Course syllabus - English for English Teachers 8, Degree Project

Objectives

The objective of the course is to give students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with scientific approaches while carrying out a degree project with a focus on language teaching and learning.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
1. define and argue for an appropriate didactic research aim regarding English as a foreign language
2. independently plan and conduct a study on English as a foreign language, while applying a relevant theoretical perspective and adequate methods
3. search, select, critically analyze, and understand scientific literature and theories of relevance to the chosen research task, as well as relate their own study to previous research
4. methodically reflect on the knowledge gathered and relate it to the chosen research question, thus contributing to the development of the research area, the profession, and their own professional role
5. independently write a substantial, scientific report in academic English and in accordance with the requirements of the genre
6. within the field of English as a foreign language, demonstrate their knowledge of, and make judgments regarding, issues pertaining to ethics, the theory of science, and research methodology
7. receive and evaluate criticism and comments from others, as well as review other students' projects and provide constructive criticism

Course content

- Planning and carrying out a degree project that meets the requirements of a scientific approach to a didactic research question related to the subject English
- Defending one’s own work as well as reviewing and discussing other students' work

Tuition

Teaching and learning take place in the form of lectures, seminars, supervision, and an empirical study, and are based to a significant extent on ICT.

Specific requirements

179.5 credits from the study program for upper-secondary subject teachers, including 37.5 credits from the educational science courses (of which 3 credits for the ‘PM’ in research methods), 15 credits of placement practice, 52.5 credits in English (of which 30 credits from English 1 and 2), and a total of 60 credits in the major subject.

Examination

UPS1, Degree project with public defence, 15 credits, regarding learning outcomes 1-7, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
The grade is primarily based on the finished degree project, though some importance is attached to the student’s performance at the public defence.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail