for exams.
Re-examination (2nd attempt) with oral defence in August and February. The deadline for handing in the report appears in the schedule for exams.
Re-examination (3rd attempt) with oral defence in September and March. The deadline for handing in the report appears in the schedule for exams.
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | B300008412, Exam condition | B300008401, Bachelor's Thesis |
Tests
Exam
Name
Exam
Form of examination
Bachelor project with oral defence
Censorship
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card - Date of birth
Language
English
Duration
-
Length
-
Assignment handover
-
Assignment handin
See under Additional information
ECTS value
20
Additional information
The bachelor's thesis is to be written in English.
The thesis is expected to be 35-40 pages for individual projects, 40-45 pages for groups of 2, and 55-60 pages for groups 3 students. One standard page comprises 2400 key strokes excluding spaces. The number of pages allowed is in addition to front page, table of contents, abstract, list of references and appendices. The report must be written in English. The report is to include an abstract which will be included in the assessment of the report. The abstract should be between 300 and 500 words.
The title must be written on the front page.
The report must meet the formal requirements for assignments at the Faculty of Social Sciences/rules set by the local study board. The report is to be submitted in two printed copies per group. Also, an identical electronic copy is to be submitted via SDUassignment on Black Board.
In group theses, the oral presentation of each student will be graded individually. The examiner ensures that the oral examination is conducted in such a way that individual assessment of the performance of each student can take place. The academic study board may grant permission to individual oral examination if a student applies for this and gives a reason for the application.
The oral examination lasts approx. 30 minutes for individual projects, 45 minutes for 2 students and 60 minutes for 3 students including grading The examination takes its starting point in the report and a presentation hereof. The examination also includes supplementary questions on theoretical, methodological and, if relevant, practical topics associated with the submitted report.
The grading is based on an overall assessment of the report and the performance at the oral exam. Grades are awarded on the basis of how well the individual student has achieved the objectives of the subject as described in "Goals Description".
In case of reexam/reexams in the same examination period as a result of a non-passed report handed in for the ordinary exam, the oral exam connected to the re-examination takes place on the basis of a revised report with the same topic (and the same company, for assignments involving contact with a company). In this case, a short supervision is granted in the form of an explanation of the grade given at the ordinary exam. In the case of group theses, if the reexam only involves some group members, a new problem with the same topic must be agreed with the supervisor based on the individual student’s contribution to the report that was originally handed in.
Regardless whether the report is handed in the first time for the ordinary exam or for the reexam, supervision takes place only in the time before the date stipulated for handing in for the ordinary exam.
Re-exam in a later examination period is in a new project within a new topic following the procedure for the first attempt.
The oral examination lasts approx. 30 minutes for individual projects, 45 minutes for 2 students and 60 minutes for 3 students including grading The examination takes its starting point in the report and a presentation hereof. The examination also includes supplementary questions on theoretical, methodological and, if relevant, practical topics associated with the submitted report.
The grading is based on an overall assessment of the report and the performance at the oral exam. Grades are awarded on the basis of how well the individual student has achieved the objectives of the subject as described in "Goals Description".
In case of reexam/reexams in the same examination period as a result of a non-passed report handed in for the ordinary exam, the oral exam connected to the re-examination takes place on the basis of a revised report with the same topic (and the same company, for assignments involving contact with a company). In this case, a short supervision is granted in the form of an explanation of the grade given at the ordinary exam. In the case of group theses, if the reexam only involves some group members, a new problem with the same topic must be agreed with the supervisor based on the individual student’s contribution to the report that was originally handed in.
Regardless whether the report is handed in the first time for the ordinary exam or for the reexam, supervision takes place only in the time before the date stipulated for handing in for the ordinary exam.
Re-exam in a later examination period is in a new project within a new topic following the procedure for the first attempt.
EKA
B300008402
Supervisor agreement
Name
Supervisor agreement
Form of examination
Compulsory assignment
Censorship
Second examiner: None
Grading
Approved/Not approved
Identification
Student Identification Card - Date of birth
Language
English
Duration
-
ECTS value
0
Additional information
A:
The student must have been registered for at least 120 ECTS courses in semesters previous to registering for the Bachelor project. The study board board can allow deviations to this rule given special circumstances.
B:
It is a requirement for participation in the ordinary exam as well as possible re-exam(s) that a digital supervisor agreement with a working title and a preliminary problem that is approved is handed in 15 February (hand-in May)/15 September (hand-in December). The report can only be handed in for the ordinary exam if the working title and problem is approved by the deadline. If this is not the case, the student cannot participate in exam or re-exam(s) and one examination attempt has been used.
Deviations from the deadline for approval may be granted by the person locally responsible for the bachelor project.
Fulfillment of the exam requirement is only possible prior to the ordinary exam. Participation in the reexamination thus requires that the exam requirement is met prior to the ordinary exam.
Link for the digital contract for approval of topic/working title can be found under "Bachelor Project on the study programme's web page.
EKA
B300008412
External comment
NOTE - This course is identical with the former course Bachelor's Thesis, Id 9850401.
Used examination attempts in the former identical course will be transferred.
Courses that are identical with former courses that are passed according to applied rules cannot be retaken.
The student is automatically registered for the first examination attempt when the student is registered for a course or course element with which one or more examinations are associated. Withdrawal of registration is not possible, and students who fail to participate in an examination have used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances.
If a student does not meet the established university prerequisites for taking the exam, he or she has used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances.
Courses offered
| Offer period | Offer type | Profile | Education | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2019 | Mandatory | BSc European Studies (as of 2014) - for Business Track | BSc European Studies | Bachelor of Science (BSc) in European Studies | Soenderborg | 6 |
| Spring 2019 | Mandatory | BSc European Studies (as of 2014) - for Culture and Politics Track | BSc European Studies | Bachelor of Science (BSc) in European Studies | Soenderborg | 6 | Spring 2019 | Exchange students |