M120DR513 Master's thesis

Contents and structure

This is module 5 of the Master's Degree in Drama Pedagogy and Applied Theatre. The master's thesis is an individual and independent investigation of a problem area - based on a research question - within the field of drama pedagogy and applied theatre. Students may choose between two alternative types of theses. Master thesis seminars are included in the module. The module concludes with an oral exam (lecture) related to the thesis.

The master's thesis must have relevant and useful delimitations, a clear formulation and presentation of the research question/problem under discussion. Included here is the demand for conceptual clarification, theoretical perspectives, choice of methodology and methods, empirical data, discussion, structure and reference apparatus. Originality, linguistic presentation skills and academic accountability are emphasized. The supervisor must approve the choice of topic for the master's thesis. The thesis must be written in Times New Roman 12 point, with 1,5 line spacing.

Alternative 1: Master's thesis - monograph.

Students will develop and discuss a question/problem within drama pedagogy and applied theatre through a master's thesis (about 70-100 pages). The thesis must include a professional and scholarly reflection of the research question/problem. The topic must be linked to   theory and practice within drama pedagogy and applied theatre and be submitted in writing. The thesis may also be a part of a bigger research project at HVL.

Alternative 2: Masters thesis - with a production of drama and applied theatre.

The master's thesis in alternative 2 is a practical-theoretical investigation of a research question/problem within drama pedagogy and/or applied theatre. The thesis consists of two parts:

1. Development and implementation of a project that must be documented as a live presentation.
2. A written reflection (about 40-50 pages) related to the project, and in which professional theory and research method are central. The master's thesis must contain a professional and scholarly reflection on the work that constitutes the practical part of the master's thesis.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

The candidate has:

• In-depth knowledge about the design of a master's project, related to arts-based and artistic research.
• Well-informed knowledge about the topic and research problem of her/his own master's project.
• In-depth knowledge about the formalities of academic writing.

Skills

The candidate can:

• Reflect critically on her/his own project from different professional drama pedagogical and/or applied theatre perspectives.
• Present and communicate arguments using scholarly terminology, in line with current academic standards.
• Evaluate current research ethical problems and challenges in drama pedagogy and applied theatre.

General competence

After an approved master's project, the candidate can:

• Implement an autonomous scholarly investigation, starting from a relevant professional problem.
• Communicate central discoveries from the project, and participate in a public professional arts pedagogical research context.

Entry requirements

Module 1, 2, 3 and 4, or corresponding courses.

Teaching methods

Each student will have his/her own main supervisor. Individual, binding agreements for tutorials will be entered into. In the period of agreement, the student may receive up to 35 hours supervision (according to individual needs). Supervisor and student will jointly agree on the distribution of the hours for supervision during this period. Supervision is given individually and during mandatory joint gatherings in the 3rd and 4th  semesters. Students must participate actively during the joint gatherings by presenting their own projects and by commenting on others' projects. Any possible absence from the joint meetings must be cleared by application to the course leader. In some cases, students may participate in national or international research seminars, during which students may present their work and receive feedback from others.

Compulsory learning activities

1. Designing an individual project description for the master's thesis, about 8-10 pages.
2. Individual presentations in seminars about the student's own project.
3. Poster presentation of the student's own project.
4. A rough sketch of a practical exam project and an agreement with target groups/institutions.

Assessment

Evaluation of the fifth module consists of the master's thesis and an adjusting oral exam.

Alternative 1. Master's thesis - monography.

Submission deadline will be published on the Student Web and the digital exam system, Wiseflow. An external and an internal examiner evaluate the master's thesis.

Marking system: A-F, in which F corresponds to not approved. 

Alternative 2: Master's thesis with a drama/theatre pedagogical production

The practical implementation of the production part of the master's thesis extends over a recommended period of 8-10 weeks. A rough outline of the project and agreements with the target group/institution (children/youth/adults) must be submitted by the 1st of September. The project may take the form of a longitudinal process drama, a TIE-programme, a local community project, etc. The project concludes with a summarising presentation (display, performance, or a demonstration/workshop). The time for this presentation is agreed with the supervisor. The presentation usually takes place in December/January.

The production part of the master's thesis is evaluated by an external and an internal examiner. The student must in advance submit an abstract of about 200 words. Following the presentation, a 30-minute conversation with the examination committee takes place. The production part together with the subsequent discussion accounts for 49% of the overall mark. Mark system: A - F, in which F is not approved.

The work with the written part of the thesis takes place parallel with the production part and must normally be submitted in mid-May in the 4th. semester of the master's programme. The master's thesis is submitted electronically on Wiseflow. The same external and internal examiner who evaluated the practical part evaluates this part of the master's thesis.

The written part counts 51% towards the overall mark. Mark system: A - F, in which F is not approved. Deadline for submission is published on the Student Web and the digital exam system, Wiseflow. 

The oral exam is the same for both alternatives

The oral exam consists of a lecture, about 20 minutes, presented for the examination committee, and is open to the public. The topic for the lecture is related to the main thoughts of the master thesis. After the lecture, an internal, 30-minute explanatory conversation is held with the examination committee. The oral exam takes place approximately 6 weeks after submission of the master's thesis and may adjust the mark of the thesis. Time and place for the oral exam is published on the learning platform, Canvas. The mark for the master thesis can be adjusted up or down one mark on the evaluation scale.