Researching and Writing the MA ES Thesis

Full course description

The MAES thesis (period 4 - 6 ) is an external representation that you have achieved the expertise necessary to be a professional in your field. It demonstrates that you know how to approach and master complex ideas and information; you have mastered your discipline’s knowledge base, acquired its professional skills and competencies, and are capable of doing independent research. Fortunately you are not alone in writing your thesis. While EUS 4500 – Mastering Academic Research Skills and Methods (MARSaM) course introduces you to the research methods you have at your disposal and discusses why and how certain methods are used to explore and understand certain phenomena. In EUS 4801 – Researching and Writing the MA Thesis, you will also learn how to develop and evaluate sensible and systematic scientific research puzzles and good research output. After submitting your research design in period 3  (January), In EUS 4801, you will be working closely with your supervisor to implement your research design: to actually write your thesis. Furthermore, we provide you with additional support through methods clinics, writing workshops, and a thesis conference. So Research and Writing Course (EUS 4801) consists of:

• Supervision

• Research Methods Clinics in period 4

• Writing Workshops with John Harbord in period 4

• Thesis Workshop/Conference to present your research in the month of May

By completing your MA thesis (14,000-15,000 words) you will show that you have fulfilled all the objectives of the MA in European Studies: You will have strong knowledge of the process of European integration; you are able to apply concepts and theories to relevant cases and come to informed conclusions; you are able to communicate your conclusions; and you have done a large scale research project autonomously.”