Masterīs Degree Programme in Literature. 2 years, 120 ECTS credits. Curriculum

I.Programme description II.Progression of the programme Study programmes III. Course catalogue

Qualification awarded: Master of Philosophy in Literature
Language of instruction: depends on the discipline/language/level. See relevant course descriptions.

I. Programme description 1. Contents
The masterīs degree programme in literature encompasses advanced studies in literature as an extension of bachelor degree studies. The programme is an integrated study in literary subject areas, which represent a specialization and deepening compared to bachelor degree level. In addition to studies in literary subjects, and possibly in related subjects, the programme requires the student to write a masterīs degree dissertation, which is an independent academic undertaking.

2. Competence objectives, access to further studies and professional prospects
The programme is relevant for work within, for example, cultural promotion, publishing, media, advertising and public administration. What distinguishes masterīs degree competence in literature from bachelor degree competence in literature is, additionally, academic specialization: the extensive, independent academic work (the masterīs degree dissertation), which represents an experience in project work that is relevant for higher positions in the public and business sectors. A Master of Philosopy in Literature, plus one yearīs practical and educational training (praktisk-pedagogisk utdanning, PPU) offers lecturer competence if the student has at least one school subject in this academic sphere of activity. The programme is a qualification for acceptance onto the Ph.D. programme in Literary Studies

3. Programme coordinator
The programme committee.

4. Subjects involved
Comparative Literature, English, Finnish, French, Nordic Studies, Russian, Sami Studies, German.

5. Admission requirement
In order to be accepted into the programme, the student must have a Bachelor of Arts from the bachelor degree programme in literature, or language and literature, or language and economy, or equivalent. In certain subject combinations, the bachelor degree programme in language may also provide a qualification for acceptance. 90 credits are required of specialization in one of the subjects listed in point 4 above. The different study programmes have varying requirements in the distribution between literature, culture and language subjects for acceptance onto the programme. In order to be accepted onto the masterīs degree programme, an average grade of C or above is required in subjects that form part of the direction of studies within the bachelor degree programme. Students with a cand. mag. degree (equivalent to an M.A.) must have a mellomfag with an average character of 2,7 or above in the subject qualifying for admission to the programme.

6. Programme structure diagramme
The programme consists of the following component parts:

• 60 credits masterīs degree dissertation
• 60 credits subjects, of which at least 30 credits must be literary subjects defined by the study guide

The maximum 30 credits that are free choice may be literary or language subjects, or subjects from other relevant fields, preferably chosen so as to support the work of the masterīs degree dissertation or to place the masterīs degree studies in a thematic context. The free choice subjects should normally be from 3000-level; if a student choses to take subjects from a lower level, this must be justified by the work for the masterīs degree dissertation, recommended by the supervisor and authorized by the programme committee.

7. Masterīs degree dissertation
The masterīs degree dissertation carries a value of 60 credits. The dissertation should normally be written on an individual basis. In the case of certain study programmes, the dissertation may be written in conjunction with others if it can be clearly demonstrated who has written what. The theme of the dissertation is chosen by the student in consultation with the academic supervisor.

8. Study programmes

• Study programme in Comparative Literature
• Study programme in English
• Study programme in Finnish
• Study programme in French
• Study programme in Nordic Studies
• Study programme in Russian
• Study programme in Sami Studies
• Study programme in German

9. Student exchange
The feasibility of including a period of study abroad is dependent upon the study programme. Generally speaking, it is possible to undertake parts of the study programme abroad (1-2 semesters), preferably through development agreements with universities/institutes of higher education in Europe, the USA, Canada, Asia and Australia. It is recommended that the courses taken should be at 2000 and/or 3000 level. The students will receive help with admission, accommodation and choice of course. It is possible to apply for a scholarship via all the Erasmus and Nordplus agreements.

10. Part-time study
The programme is available to those wishing to study part-time, although it will not always be possible to offer tailored teaching programmes to this student group.

11. Common subjects
See relevant study programme.

12. Teaching and evaluation method, assessment, examination Teaching is offered in the form of lectures and seminars. As far as the masterīs degree dissertation is concerned, candidates work under supervision provided throughout the entire writing process. The masterīs degree dissertation is evaluated by grading on a scale of A to F; the other subjects are either evaluated in the same way or with a grading of pass/fail, according to the nature of the subject. For information about examination; please see individual course descriptions.

13. Student evaluation
The students will be given the opportunity to evaluate the teaching of all study subjects on two occasions: - About halfway through the course, in the form of a conversation between the teacher(s) and students, or a written feedback to the teacher(s), and/or administrator for the study programme within which each subject is based. - At the end of the course students are requested to complete a manual or electronic evaluation form that guarantees full anonymity.

II. Study Progression
Recommended study progression:

This table shows a distribution between different types of subject in accordance with the framework of the programme, but the number of free choice subjects varies from study programme to study programme. See point 6 in section I, Programme composition and the descriptions of the individual study programmes below.

Course descriptions
For an overview of the courses for all disciplines, see http://uit.no/studies/courses/1 or for this semester: http://uit.no/humfak/3514/.

Interdisciplinary courses
Note that for some disciplines, interdisciplinary courses are offered. These are signified with HIF-codes. See each discipline for more information.

Study Programme in Comparative Literature

I. Description of Study Programme

1. Acceptance qualifications
A Bachelor of Arts is required with specialization in literature (90 credits), or equivalent, with at least 50 credits in 1000-level subjects in Comparative Literature. See also under point 5, "Prerequisite Qualifications", in the programme description for more information concerning qualifications for acceptance.

2. Studies structure
The study programme is composed as follows:

Free choice subjects
See point 6, "Programme composition", in the programme description for criteria concerning the type of free choice subjects that may be pursued in these studies.

3. Masterīs degree dissertation
The masterīs degree dissertation is a literary academic dissertation that is written on a self-selected topic. The dissertation will normally be 80-100 printed pages in length and is submitted in the final semester of studies. There is an specialized syllabus consisting of 15 large-scale works, or equivalent, linked to the dissertation. The dissertation must be written on an individual basis.

4. Internationalization
See point 9 in the programme description and the facultyīs Website for more information.

II. Study Progression

Recommended progression:

Study Programme in English

I. Description of Study Programme

1. Acceptance qualifications
A Bachelor of Arts is required with specialization in English (90 credits), or equivalent. See also under point 5, "Prerequisite Qualifications", in the programme description for more information concerning qualifications for acceptance.

2. Studies structure
The study programme is composed as follows:

• 30 credits ENG-3000 subjects in literature/culture
• 60 credits masterīs degree dissertation
• 30 credits free choice subjects

The 30 credits in ENG-3000 subjects are compulsory. The subjects may be selected freely from the teaching options available in literature/culture at 3000 level. The actual subjects available are dependent on the resources available at any one time. See section III for an overview. The students generally take all the subjects during their first year of study and work on their dissertation during their second year. The masterīs degree dissertation may be submitted once the examinations at ENG-3000 level have been completed. See the table in section II for the recommended study progression.

Free choice subjects
See point 6, "Programme composition", in the programme description for criteria concerning the type of free choice subjects that may be pursued in these studies.

3. Masterīs degree dissertation
The masterīs degree dissertation is a relatively short academic dissertation on a limited topic within the literary/cultural academic field and is normally 80-100 printed pages in length. The dissertation is usually written on an individual basis, but it is perfectly possible for a larger-scale research project to be undertaken in which several students and/or academic staff work together. Provided it is made clear who has written what, the dissertation may, in special cases, be written on a group basis. The dissertation must be written in English. The dissertation topic may be chosen by the student, in consultation with an academic member of staff. In some instances there will also be the opportunity to write the masterīs degree dissertation on a given subject, and/or a theme linked to one of the ENG-3000 subjects in literature/culture.

4. Internationalization
See point 9 in the programme description and the facultyīs Website for more information.

II. Study Progression

Recommended Progression:

Study Programme in Finnish

I. Description of Study Programme

1. Acceptance qualifications
A Bachelor of Arts is required with specialization in Finnish (90 credits), or equivalent. See also under point 5, "Prerequisite Qualifications", in the programme description for more information concerning qualifications for acceptance.

2. Studies structure
The study programme is composed as follows:

Free choice subjects
See point 6, "Programme composition", in the programme description for criteria concerning the type of free choice subjects that may be pursued in these studies.

3. Masterīs degree dissertation
The masterīs degree dissertation is an independent academic work in Finnish literary studies and is normally 80-120 printed pages in length. The theme and its boundaries must be academically motivated. The dissertation should be written in Finnish or Norwegian, or another language in consultation with the studentīs supervisor. The masterīs degree dissertation must be written on an individual basis.

4. Internationalization
See point 9 in the programme description and the faculty's Website for more information.

II. Study Progression

Recommended Progression:

Study Programme in French

I. Study Programme Description

1. Prerequisite Qualifications
A Bachelor of Arts specializing in French (90 credits), or equivalent, is required. See additionally under point 5, "Required Previous Qualifications/Courses" in the programme description for more information about prerequisite qualifications.

2. Study Structure
This study programme is comprised of the following:

• 30 credits FRA-3000 literature subjects
• 60 credits masterīs degree dissertation
• 30 points (ECTS) free choice subjects

The 30 credits in FRA-3000 subjects are compulsory and these are divided between the Autumn and Spring semesters, as shown in the table in Section II. Students normally take all the courses in their first year of study and work on their masterīs degree dissertation during their second year. The dissertation may be submitted once the examinations relating to FRA-3000 subjects have been completed. See the table in Section II for a recommended study progression.

Free Choice Subjects
It is recommended that students should take FRA-3000 subjects or other subjects that are relevant to their masterīs degree dissertation. See also point 6, "Programme Summary", in the programme description for details concerning which types of free choice subjects may be included in the study programme.

3. Masterīs Degree Dissertation
The masterīs degree dissertation will form an independent academic piece of work on a self-selected topic within literary studies. The topic must be approved by the supervisor. The dissertation must be written on an individual basis and should be 80-100 pages in length. Although the work relating to the masterīs degree dissertation is assigned to the final two semesters in the guidelines for study progression below, students should decide upon the topic for their dissertation and begin work upon it as early as possible.

4. Internationalization
See point 9 in the programme description and the faculty Website for more information.

Guidelines for progression:

Study Programme in Nordic Studies

I. Description of the Study Programme

1. Acceptance qualifications
A Bachelor of Arts is required with specialization in Nordic Studies of 60 credits at the 1000-level and 30 credits at the 2000-level (NOR- or HIF-subjects approved for the study programme i Nordic), or equivalent. Of these 90 credits, 50 credits must be in language and 40 credits in literature, or vice versa. See also under point 5, Prerequisite Qualifications, in the programme description for more information concerning qualifications for acceptance.

2. Studies structure
The study programme is composed as follows:

• 30 credits NOR-3000 subjects, defined by the study programme (NOR-3112 Common subject in Nordic literature and two free choice NOR-3000-subjects)
• 60 credits masterīs degree dissertation
• 30 credits free choice subjects

The compulsory subject NOR-3112 Common subject in Nordic literature is normally offered in the autumn semester. See the table in section II for for an overview of possible study progression.

30 credits free choice subjects
See point 6, "Programme composition", in the programme description.

3. Masterīs degree dissertation
The masterīs degree dissertation must be an independent academic piece of work on a self-selected theme within the literary studies field. The theme must be authorized by the supervisor. The dissertation should normally be written on an individual basis, but can also be written on a group basis. The scope of an individual dissertation will normally be 80-130 printed pages in length, whilst the scope of a dissertation written on a group basis will be greater. The different sections of a group dissertation must be identifiably linked to each person in the group. The student must also submit an electronic version of the dissertation, according to the guidelines of the university library. Additionally, the student must enter into a binding agreement with the faculty. Although the work on the master's dissertation is scheduled for the three last semesters in the recommended srudy progression, the student should decide on the dissertation topic and begin to work on a project description as early as possible. At the NOR-3112 examination, the student is required to use bokmål if the master's dissertation (NOR-3910) is written in nynorsk, or vice versa. As for the language of examination in the other 3000-level subjects, the student may choose freely between bokmål and nynorsk.

4. Internationalization
See point 9 in the programme description and the facultyīs Website for more information.

II. Study Progression

Recommended progression:

Discipline of Russian

I. Description of Study Programme

1. Acceptance qualifications
A Bachelor of Arts is required with specialization in Russian (90 credits), or equivalent. See also under point 5, "Prerequisite Qualifications", in the programme description for more information concerning qualifications for acceptance.

2. Studies structure
The study programme is composed as follows:

Free choice subjects
See point 6, Programme composition, in the programme description for criteria concerning which types of free choice subjects may be pursued in these studies.

3. Masterīs degree dissertation
The masterīs degree dissertation is an independent piece of work on a theme within Russian literary studies. The theme is chosen by the student in consultation with the academic teacher. The dissertation will normally be 60-100 printed pages in length. The dissertation is written on an individual basis, but may also form part of a larger research project in which several students and/or academic staff work together. The dissertation should be written in Russian or Norwegian, or another language, in consultation with the supervisor. The work on the dissertation extends over four semesters. In order to support the work in the most productive fashion, five study points are set aside for the dissertation in each of the first two semesters. During the first semester the theme of the dissertation is decided upon in consultation with the academic teachers, and a project description is written. During the second semester the student carries out a minor investigation which may be included as a chapter in the dissertation. The main emphasis of the work takes place during the third and fourth semesters.

4. Internationalization See point 9 in the programme description and the facultyīs Website for more information.

II. Study Progression

Supervised progression:

Study Programme in Sami Studies

I. Description of Study Programme

1. Acceptance qualifications A Bachelor of Arts is required with specialization in Sami Studies (90 credits), or equivalent. See also under point 5, Prerequisite Qualifications, in the programme description for more information concerning qualifications for acceptance.

2. Studies structure The study programme is composed as follows:

Subjects
The subjects are grouped according to interest and should primarily serve a supporting role to the masterīs degree dissertation. Two literary subjects are offered, SAM-3113 Indigenous peoples' literary theory and SAM-3114 Nils-Aslak Vakepääs' lyric poetry. See also point 6, "Programme composition", in the programme description for criteria concerning which types of free choice subjects may be pursued in these studies.

3. Masterīs degree dissertation
The masterīs degree dissertation is an independent piece of work on a self-selected topic. The theme of the dissertation must be authorized by the supervisor. The dissertation should be 80-120 pages in length and will be evaluated as both a process and a completed academic product. The dissertation should preferably be written on an individual basis; only in special cases will permission be given to write on a group basis. The masterīs degree thesis will normally be written in Sami.

4. Internationalization See point 9 in the programme description and the faculty's Website for more information.

II. Study Progression

Recommended progression:

*Autumn 2006/Spring 2007: Changes can occur.

Study Programme in German

I. Description of Study Programme

1. Acceptance qualifications
A bachelor of Arts is required with specialization in German (90 credits), or equivalent. See also under point 5, "Prerequisite Qualifications", in the programme description for more information concerning qualifications for acceptance.

2. Studies structure
The study programme is composed as follows:

Free choice subjects
Two free choice subjects are offered in TYS-3000 literary subjects (TYS-3114 Two cultures: literature and science, and TYS-3113 Jewish-German studies) in the Autumn and Spring semesters respectively. See point 6, "Programme composition", in the programme description for criteria concerning which types of free choice subjects may be pursued in these studies.

3. Masterīs degree dissertation The masterīs degree dissertation is an independent piece of work on a self-selected topic. The dissertation should normally be 60-100 printed pages in length. The dissertation must be written on an individual basis, and the topic should be chosen as early as possible in the study period, in consultation with the academic teacher. The masterīs degree dissertation must be written in German.

4. Internationalization See point 9 in the programme description and the facultyīs Website for more information.

II. Study Progression

Supervised progression: