JAP4595 – Master's Thesis in Japanese Studies
Course description
Course content
The Master’s thesis represents an independent piece of research, carried out under supervision. The research question should be precisely defined, the method well founded and the argumentation systematically presented. The subject and research topic for the thesis may be chosen from a wide range of topics associated with modern and/or contemporary Japanese culture, history, international relations, politics, religion, society, literature, and language, and are chosen in cooperation with the supervisor.
The thesis should be between 35 to 50 pages (approx. 2300 characters per page) and should include Japanese sources.
Learning outcome
- The writing of the thesis provides students with training in developing research projects from original idea to fully completed research report in the form of a Master’s thesis.
- An aim of the thesis work is also to develop the students’ ability to critically and independently assess source material in accordance with relevant theories.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Admission to HFM2-AAS JAPST.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
JAP4010 – Theory and Method in Japanese Studies
AMS4900 – International Project Term in Asia and the Middle East
or studies abroad or EAST4610 – Voices from East Asia: How to Communicate Research Results and JAP4020 – Methodologies and Data Collection in Japanese Studies in the third semester
Overlapping courses
- 30 credits overlap with JAP4693 – Master's Thesis in Modern Japan.
Teaching
Academic supervision of the Master’s thesis is compulsory. Up to 8 hours of individual supervision will be given. Supervisors will be assigned by the department. Supervision commences when the Supervision Agreement is signed.
Compulsory activities
- You must give a presentation about your thesis at a thesis seminar in order to hand in your thesis. Such seminars take place 1-3 times per semester and are led by a member of the academic staff.
Teaching
The teaching consists of seminars and supervision throughout the semester. Academic supervision for the master’s thesis is mandatory, and you will receive up to 8 hours of individual supervision.
Compulsory activity
Compulsory attendance: You must attend 6 out of 8 scheduled supervision appointments.
Compulsory oral assignment: You must give a presentation about your thesis at a thesis seminar in order to hand in your thesis. Such seminars take place 1-3 times per semester and are led by a member of the academic staff.
Supervision is arranged directly between you and your supervisor.
All compulsory activities must be approved to qualify for the exam. It is your responsibility to verify that you have obtained approval for all compulsory activities.
An approved oral presentation and superivison is valid on a permanent basis.
Absence from compulsory activities:
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.
More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Master thesis
Submission of master thesis in Inspera: see guides for digital exams
Submission of master thesis in DUO
Fill in and submit the form Submission of thesis/Issuance of Diplom
The course will be assessed through a written master’s thesis of 35-50 pages. One standard page is approximately 2300 characters without spaces, including references. The front page, bibliography and appendixes are not included in the page count.
The Master`s thesis is to be handed in by 1 December in the Autumn semester and 1 June in the Spring semester.
You will find guidelines for submission in DUO and submitting the online form on this page:
The examination committee consists of an external and an internal examiner (who has not been the student's supervisor).
You are personally responsible for familiarizing yourself with the requirements and deadlines for the exam.
All compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.
You can find more information about the exam on the semester page of the course.
Language of examination
You can write your thesis in English (recommended) or a Scandinavian language.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.