Human geography AV, Independent Reading Course, 7,5 credits

Aim

The aim of the reading course is to develop students’ theoretical and methodological knowledge within a particular area of tourism/human geography research by conducting a focused literature review. This course aims at providing students with a solid background knowledge on a given topic and prepare them for the individual Master’s thesis research project. The course will also provide students with the opportunity to practice their skills in retrieving relevant literature, identifying reliable academic sources, analyzing, summarizing, and reporting academic research material.

Course objectives

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to demonstrate:

- The ability to critically analyze, summarize and report on a specific research topic in written form within a given timeframe
- Understanding of the main theories and concepts with the chosen research topic
- Understanding of the main methodological approaches with the chosen research topic
- Understanding of the state-of-art research and main knowledge gaps within the chosen research topic
- Ability to position their own thesis project within the chosen research topic and formulate relevant research questions.

Content

The reading course is intended to add flexibility to the Master Program by providing students with an opportunity to develop specific interest into a particular area of geographic research as it applies to tourism. Thus, the content of the reading course is highly oriented toward the student’s own research interests and the chosen master’s thesis project topic. The literature list for the reading course is developed individually by a student in cooperation with and approval by the appointed thesis supervisor.

Entry requirements

Bachelor exam in human geography, tourism studies or similar disciplines. TOEFL with a minimum score of 550 on a paper-based test and not below 4.0 on the TWE, or 213 on a computer-based test and not below 4 on Essay Rating, or a minimum score of 79 on internet based test and not below 17 on the TWE.
- IELTS (Academic Training) with a minimum overall score of 6.0 and a minimum score on the specific parts of at least 5.0

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

Regular update reporting and meetings with the reading course instructor.

Examination form

As a result of the reading course, the students are expected to submit a detailed literature review report. The latter report is based on the investigated academic literature, which should comprises a mix of scientific books (text books, hand books, encyclopedia), journal articles and other academic materials, such as conference proceedings and professional scientific reports.

Grading system

Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.