African Languages, Independent project

The course is a freestanding course.

For a student to be admitted on the course, he/she must have completed the course AF2203 (Method and field work) or the equivalent. An additional requirement is language ability corresponding to English 6 or English level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School. 

An individual assignment in the subject area of African languages, mainly fieldwork that results in the writing of an academic paper. The subject is chosen in consultation with the supervisor. Before commencing his/her assignment, the student writes a plan for the work that is discussed with the supervisor or at a seminar. The thesis is defended at a seminar. As part of the course, a student should independently publicly discuss another thesis or research project.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate advanced knowledge of theory and method within African linguistics;

Competence and skills

• independently search for material, establish, formulate and solve problems; 
• delimit a subject area;
• independently identify and formulate a linguistic question and choose an appropriate method so that the work can be carried out in the time allocated for it;
• present skills in discussing orally and in writing previous proven knowledge that form the basis of the thesis;
• write a linguistic thesis using academically appropriate language and taking formal aspects into account;

Judgement and approach

• problematise theoretical and ethical issues, e.g. how one relates to other research and the responsibility of a scholar for his/her work; 
• show how the results of his/her study contribute to the knowledge development in the surrounding society;
• relate critically to and take responsibility for his or her own learning.

The teaching consists of supervision.

Language of instruction: English

The module is assessed through a research report in the form of an independent written work (thesis) that focuses on a specific linguistic issue. The thesis is defended orally at a seminar in the subject.
For more specific assessment criteria, see the department's style sheet for the assessment of theses.This is made available to the students at the beginning of the course.

A student who has taken two examinations in a course or a part of a course without obtaining a passing grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner unless there are special reasons to the contrary (HF 6 chap. 22§). Such a request should be made in writing to the department responsible for the course.

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg about special education support, the examiner may, in case it is consistent with the course objectives and provided that unreasonable resources are not required, decide to give the student an adapted examination or alternative examination form.

In case the course has been discontinued or undergone any larger changes the student is guaranteed access to at least three additional examination sessions (including regular examination sessions) within the time of at least one year. The same applies to placements and professional placements (VFU), although this is restricted to just one additional examination session.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

The students are given the opportunity to make a written evaluation of the course. The results of the evaluation are published digitally.

For the module, data collection in the geographic language area that is relevant for the topic is recommended.

Equality aspects should be taken into consideration in content, literature, teaching and evaluation.