mam - MA Dissertation (Complete module description)

60 ECTS

• gained experiences in designing and addressing complex and original research questions and be
able to independently evaluate research processes and results;
• acquired competence to evaluate the relevance of disciplinary as well as multi-/inter-
/transdisciplinary approaches to specific research questions including the ability to position his/her
own work in the field of studies and its emerging issues;
• developed an understanding of theories, concepts and policies related to at least one of the
programme’s foci (i.e. gender, diversity and intersectionality; development, conflict and justice;
representation, power relations and knowledge production; education and citizenship) and
acknowledges their cross-cutting and strategic relevance in the field of migration and intercultural
relations;
• gained up-to-date expert knowledge in a specific area linking his/her disciplinary with
transdisciplinary perspectives and specifying his/her individual profile;
• gathered experience in the occupational sphere shaping his/her professional profile and
employability;
• practical expertise to present and structure an argument in academic English based on enhanced
reading and writing skills in various genres;
• the ability to condense and visualise work results in order to present it to various audiences;
• developed competence in self-management including the ability to prioritize, set goals and make
decisions in individual and group work processes;
• the ability to identify and critique discriminating forms of verbal and non-verbal communication,
reflecting power relations and his/her own biases aiming at self-reflective interaction;

Writing the MA Dissertation is the students’ opportunity to prove that they are able to conduct independent scholarly research in an international and transcultural context in the field of migration studies/ intercultural relations. They design their dissertations based on self-conducted research projects, applying and connecting methodological, theoretical, and empirical knowledge. The dissertation should reflect the student’s specialisation within the field of migration studies/intercultural relations and prove competence in scholarly work. Dissertations integrate trans-cultural and self-reflective perspectives as well as disciplinary/transdisciplinary international research results.
The full cohort meets at the start of semester four in December for a proposal colloquium (various partners involved) at the University of Oldenburg in order to prepare for the MA dissertation on a theoretical and methodological level – in cooperation with students’ first examiners (supervisor). Teachers from different partner universities are present and involved. Subsequently, students join supervision groups and have research colloquia at the selected partner university. Students are supposed to dedicate the fourth semester entirely to writing the MA dissertation to be submitted by 30 June.
MM41 consists of
a) the proposal colloquium at UOL in December,
b) a thesis colloquium (with supervision group) and
c) the actual dissertation writing

individual recommendations

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Deadline 30 June

MA dissertation of around 35.000 words (80 pages) plus presentation in proposal colloquium and supervision groups