128482 SE MA-Seminar (Literature/Cultural Studies) (2017S)

This course addresses students towards the end of their career as undergrads, who are preparing for or already working on their MA theses. It is meant to facilitate every phase of writing an MA thesis, from research and planning to structuring, selecting, coming up with an overarching argument, backing it up with evidence - both from the object of analysis and from secondary literature - enriching the argument with reference to literary and/or cultural theory, of finding and propping up a position, of summarising, critiquing and improving upon other scholars' positions and of formulating a strong thesis, as well as teach time management, improve supervisor communication and teach (self-)motivational techniques. Most of these elements/skills/methods will already familiar. They will, however, be revised and, where necessary, brushed up or improved upon. We will take on examples from the theses the course members are planning to write or actually working on and use them for exercise material. Participants will expected to produce - for example - a first draft of their introduction or their thesis statement or a sample of a close reading taken from one of their theses' main chapters.

Obviously, the ultimate goal is to help you write the best possible MA thesis you are capable of producing. For this it is important to identify what each individual candidate might be struggling with, or secretly wishes to have mastered terms ago, or which skill s/he has known for a while now to be in urgent need of an update - now that it counts…