Research (research seminar and final thesis)

An important element in the second semester is the research seminar (10 ECTS credits). The research seminar Europe in the wider world focuses on a selected number of cultural issues, which should lead to a better understanding of the establishment and development of cultural identities, cultural transformation processes perceived from within and outside of Europe as well as the impact of political and social processes on European culture(s) and cultures in Europe and vice versa. Each of the partner institutions will link the European (and its national) perspective to another part of the world and vice versa. (See annex for an overview of the fields of expertise). This seems a most effective way to obtain better insight knowledge of the role culture plays in a wider perspective. The topics which will be studied in the seminar might vary per year, because these will be chosen on the basis of current issues and the expertise of the institution available. Also the location of the institution plays a role in deciding on the theme to be selected as Deusto (Bilbao-San Sebastian) and Strasbourg is situated in the southern, Groningen situated in the western, Göttingen situated in the central, Krakow and Olomouc situated in the eastern and Uppsala situated in the northern part of Europe. It is assumed that the location of an institution has a certain influence on the perspective taken with regard to the themes involved. In general, in these seminars students are trained to do independent research taking into account current theories and methodologies concerning various specialisations. This training will be extended when a student chooses to follow the research track. In that case two additional research seminars have to be taken to develop more in-depth knowledge as well as research skills.

In the second semester the student makes a start with the preparation of an MA thesis (15 ECTS credits). The thesis is completed in the third semester. This offers the possibility of making use of expertise and sources at two different universities. The MA-thesis is a written report based on interdisciplinary source and literature research the student has done on a subject that fits within the framework of the Euroculture programme. The subject should be related to one or more of the units of the first or the second semester of the Euroculture programme. The MA-thesis could also be a more extended version of the seminar paper that was prepared for the Intensive Programme. It should address a focus point in educational and cultural relations between EU and a particular part of the World (the country of origin of the graduate or another country of interest or a country where they intend to live and work). In close discussion with a senior lecturer or the Director of Studies, students independently choose a subject for their thesis, formulate an academic problem definition, and if necessary choose an adequate theoretical framework and a relevant research methodology. At the beginning of the 2nd semester a supervisor will be appointed to the student. The MA-thesis should be written in English or the national language of the institution, and should consist of about 60 pages (approximately 24.000 words). The structure of the thesis should consist of an introduction, including a definition of the central problem of the MA thesis, a number of chapters in which the problem is analysed, based on extensive study of secondary literature, and, if possible, on primary sources and a conclusion where the student?s own judgement, capacity of analysis and synthesis and ability to project towards the future could become evident.