MJ5900 Master Thesis Course description

The master's thesis is a scientific work in media development in general and the field of study in particular. The master's thesis must be completed either as a theoretical (1st) or a practical / theoretical (2nd) thesis.

The theoretical master's thesis is a scientific investigation of a theoretical and / or empirical nature. It represents an independent research work carried out under supervision. That the student should relate to an issue within the field of study may mean:

• questions related to material (text in the broadest sense) from journalism / media and communication / non-fiction
• questions related to practice and professional practice in journalism / media and communication / non-fiction
• questions related to journalism / media and communication / non-fiction as a social institution
• questions related to journalism / media and communication / non-fiction as a business
• questions that connect other fields with the field of study (eg globalization studies, technology studies, economics studies, gender studies, language studies, media anthropology, or the like, or links between the three fields of study's subject areas)

The practical / theoretical assignment is an advanced, individual development work within the field of study's subject area connected with research theoretical and methodological reflection.

The practical production is intended for a medium / an enterprise belonging to the field of study and field of practice

The theoretical part can be a critical-theoretical reflection on the creation of the development work and possibly its reception, and / or on language, tools, themes or the like. The theoretical reflection must be based on the subject's scientific theory and method.

The practical and the theoretical part are linked together in that the practical part is used as material for the theoretical-analytical reflection in the written part.

The choice of practical master's thesis takes place in consultation with the supervisor, who in each case assesses whether the student has the necessary prior knowledge required by the planned project.

Students are encouraged to seek partners in working life within the field of study and field of practice (ie editorial environments / media companies / communication companies / publishers or similar) in the preparation of both the theoretical and practical variant of the master's thesis.