Master of Arts - Research

Overview

For candidates holding a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree or equivalent (a degree which includes a significant research training component), the Master of Arts - Research is a research-only degree. Students work with a supervisor to complete a substantial research thesis (40,000 - 50,000 words). Candidates without previous research training will normally undertake 24 credit points of coursework before they start working on the thesis.

Entry Requirements

Students will normally have an undergraduate degree with a major in the discipline area of the proposed research thesis.

There are two entry points for this degree:

Bachelor of Arts (Pass). Students entering the degree from a Bachelor of Arts (Pass) will complete a 72 credit point degree, consisting of 24 credit points of coursework (ARTS901 Master of Arts Research Methods or other research training coursework deemed equivalent) and, subject to satisfactory completion (see below), a 48 credit point research thesis on a disciplinary or interdisciplinary topic.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Master of Arts by coursework (including a research training component). Students holding the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with Honours Class II, division II or higher, or Master of Arts by coursework with an average of at least 70%, may apply for admission into the Master of Arts - Research degree with Advanced Standing for the 24 credit points of coursework. They will complete the 48 credit point research thesis on a disciplinary or interdisciplinary topic.

All applications must be approved by the Head of Postgraduate Studies (HPS) in the relevant School. Approval depends on the availability of supervision for the proposed thesis topic. Priority is given to topics related to the areas of research strength in the Faculty of Arts:

CAPSTRANS (Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies)

Citizens, States and Power

Innovations in Cultural Research

Literature, Identity and Culture

Course Requirements

1. Entry from a Bachelor of Arts (Pass):

Students will complete 24 credit points of coursework (ARTS901 Master of Arts Research Methods or equivalent) and a 48 credit point thesis in their chosen field of study. Students who achieve 70% or higher in the coursework component will proceed to the research thesis. The precise thesis topic will be determined in consultation with supervisors and the HPS. Students who achieve a Pass result lower than 70% will either need to re-enrol in the coursework subjects before proceeding to the research thesis, or they may withdraw from the Master of Arts - Research and enrol in a relevant Master of Arts by coursework degree, where they can apply for Advanced Standing for 24 credit points of coursework.

The 24 credit point coursework subject ARTS901 Master of Arts Research Methods provides students with training in the theories and methodologies which inform research in the humanities and social sciences. This training includes theoretical perspectives as well as an introduction to research techniques and the preparation of a detailed research proposal leading up to the thesis. In some cases other coursework subjects may be accepted by the HPS as equivalent to ARTS901.

2. Entry from a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or equivalent:

Students will complete a 48 credit point thesis in their chosen field of study. The precise thesis topic will be determined in consultation with supervisors and the HPS.

Time limits

Full time students will normally complete the 72 credit point degree in three (3) sessions and the 48 credit point degree in two (2) sessions. The minimal time in which to complete the Master of Arts - research degree is two (2) sessions (not including Summer Session) for full time students, the maximum is four (4) sessions (not including Summer Session). Part time students should complete the course in a minimal time of four (4) sessions and a maximum of eight (8) sessions.

Fields of Study

The Master of Arts - Research is offered in the following fields of study:

Aboriginal Studies

Asia-Pacific Studies

Communications

Employment Relations

English Literatures

French

Gender Studies

Global Labour Studies

Global Studies

History

International Relations

Italian

Japanese

Linguistics

Media and Cultural Studies

Philosophy

Politics

Science, Technology and Society

Sociology

Spanish

War and Society

Interdisciplinary topics as negotiated with the relevant Head(s) of Postgraduate Studies are also available for study.

Assessment

Coursework

The 24 credit point coursework component (ARTS901 or equivalent) will be assessed by written assignments (essays, literature reviews) and seminar papers.

Thesis

On commencement of the research component of the course, candidates and their supervisors complete a Confirmation of Candidature Form that identifies the topic, a plan and timetable for the thesis, resource needs and skills required to complete the project. Students meet regularly with their supervisor(s) to ensure that their progress is in line with the agreed plan. After six months of candidature the student will meet with supervisor(s) and the HPS for a Proposal Review. If the candidature goes over more than one year, students and supervisors must submit an Annual Progress Report (APR). The APR is the means by which the University assesses the progress of the candidature and decides whether it will continue into the following year. Supervisors who have concerns about a student's progress may also initiate a progress review at other times during the candidature. When the thesis is submitted it is examined by two supervisors chosen from a list prepared by the supervisor(s) in consultation with the student.

Students are advised to consult the University's Code of Practice - Supervision at the following web address:

www.uow.edu.au/handbook/codesofprac/cop_supervision.html

For further information about the Faculty's areas of research strength, please consult the Faculty's website at www.uow.edu.au/arts/

For more technical information about the degree progress, please consult the website of the University's Office of Research at www.uow.edu.au/research/rsc/

Last reviewed: 19 October, 2007