Master of Science in Global...
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UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN Master of Science in Global Development Curriculum 2014 This curriculum was approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences on 25 August 2014.
Transcript of Master of Science in Global...
U N I V E R S I T Y O F C O P E N H A G E N
Master of Science in Global Development Curriculum 2014
This curriculum was approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences on 25 August 2014.
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Contents
1. PREAMBLE ..................................................................................................................... 4
2. PROGRAMME OBJECTIVE AND COMPETENCE PROFILE ........................................ 4
2.1 Objective ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Competence profile ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Prescribed period of study and academic progress requirements .......................................................................... 5
2.4 Admission requirements and limits ........................................................................................................................... 6
3. PROGRAMME CONTENT AND ACADEMIC PROFILE ................................................. 6
3.1 Overall content of the MSc programme ................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Modules........................................................................................................................................................................ 7
3.3 Elective courses and project-oriented work ............................................................................................................. 7
3.4 Study abroad ............................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.5 Thesis ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7
4. EXAMINATIONS ............................................................................................................. 8
4.1 General information about examinations ................................................................................................................. 8
4.2 Written examinations ................................................................................................................................................. 9
4.3 Oral examinations ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
4.4 MSc thesis .................................................................................................................................................................. 10
4.5 Written agreements involving third parties (Section 43 agreement) .................................................................... 11
4.6 Plagiarism and exam cheating ................................................................................................................................. 11
4.7 Examination appeals ................................................................................................................................................ 12
5. MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS ............................................................................. 12
5.1 Enrolment .................................................................................................................................................................. 12
5.2 Disenrolment ............................................................................................................................................................. 12
5.3 Leave of absence ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
5.4 Changing study programme and transfers ............................................................................................................. 14
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5.5 Credit ......................................................................................................................................................................... 14
5.5.1 Preapproval and final approval of credit ............................................................................................................ 15
5.6 Exemption .................................................................................................................................................................. 15
5.7 Appeals procedure .................................................................................................................................................... 15
5.8 MSc certificate .......................................................................................................................................................... 16
5.9 Digital communication between the University and students ............................................................................... 16
6. COURSE CATALOGUE ................................................................................................ 17
6.1. Global Development: Theories, Facts and Current Issues (7.5 ECTS) ............................................................... 17
6.2 Advanced Research Methods in the Social Sciences (7.5 ECTS) .......................................................................... 18
6.3 Global Business and Economics (7.5 ECTS) .......................................................................................................... 20
6.4 Transnational Actors, Networks, and Place Making (7.5 ECTS) ......................................................................... 22
6.5 Global Politics (7.5 ECTS) ....................................................................................................................................... 24
6.6 Economic Growth and Inequality (7.5 ECTS) ....................................................................................................... 25
6.7 Field Methods and Fieldwork (15 ECTS) ............................................................................................................... 27
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1. PREAMBLE Graduates are awarded the title Master of Science (MSc) in Global Development.
The curriculum has been drawn up pursuant to the provisions set out in Ministerial Order no. 429 of
10 May 2012 on Bachelor and Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities (the University
Programme Order) (Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen)), Ministerial Order no. 241 of 11 March 2013 on
Admission and Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities
(Kandidatadgangsbekendtgørelsen), Ministerial Order no. 666 of 24 June 2012 on University
Examinations and Grading (the Examination Order) (Eksamensbekendtgørelsen)) and Ministerial
Order no. 250 of 15 March 2007 on the Grading Scale and Other Forms of Assessment of
University Education (the Grading Scale Order) (Karakterbekendtgørelsen)).
2. PROGRAMME OBJECTIVE AND COMPETENCE PROFILE
2.1 Objective
The University Programme Order stipulates that:
- The purpose of the master's programmes in the social science area is to qualify the student to
identify and analyse complex social phenomena and to apply theoretical and methodological
knowledge and skills within a wide range of professions in the public and private sectors,
including upper secondary schools.
- The master's programmes include one or more social science subjects or other subjects
relevant to the work of a social science graduate.
Furthermore, the MSc in Global Development programme has the following specific purposes:
1. Providing students with the opportunity to improve their skills and specialise in the social
science aspects of global development as well as working with other social science
disciplines.
2. Providing students with further academic knowledge, theoretical qualifications and
methodological competences to enable them to independently identify, formulate and solve
advanced complex issues within the social science aspects of global development.
3. Providing students with the basis for undertaking relevant job functions and qualifying them
for enrolment in a PhD programme in global development.
2.2 Competence profile
During the programme, students will acquire the knowledge, skills and competences listed below to
both work and conduct research in the field of global development. Students will also acquire
additional individual qualifications through elective courses, field and project work, and through
writing an MSc thesis.
Knowledge
An MSc in Global Development will:
- Possess knowledge on core anthropological, economic and political science theories and
concepts with relevance for globalisation and development.
- Possess knowledge on anthropological, economic and political science theories suitable for
understanding global flows; e.g. of goods and services, people, technologies and ideas.
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- Possess knowledge on economic, anthropological and political science theories suitable for
understanding economic growth and inequality.
- Be able to identify complex problems related to global development and possess knowledge,
based on the best international research, of theories and methodologies used to address such
problems, in addition to being able to critically reflect upon this knowledge on a scientific basis.
- Be able to discuss the importance of cultures and social norms in the contextualisation of
theories.
Skills
An MSc in Global Development will:
- Be able to identify and critically analyse key factors and forces shaping the livelihood and well-
being of individuals, populations and societies at global, regional, national and local levels,
taking into account both global and local perspectives.
- Be able to plan, collect, analyse and assess qualitative and quantitative data and possess
advanced skills to select, combine and prioritise the vast socio-economic data volumes available
through information technologies, such as global and local databases, web-based tools, remotely
sensed and geo-information systems.
- Independently analyse and evaluate policies and strategies for development and economic
growth in low and middle-income societies.
- With regard to validity, reliability and applicability, be able to critically evaluate, discuss and
prioritise among scientific literature and key methodologies in the field of global development.
- Communicate and discuss research-based knowledge, advice and decisions across cultures and
on different levels to/with researchers, policymakers, media, organisations and laypersons.
Competences
An MSc in Global Development will be able to:
- Evaluate, validate and disseminate existing data and design, carry out and coordinate
scientifically valid and focused research, to advance knowledge in a particular problem area or
issue within global development.
- Work effectively with cross-disciplinary problems on an individual basis as well as in teams,
and be able to provide evidence-based solutions to situations which are complex and require
new approaches.
- Independently assess and organise their learning process and assume responsibility for
continuous professional development with a view to life-long learning.
2.3 Prescribed period of study and academic progress requirements
The MSc in Global Development programme is prescribed to 120 ECTS, corresponding to two
years of full-time study, see Section 17(1) of the University Programme Order. The programme
consists of courses, a field course as well as a project-oriented course, if any, in collaboration with a
company or organisation, corresponding to a total of 90 ECTS, and a thesis, corresponding to 30
ECTS.
Students must take compulsory courses in the first two semesters, corresponding to 60 ECTS, and
must subsequently take elective courses and/or a project-oriented course, corresponding to 30
ECTS. The students can choose between the English-language elective courses within themes of
relevance to global development that are offered on the Master's programmes in Anthropology,
Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Geography and Geoinformatics, Environmental and
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Natural Resource Economics and African Studies at the University of Copenhagen. Courses of
studies corresponding to the third semester must be approved by the Head of Studies.
Academic progress requirements
With effect from 1 September 2013, all students must pass a minimum of 35 ECTS per academic
year. Students who do not comply with the progress requirements for a period of one full academic
year may have their registration withdrawn.
Students must enter into a thesis contract no later than three years after enrolling in the MSc
programme. Students are similarly obliged to comply with University and department rules
regarding compulsory deadlines for the submission of theses, as described in Section 19(6) and (7)
of the University Programme Order, and Section 14(3) and (4) of the Examination Order.
Students must also comply with any other general progress requirements prescribed by the
University of Copenhagen.
Students who do not comply with all applicable academic progress requirements or with the
requirement for entering into a thesis contract no later than three years after the time of enrolment,
will have their registration withdrawn by the University, see Section 17(3) of the Ministerial Order
on Admission and Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities.
Before any registration is withdrawn, the student concerned will be offered guidance with a view to
devising an individual strategy for fulfilling these requirements. An exemption from this rule may
be granted under special circumstances.
2.4 Admission requirements and limits
Admission to the MSc in Global Development programme requires a bachelor degree in social
sciences from a Danish university, a bachelor degree in geography and geoinformatics or a bachelor
degree in natural resources. Applicants within this group may be admitted if they comply with a
requirement for a minimum of 15 ECTS within qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies.
Furthermore, students must have passed English at level B or equivalent if English is not their
native language.
Applicants with a foreign application basis consisting of a bachelor degree in social sciences may
be admitted if they have a bachelor degree with a competence profile corresponding to the entrance
qualifications and if they otherwise comply with the admission requirements.
3. PROGRAMME CONTENT AND ACADEMIC PROFILE
3.1 Overall content of the MSc programme
The MSc programme builds upon the knowledge and insight acquired by students during their
bachelor studies.
In accordance with Section 21 of the University Programme Order, the programme consists of core
subjects reflecting the programme's particular academic objective and design, corresponding to 90
ECTS (of which the MSc thesis constitutes 30 ECTS) and elective courses (subjects) corresponding
to a total of 30 ECTS.
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3.2 Modules
In accordance with Section 6(2) of the University Programme Order, the modular structure of the
programme is designed to provide students with overall academic qualifications within a prescribed
timetable, which is defined in terms of ECTS points. All courses are subject to a modular structure.
The table shows how the first and second semesters are divided into compulsory courses providing
a general introduction to the global development-related subject areas (45 + 15 ECTS). The
programme is organised on the basis of the structure for the Common Market of Education with
modules of 7.5 ECTS per module and follows the year and timetable structure for the Common
Market of Education.
ECTS: 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5
1st semester 1) Global
Development: Theories,
Facts and Current
Issues
2) Advanced
Research
Methods in the
Social Sciences
3) Global
Business and
Economics
4) Transnational
Actors, People
and
Placemaking
2nd
semester 5) Global Politics 6) Economic
Growth and
Inequality
7) Field Methods/Field Course
(15 ECTS)
3rd
semester Study abroad, internship and/or courses within social science (30 ECTS)
4th
semester Thesis (30 ECTS)
For a detailed description of each of the MSc programme's courses, see the description of the
courses in the course description, which can be found at www.kurser.ku.dk.
3.3 Elective courses and project-oriented work
During the second year of the programme, students must choose elective courses in Denmark or
abroad and/or undertake project-oriented work (internship) in a company or an organisation as a
supplement to the otherwise prescribed curriculum.
In connection with credit transfers from other institutions, including foreign universities, it is
ensured that elective courses and/or project-oriented work (internship) do not correspond to more
than 30 ECTS.
3.4 Study abroad
It is possible to study abroad as a student enrolled in the MSc programme. However, students must
be aware that only courses corresponding to a maximum of 30 ECTS may be taken at a university
abroad.
Credits for courses taken at universities abroad are only transferable if the content of the course in
question is consistent with a corresponding course from the MSc programme, see Section 28(1) of
the University Programme Order.
3.5 Thesis
The MSc thesis must document skills in applying scientific theories and methodologies when
working with an academically clearly defined topic. The MSc thesis forms the final part of the MSc
programme, unless the University (Board of Studies) grants an exemption from this rule, see
Section 19(5) of the University Programme Order.
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4. EXAMINATIONS The objective of the examination is to assess whether, and to which extent, the students'
qualifications comply with the objectives stipulated in the curriculum, see Section 2(1) of the
Examination Order.
For more detailed information on the specific examinations, see section 6 ('Course Catalogue') and
the full course description, which can be found at www.kurser.ku.dk.
4.1 General information about examinations
4.1.1 Registration and withdrawal
Students are automatically registered for the appropriate examination when they register for a
course. Initial course registration counts as the first examination attempt, unless the registration is
withdrawn on time or the student is unable to complete the examination due to illness, see Section
14(1)-(4) of the Examination Order. Deadlines for withdrawal of registration are set by the study
administration and will normally be announced when the student registers.
4.1.2 Re-examination/make-up exam
On the MSc in Global Development programme, make-up exams/re-examinations are held in the
same semester in which the relevant courses were offered, see Section 18 of the Examination Order.
In the summer, make-up exams/re-examinations are held in August, and in the winter, make-up
exams/re-examinations are held in February. Generally, examinations will not be held in
continuation of a semester in which a course has not been offered, but the Board of Studies may
determine that make-up exams/re-examinations will nevertheless be held. Make-up exams/re-
examinations are for students who have participated in an examination without having passed the
examination and students who were absent during the ordinary examination due to documented
illness.
Fundamentally, the examination type used in connection with make-up exams/re-examinations is
the same as the examination type used at the ordinary examination, but the Board of Studies may
decide that the re-examination may be held using a different examination type than the type used at
the ordinary examination.
4.1.3 Academic assessment
An examination has been successfully completed when the assessment 'Pass', 'Approved' or the
grade 02 or higher is awarded. Examinations that have been passed cannot be retaken, see Section
13 of the Examination Order. Examinations take place at the conclusion of each course or during
the course. All courses are assessed according to the 7-point grading scale, unless otherwise
indicated in the course description.
External exams are assessed by an internal examiner and one or more external examiners appointed
by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education, see Section 20(3) of the Examination
Order.
4.1.4 Examination language
Examinations are conducted in English.
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4.1.5 Examination attempts
Students are allotted a maximum of three attempts to pass an examination, see Section 13(2) of the
Examination Order. In special circumstances, the Board of Studies may grant exemptions and allow
extra attempts. Lacking academic aptitude does not constitute special circumstances.
4.1.6 Special examination conditions
The University can arrange for special examination conditions for students with physical or mental
impairment. Such extraordinary examination conditions must not, however, change the standard of
the examination, see Section 7 of the Examination Order.
4.2 Written examinations
Written examinations may be held as an individual written examination at the University, by
submission of a written exam paper or as a combination of a written examination and an individual
oral examination.
The requirements for the length of the exam paper are specified under the individual course
descriptions. If the length exceeds the specified number of standard pages, the paper will be
rejected, and one examination attempt will have been used. The University (Board of Studies) may
grant exemptions under special circumstances.
Written papers can be undertaken either individually or in groups with other students. This
paragraph explains the rules of group examinations.
Joint written work is permitted provided that the contributions made by individual members of the
group can be clearly identified by the examiners and that individual assessments can be made on the
basis of these contributions. For group examinations, a separate and individual grade is therefore
given to each student.
When no grade is to be awarded or other form of assessment provided for a paper written by a
group of students, the paper may be included in the assessment of a subsequent oral examination,
see Section 4(4) of the Examination Order. At the oral examination, the individual student will be
examined on the basis of the entire group paper.
Furthermore, each student's contribution must be clearly marked in the paper, for instance in the
table of contents or in an appendix. The introduction and conclusion, as well as any subconclusions
and/or summaries, may be written collectively.
If individual authorship within a group paper is not clearly ascertainable, the paper will be rejected
by the examiners. As a result, the whole group will have to submit a new paper. Each submission of
the paper counts as one examination attempt.
4.3 Oral examinations
Oral examinations must be taken individually. In connection with an oral examination, a submitted
written paper may be included in the assessment. If a project or paper has been produced by several
students as a joint endeavour and is to be defended orally, only the student currently being
examined may be present in the room, not their co-authors.
Oral examinations are always open to the public.
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4.4 MSc thesis
The MSc thesis is the final element in the programme. However, in special cases, students can
apply to the Board of Studies for an exemption from this rule, see Section 19(5) of the University
Programme Order.
Writing and spelling skills are a part of the overall assessment of the thesis, although the academic
content will be given the highest weight, see Section 24(1) of the Examination Order. The Board of
Studies has the authority to grant exemptions from this rule for students who are able to document a
relevant and specific impairment.
The thesis must include a summary. The summary is included in the overall assessment of the
thesis.
Description of the objectives for the MSc thesis:
- Formulating, defining and operationalising a social science issue in relation to global
development in a broad sense. The thesis is prepared on the basis of the courses and other
teaching activities (including courses merited from other study programmes) covered by the
MSc in Global Development programme.
- Choosing, discussing and applying relevant theoretical and empirical approaches to
anthropological, economic or political science issues (at the MSc programme level) of relevance
to the selected analysis and the associated empirical data.
- Documenting and explaining the analysis conducted and accounting for its strengths and
weaknesses.
- Providing a logical, clear and linguistically correct presentation of the selected issue and its
clarification.
- The thesis is defended in an oral defence based on the student's written presentation. In
connection with the oral defence, the student must demonstrate a command of the
methodologies applied in connection with the preparation of the thesis, and must be able to
account for the issue of the thesis and its clarification in a clear and comprehensible manner.
The Head of Studies must approve the student's choice of topic for the MSc thesis and set a
deadline for its submission, see Section 19(5)-(6) of the University Programme Order.
Rules on deadlines for submission appear from a thesis contract which thesis students, supervisors
and the Head of Studies must enter into at the start of the work on the thesis; the rules on writing the
thesis appear from the contract text. Thesis students must comply with the rules on confidentiality
and collaboration with third parties as well as confidentiality as specified by the Faculty of Social
Sciences.
Spelling and writing skills are weighted in the overall assessment of the thesis, but the academic
content must be given the highest weight, see Section 24(1) of the Examination Order. The
University (Board of Studies) may grant exemptions from this provision for students who are able
to document a relevant and specific impairment, unless spelling and writing skills are significant
objectives of the examination.
The following rules apply to the preparation and submission of the thesis: The student must enter
into a contract with the supervisor and the Board of Studies. The contract must contain an outline
and a work plan. The supervisor(s) and the student must sign the outline, and the Head of Studies
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must approve this outline and the work plan. When such approval has been granted, the student has
a deadline of six months to finish the thesis.
Failure to submit the thesis by the deadline stipulated in the contract described above will count as
an examination attempt. The student may then have a second attempt, for which a new thesis
contract with a revised problem statement must be drafted within the previously stipulated thesis
topic. The new thesis contract must be submitted fourteen days at the latest after the original thesis
submission deadline. If the deadline is exceeded, the additional time the student uses to rewrite the
thesis contract will be subtracted from the allotted three-month timeframe described below. Once
the new thesis contract is approved, a new submission deadline is assigned, which will be three
months after the approval of the thesis contract.
If the student does not deliver the thesis within this deadline, a third attempt may be granted, see the
Examination Order, according to the same rules that stipulated the second attempt. Once a deadline
has been set for submission, students cannot withdraw, see Section 27(3) of the Examination Order.
Exemptions from the deadline for submissions may be granted in special circumstances by the
Board of Studies.
Entering into subsequent contracts in connection with the expiry of previous contracts is a
prerequisite for the student's continued enrolment in the programme. This means that, if the student
does not enter into the second or third contract after the expiry of the first or second contract, the
student may be deregistered from the programme (see Section 17(1), Items 2 and 3, of the
Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at
Universities.
4.5 Written agreements involving third parties (Section 43 agreement)
Students who, in connection with internships, theses or other written assignments, involve a third
party – e.g. a company or organisation – which makes information or data available, must enter into
a third-party agreement that regulates the relationship between the student, the third party and the
University.
4.6 Plagiarism and exam cheating
Cases of exam cheating and plagiarism are dealt with severely and according to the 'Disciplinary
measures towards students at the University of Copenhagen'.
Exam cheating includes forgery, plagiarism, nondisclosure (e.g. failing to reveal sources) or any
other deception on the part of the student. Aiding fellow students in exam cheating is also a form of
cheating and will be disciplined accordingly.
Attempts at exam cheating are dealt with in the same way as actual exam cheating.
Cases of exam cheating will be investigated by the Head of Studies. The Head of Studies is obliged
to report cases of cheating and plagiarism to the Dean. If the Dean finds that a student has been
cheating, the Dean will submit the case to the Rector. The Rector has the authority to dismiss
charges of exam cheating, issue a warning to the student, exclude the student from the examination,
suspend the student from the University for a specified period or expel the student from the
University.
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4.7 Examination appeals
Students wishing to appeal examination results or other forms of assessment must submit their case
to the Faculty of Social Sciences. The appeal must be in writing and be substantiated in accordance
with the guidelines stipulated in Section 32(1) of the Examination Order.
An appeal must be submitted within two weeks of the assessment being announced, see Section
32(2) of the Examination Order. The deadline for appeals in respect of ordinary summer exams
(examinations held after 1 June) is 1 August.
In accordance with the Examination Order, students may submit appeals on the grounds of:
1. Legal issues
2. The examination basis (questions, assignments, etc.)
3. The examination process
4. The assessment.
If the appeal is rejected, students may appeal the assessors' decision to the Board of Appeals, see
Section 36 of the Examination Order. In this case, the student must submit the appeal to the Faculty
of Social Sciences. Appeals must be submitted in writing, and the reasons for the appeal must be
specified. Appeals must be submitted within two weeks of the student being informed of the
decision made by the assessors, see Section 36 of the Examination Order.
When appealing examination results and submitting appeals to the Board of Appeals, the re-
assessment of the examination may result in a higher or lower grade. Students cannot appeal the
new assessment.
5. MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS
5.1 Enrolment
Following enrolment, the student is registered for the relevant programme level on the MSc
programme, see Section 14 of the Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment on Master's
(Candidatus) Programmes at Universities.
Students cannot be enrolled in more than one full-time study programme at a time, see Section
15(1) of the Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus) Programmes
at Universities.
5.2 Disenrolment
Enrolment is terminated in accordance with Section 17 of the Ministerial Order on Admission and
Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities:
- when students have completed the study programme
- when students have failed to comply with the department's academic progress requirements, or
any progress requirements centrally determined by the University of Copenhagen
- when students have exhausted their allotted examination attempts, see Section 13(2) of the
Examination Order
- when students disenrol from the study programme
- when students are permanently expelled from the University, see Section 14(9) of the Danish
(Consolidation) Act on Universities (the University Act) (Universitetsloven)).
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Renewed enrolment
Students whose enrolment at the University has been terminated due to the fact that they have
exhausted their allotted examination attempts or have failed to comply with the department's
academic progress requirements, can apply for re-enrolment. In accordance with Section 18(2) of
the Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at
Universities, permission for renewed enrolment is only granted if the University, based on a
concrete academic assessment, finds that the student's chances of completing the programme have
significantly improved.
Students who have terminated their enrolment themselves may re-enrol under certain conditions,
see Section 16 of the Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus)
Programmes at Universities.
Students who are re-enrolled/enrolled in a new study programme cannot retake already passed
examinations unless the examinations are obsolete as a result of the rules for the programme, see
Section 18(4) of the Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus)
Programmes at Universities. The Board of Studies evaluates if the student's courses are obsolete.
5.3 Leave of absence
Students are entitled to take a leave of absence from the study programme in accordance with rules
set out by the University and in Section 21(1) of the Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment
on Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities.
Students are allowed to take a leave of absence of up to 12 months during their MSc studies.
Students are not entitled to a leave of absence before they have completed and passed examinations
corresponding to 30 ECTS on the MSc programme, see Section 22(1) of the Ministerial Order on
Admission and Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities.
The Faculty of Social Sciences may grant exemptions from rules governing leaves of absence under
special circumstances, see Section 22(4) of the Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment on
Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities. Leave of absence due to extraordinary
circumstances does not exclude the student from applying for a standard leave of absence of a
duration of up to 12 months.
During the leave of absence, students may not follow courses on the relevant study programme. The
students may not participate in examinations under the programme in the semester or similar in
which they are or have been on leave, see Section 40(2).
A requested leave of absence must, however, be announced when due to maternity leave, adoption
or a call-up for military service, see Section 21(2). When applying for parental leave, students may
choose to apply for a leave of absence, or they may choose to take parental leave without taking a
leave from their studies in order to maintain the right to state education grants (SU). Instead, the
student may also choose to inform the study administration of the parental leave. Both forms of
parental leave exempt the student from academic progress requirements. Parental leave must always
be documented.
Students who, through a contract with the armed forces, make themselves available for UN service
(and who, for example, are deployed through NATO) etc. are subject to the rules set out in the
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Danish Act amending the Act on the Personnel of the Danish Defence, the Act on the Danish Home
Guard, the Act on the Danish State Education Grant and Loan Scheme and the Act on Leave of
Absence during Military Service etc. (Lov om ændring af lov om forsvarets personel, lov om
hjemmeværnet, lov om statens uddannelsesstøtte og lov om værnepligtsorlov m.v.), see Section
21(3).
When a student has entered into a thesis contract, the student can only be granted a leave of absence
from the programme under special circumstances.
5.4 Changing study programme and transfers
Change of study programme, transfer and re-enrolment may take place in accordance with the rules
set out in Section 16 and Section 18(2) of the Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment on
Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities.
The student is enrolled under the curriculum applicable at any time.
5.5 Credit
Courses passed on the same level in Denmark or abroad can replace elements of this study
programme. In each individual case, the Board of Studies assesses which programme elements from
Danish and overseas programmes can replace courses in the curriculum. This decision is based on
an academic evaluation of the course in question by the Board of Studies, see Section 28(3) of the
University Programme Order.
A maximum of credits corresponding to 30 ECTS may be transferred to the MSc in Global
Development programme from another study programme or university.
Credits cannot be transferred for the MSc thesis unless the thesis was written under a programme
with the same objectives as the MSc in Global Development programme, see Section 28(2) of the
University Programme Order. In each individual case, the Board of Studies will conduct an
academic evaluation to determine whether the thesis corresponds to a thesis from the MSc in Global
Development programme.
Decisions regarding refused credit transfers can be appealed to the Credit Appeals Board, see
Ministerial Order no. 102 of 20 February 2008 on Appeals Boards for Decisions on Credit Transfer
in University Education (the Credit Appeals Board Order) (Meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen)).
Students may lodge appeals with the Credit Appeals Board against the Board of Studies' decisions
on:
- Refusal of pre-approval of credit transfer for programme elements from other Danish study
programmes
- Refusal of pre-approval of credit transfer for foreign programme elements
- Refusal of final credit transfer for programme elements from other Danish study programmes
The Board of Studies' academic assessment may be brought before the Credit Appeals Board.
Students who want to appeal legal issues in the Board of Studies' decision may lodge their appeal
with the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The deadline for appeals is two weeks from the
complainant having been notified of the Board of Studies' decision. Appeals, if any, must be made
in writing with statement of grounds.
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More information on the rules on credit appeals boards can be found in the Credit Appeals Board
Order.
However, appeals about refusals of final credit transfer for programme elements taken abroad are
not considered by the Credit Appeals Board, but are directed to the Qualifications Board, see
Section 5a(2) of Danish Consolidation Act no. 371 of 13 April 2007 on Assessment of Foreign
Qualifications etc. (Lovbekendtgørelse om vurdering af udenlandske uddannelseskvalifikationer
m.v.). The deadline for appeals is four weeks from the complainant having been notified of the
decision. Any appeals must be directed to the Qualifications Board and sent to the Faculty of Social
Sciences.
When assessing a student's progress in relation to their compliance with the academic progress
requirement, merited courses are attributed to the semester in which the course was completed.
Students must apply for final approval of merited courses no later than three months after
completion of the study abroad period or three months after sitting the examination at another
Danish university.
5.5.1 Preapproval and final approval of credit
A pre-approved course at another Danish or foreign university counts as a registration. The
registration is binding and thus must be part of your UCPH studies.
As of 1 September 2015 all students are required to register for courses/exams totalling 30 ECTs
each semester. A pre-approval of a study visit or one or several courses count as a course
registration for the semester in question.
If a student does not get a place in the pre-approved course or, for other reasons, does not use the
pre-approval, the student must notify the UCPH of this so that the student can enrol in other courses
instead.
When students receive a pre-approval of a study visit or a course/courses to be attended at a Danish
or foreign university, they are obliged to document their exam results in these courses to UCPH.
This goes for both passed and failed exams. The documentation is to be submitted as soon as
possible, and no later than 3 months after finishing the study visit.
5.6 Exemption
Under special circumstances, the Board of Studies may grant exemptions from the rules in this
curriculum which are set out by the University alone. Applications for exemptions must be
submitted to the Board of Studies.
5.7 Appeals procedure
Decisions on students' legal issues and applications made by the Board of Studies or the study
administration may be appealed to the Dean. The Dean's decisions on legal issues may be appealed
to the Rector. Internal appeals procedures must be exhausted before appeals can be submitted to the
Danish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education.
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Legal issues relating to the University's decisions on student matters may be brought before the
Minister in accordance with rules laid down by the Minister, see Section 34 of the University Act.
Rules are set out in Section 31 of the University Programme Order, Section 26 of the Ministerial
Order on Admission and Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities and
Section 46 of the Examination Order.
5.8 MSc certificate
The Faculty of Social Sciences issues certificates for completed MSc programmes, see Section 29
of the Examination Order. The certificate indicates the results of the assessments in the individual
examinations, including the MSc thesis and examinations for which credits have been transferred,
the number of ECTS to which the examinations correspond, the average grade, the title the
programme confers and a competence profile.
In addition to the examination transcript, the University also issues a Diploma Supplement, which
describes the academic focus, content, level and objectives of the programme. It also provides
information about the University and about the position of the University and the programme within
the Danish education system.
The certificate and the Diploma Supplement are written in English.
Students who leave the programme without completing it may request that the University issue
documentation of the elements of the programme that have been successfully completed and the
number of ECTS achieved.
If the Board of Studies approves the transfer of credits for a course completed at a Danish or foreign
institution of higher education, the assessment is credited as 'Pass'/'Approved'. If the course in
question has been assessed according to the 7-point grading scale at both institutions, the credit is
transferred with the grade. The institutions involved can agree otherwise, see Section 30 of the
Examination Order.
5.9 Digital communication between the University and students
The University may decide that communication between the University and students must be fully
or partially digital. Read more in Ministerial Order no. 1093 of 26 November 2012 on Digital
Communication for Universities (Bekendtgørelse om digital kommunikation for universiteterne).
Established rules regarding digital communication will be communicated to students.
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6. Course catalogue
6.1. Global Development: Theories, Facts and Current Issues (7.5 ECTS)
Course description
Our understanding of globalization and development are constantly evolving. Development theories
and policies are adjusted, augmented and replaced as we gain new insights from observing the
World. However, there is often more than one interpretation of observed facts. Therefore, it is
important to have knowledge of both the facts and the diverse interpretations of these facts within
and across the social science disciplines.
Global Development: Theories, Facts and Current Issues integrates the concepts and perspectives
of the social science disciplines to consider the major trends in modern development. Specifically,
the course starts by presenting the classical debates about development and globalization within the
social sciences in the post-war period. Subsequently the course takes up current issues for which
there is significant disparity in contemporary thinking. The classical debates and contemporary
issues are presented and analyzed as they are understood and interpreted by anthropologists,
political scientists and economists to further discussions and a deeper understanding of development
and globalization theories and thinking across the social sciences.
Course outline
1. Classical Debates
o Modernization theory
o Dependency and World Systems Theory
o Structural Adjustment
o Washington Consensus
o People-centered development: Participation, capacity-building and partnership
o Human rights and capabilities approach
o Gender Mainstreaming
o Security and Development
o Globalization
2. Contemporary Issues
o Health
o Education
o Environment
o Natural resources
o Climate Change
o Conflict and War
o State, civil society and democratization
Teaching Methods
The format of the course is a combination of lectures and group discussions. Each course session
will be initiated by a lecture in which core concepts, facts and theories are presented. Subsequently,
there will be a session with student presentations and discussions in which the students develop
cases to apply and understand the concepts, facts and theories. In addition to the lectures and
presentations the students will run a blog in which groups of students write reviews of classical
development texts each week. The classical texts will not be part of the core syllabus, but writing at
least one blog is a requirement for attending the exam.
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Exam
Written examination, 12 hours take home exam, Internal evaluation. 7-point grading scale.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge
Describe the leading development and globalization theories and dominant development
thinking and relate this to developments in the social science disciplines.
Show overview of scientific facts and controversies of the selected current development issues
based on contemporary research.
Understand the importance of measurement and measurement problems in social science
development research.
Skills
Select relevant theories and methods for analyses of the current development issues covered in
the course.
Select relevant theories and methods for analyzing development issues that are similar to the
current issues covered in the course.
Communicate and discuss evidence-based knowledge and theories about current development
issues on different levels to researchers, policy makers, media, organizations, and laypersons.
Competences
Process relevant information for analysis of current and future global development issues.
Evaluate, validate and disseminate evidence-based knowledge and theories about current
development issues.
Work effectively with cross-disciplinary problems within global development on an individual
basis as well as in teams.
6.2 Advanced Research Methods in the Social Sciences (7.5 ECTS)
Course description
The course will introduce students to relevant topics within the three major types of social science
related research methods: qualitative methods, quantitative methods and GIS.
All students will be given a general introduction to research methods, interdisciplinary collaboration
and research planning. Subsequently, each method will be presented in three separate sub-modules.
It is anticipated that students may already have knowledge in one or more of the three methods.
Therefore, the course will focus on specific methods that are of relevance for cross-disciplinary
analysis and research.
Advanced Research Methods in the Social Sciences will provide the students with an overview of
the most important research methods in the social sciences and give the students a critical overview
of the recent literature and important social science methodology debates. It will give an
understanding of methodological issues that arises when conducting research within different social
sciences. The emphasis will be on analyzing how different social science approaches establish and
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identify causal relationships. Therefore, an important aim is to gain insight into what makes a good
empirical study within the social sciences and highlight where methods may be combined and
complement each other (mixed methods approaches). The students will learn partly by replicating
empirical results using relevant software. This will prepare the students for original independent
empirical research and help them to identify possible thesis topics.
Course outline
1. Qualitative methods
o Introduction to qualitative methods, holism, ethics, in-depth knowledge, gatekeepers
o Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)/ Participatory Learning and Action (PLA)
(participatory mapping, ranking, time charts, diagrams)
o Ethnographic interviews (unstructured and semi-structured), choosing informants, working
with interpreters
o Analysis of qualitative data, positioning, reflexivity
2. Quantitative methods
o Introduction to quantitative methods with a focus on impact evaluation.
o Statistics, sampling and design issues and introduction to software and examples.
o Quantitative impact evaluation: Designs, Assumptions, Methods and Estimators
o Quantitative impact evaluation in practice
o Selected review of quantitative impact evaluation results
o Statistical analysis of natural experiments
3. GIS methods
o Theory: building a digital representation of real-world objects (constructing digital
ontology)
o Data: introduction to global socio-economic datasets
o Mapping of socio-economic data
o Construction of geodata. Sampling schemes. Points, lines, areas.
o Case: REDD. What kind of geodata would you need for proper REED evaluation?
o Mapping global disparities in socio-economic parameters. Mapping of hot spots and spatial
clusters.
Exam
Written synopsis. Internal evaluation. Passed/Failed.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge
Show overview of important social science methodology debates.
Describe central concepts in qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analysis and GIS
methods.
Understand what makes a good empirical study within the different social sciences.
Critically examine and evaluate the choice of research method in scientific and scholarly work.
Skills
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Select relevant methods for data gathering and analysis.
Critically examine and evaluate the choice of research method in scientific and scholarly work.
Competences
Perform Participatory Rural Appraisal, Participatory Learning and Action and ethnographic
interviews and analyze qualitative data
Perform various statistical analyses, in particular quantitative impact evaluation, using
appropriate statistical software.
Construct and analyze geo-data using appropriate GIS software.
6.3 Global Business and Economics (7.5 ECTS)
Course description
Global Business and Economics will introduce students to four themes: (1) International trade, (2)
Foreign direct investment (FDI), (3) Transnational companies and global value chains, and (4)
International finance. Each topic will be presented in four separate sub-modules. The course will
focus on the increasing global interconnectedness in terms of business, finance and trade with an
emphasis on the role of social relationships and networks. Students will be provided with a critical
overview of the recent literature within this cross-disciplinary field. Furthermore, emphasis will be
put on analyzing how different approaches establish different types of causal relations within each
of the four modules. An important aim is to gain insight into how the different social science
disciplines may be combined and complement each other in order to enhance our understanding of
the issues. The course will also provide the students with a “hands-on” experience, as they will have
to replicate empirical results using relevant software. This will enhance the student’s skills and
competencies and prepare them for conducting their own original independent empirical research
and it will help them to identify possible thesis topics.
Course Outline
1. Trade
o The dimensions of International trade
o Trade in services, trade in tasks and firm heterogeneity
o Trade policy and governance
2. Foreign Direct Investment
o The dimensions of FDI, greenfield versus merges and acquisitions
o Impact of FDI and FDI spill-over effects
o FDI policies
3. Global Value Chains
o From Supply Chain to Value Chain
o The supermarket revolution
o Global trade relations and inclusion/exclusion of farmers in developing regions
o The role of social relationships in global value chains
4. International finance
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o The dimensions of international banking and finance
o Private flows
o Public flows
o Banking and currency crises
o The role of institutions and social networks
Teaching methods
The course will be based on a combination of lectures (2 hours per week) and interactive seminars
(2 hours per week) where students contribute actively through lab work, group discussions and
presentations. The course will draw on relevant academic literature, including theoretical
perspectives, statistical analyses and case studies and the students will work independently and in
groups with both quantitative and qualitative datasets.
Exam
Three hour written exam. All aids allowed. Internal evaluation. 7-point grading scale.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge
Describe the main methodologies, concepts and issues relevant for international trade, FDI,
global value chains and international finance.
Show overview of scientific facts and disagreements within international trade, FDI, global
value chains and international finance.
Understand the human and social dimensions of global business and trade.
Skills
Select relevant theories and methods for analyses of international trade, FDI, global value
chains and international finance.
Be able to evaluate empirical results about international trade, FDI, global value chains and
international finance, as well as demonstrate a thorough understanding of the problems faced
when carrying out empirical work related to the issues.
Communicate and discuss theories and empirical results related to international trade, FDI,
global value chains and international finance with researchers, policy makers, media,
organizations, and lay-persons.
Competences
Process relevant information for analysis of about international trade, FDI, global value chains
and international finance.
Be able to carry out empirical analyses and present empirical results about international trade,
FDI, global value chains and international finance in a precise and consistent manner.
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6.4 Transnational Actors, Networks, and Place Making (7.5 ECTS)
Course description
It is almost impossible today to imagine development at the scale of the nation-state: global flows of
people, information, ideas, investments and remittances are now key determinants shaping
development at the local level. Development actors are no longer just national governments.
Instead, all kinds of transnational actors—from companies to diaspora groups and NGOs—play a
prominent role in shaping development agendas, as do the new mobile technologies and social
media that facilitate such transnational activity. The “Global North” (North America, Western
Europe, Australia and Japan) is no longer taken for granted as a source of inspiration and funding of
models of development: around the BRICS initiative, new discourses of development travel
between countries in the Global South (Africa, Latin America and Asia), accompanied by new
resource flows, for instance from China and India to Africa. But not just the world order is affected
by global flows: also the established pattern of development between urban centers and rural areas
is being restructured through such flows resulting in livelihood transitions and new and intensified
forms of mobility. In the context of neoliberal governance and increasing securitization, illegal
flows moreover start to have a significant impact on development trajectories.
Transnational Actors, Networks and Place Making equips students with the skills to examine
development beyond the nation-state, to understand how global flows affect the seeming coherence
of previous models of development. It introduces students to global flows that shape development
agendas and outcomes locally, with an emphasis on studying not just material but also immaterial
flows of ideas, discourses, and new forms of connectivity.
Course Outline
1. The migration development nexus
o Global migration patterns, transnational actors and connections
o The role of economic, social and political remittances in the Global South'
2. Legal vs. illegal population flows
o Human and organ trafficking
o Governing population flows
3. Urbanization in the Global South – The new global frontier
o Current patterns of urbanization and counter-urbanization – the role of migration
o Where does the urban population live? – the role of small- and intermediate urban
centers
4. Making a living in the Global South
o Mobility and livelihood transitions in the Global South
o Rural-urban connections in the Global South
5. Connecting the world
o The mobile phone revolution
o Social media and popular uprising in the Global South
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6. BRICS – New and intensified global flows
o Theory from the south: A “Southern” model of development?
o South-south flows: A shift in global hegemony?
7. Shaping the development agenda – new vs. old actors
o From “aid” to “trade”: Development cooperation post-Human Rights?
o Competing for development aid – The poor, the marginalized and the indigenous
Teaching methods
The course will be based on interactive seminars where students contribute actively through group
works, discussions, readings and oral and written presentations. Each course theme will be framed
by an introductory lecture. The course will draw on relevant academic literature, including
theoretical perspectives and case studies from across the Global South, as well as both quantitative
and qualitative datasets.
Exam
Oral examination, 20 min under invigilation.
A week before the exam the students are given a set of questions. At the actual exam the student
will pick one of the questions (not knowing which) and will then have 5 minutes to present his/her
answer. After the presentation the student is examined based on his/her presentation and the
syllabus for the course. Internal examination. 7-point grading scale.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge
Describe current debates about global flows of people, capital and ideas and how these are
influenced by transnational networks and actors.
Grasp how the established pattern of development between urban centers and rural areas is
being restructured resulting in livelihood transitions and new and intensified forms of mobility.
Understand and recognize the importance of changing scales and geographies of development.
Skills
Identify key global flows of people, capital and ideas in the Global South.
Be able to analyze how global flows shape development agendas and outcomes in given local
environments.
Communicate and discuss how global flows and transnational networks and actors challenge the
seeming coherence of previous models of development.
Assess the potential impact of global, national and local policies on global flows of people,
capital and ideas in the Global South.
Competences
Process relevant information about global flows and their impact on outcomes in a given local
environment.
Analyze, assess and apply results, methods, theory and data in connection with global flows of
people, capital and ideas in the Global South.
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Work effectively with cross-disciplinary problems related transnational actors and the new
technologies of connectivity on an individual basis as well as in teams.
6.5 Global Politics (7.5 ECTS)
Course description
Rules, laws and institutions do not simply drop from the sky. Social order is produced and
reproduced in political dynamics where efforts to consolidate and strengthen rights and authorities
are being challenged by bearers of conflicting interests. Rules, laws and institutions connect local
and global sites of politics in asymmetrical relations, and make up political landscapes of regulation
and resistance, of recognition and accountability, and of negotiation and conflict.
Global Politics focuses on the production as well as the reception and effect of global political
connections and disconnections. The agendas of powerful political players – nation states, business
consortia and organisations – are often mediated through international organisations, conventions
and codified practices. This shapes institutional architecture and ideology. However, the reception
and effects are virtually always localised and mediated through already existing institutions and
actively pursued local agendas. Globalisation does therefore not produce uniform political and
institutional outcomes but rather a tremendous variation of ideology, political movement,
institutions and law.
The course will provide students with the tools to analyse and understand institutional dynamics.
Especially, they will be able to analyse dilemmas, tensions, and conflicts in legal and organisational
infrastructures in developing societies and emerging economies. The course will focus on what
constitutes ‘data’ when analysing politics, law, and institutional change. The ability to combine data
on policy, law, rules, practice, discourse, protest and conflict that cuts through levels from global to
local is essential. This prepares students for the field course as well as for engaging with amorphous
forms of data in their careers.
Course outline
Colonialism, the ’export’ of legal systems, and institutions of legal pluralism.
State formation and the colonial legacy.
The Bretton Woods and ’post-cold-war’ institutions.
International conventions (trade, climate, human rights etc).
National regulations’ international consequences.
Intersection of international politics and national reforms (e.g. property reforms).
Interaction between different areas of international politics (trade, aid, climate, security,
immigration).
State and social movements.
The ethnography of the state – national and local.
‘Rule of Law’ and ‘Sovereignty’ as competing principles of politics.
Global change in an International Relations perspective.
Teaching methods
The format of the course is a combination of lectures and group discussion and it requires a high
level of student participation.
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Exam
24 hour take-home exam. Internal evaluation. 7-point grading scale.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge
Describe and define central concepts in global politics.
Show overview of the interconnections between different levels of political fields (global
though to local).
Show overview over state and non-state governance systems.
Skills
Select relevant methods for institutional analysis.
Identify central actors, institutions, processes and norms involved in the social production of
political fields.
Competencies
Collect and process relevant information for analysis of political dilemmas.
Critically reflect on central characteristics of formal and informal forms of politics.
Understand and critically reflect on the multidimensional character of politics in different fields
(such as resource conflicts).
Analytically connect resource conflicts to conflicts over governance and state formation.
6.6 Economic Growth and Inequality (7.5 ECTS)
Course description
Economic Growth and Inequality gives the students thorough knowledge about the relations
between growth, inequality and globalization, with a focus on implications for low- and middle
income countries. Among the topics for study are the current theories of economic growth; the
world distribution of income, across and within countries as well as across regions; broader
concepts of inequality (opportunity, mobility, capabilities, horizontal inequality); the implications
of globalization for inequality and the interplay between inequality, growth and political
institutions. In addition to concepts and theories, the student will gain a basic understanding of
quantitative analysis of the causes and consequences of growth and inequality.
The basic concepts of globalization including trade, capital markets and migration has been learnt
during earlier courses. Therefore, the issues and discussions in this course will focus on the links
between growth and inequality and the more salient issues. The key question this course addresses
is: What are the effects of globalization of economic markets on economic growth and inequality
around the world, and how do those effects vary within and across countries depending on
countries’ different characteristics and policies, and on overall global conditions?
Course outline
1. Modern theories of economic growth
o The growth map: Growth patterns across the world
o Proximate causes: Factor accumulation
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o Root causes: Climate and geography, resource endowments and/or Institutions
o Territorial dynamics: Regional growth poles and clusters
2. Inequality
o Concepts and measurements
o Economic Inequality and growth: Theory and evidence
o Regional inequality
o Inequality between countries
o Inequality within countries (social, ethnic, gender, age)
3. Salient issues of globalization, growth and inequality
o Green (and sustainable) growth
o Social justice and egalitarian (inclusive) growth
o Natural resource wealth, growth and inequality: is there a resource curse?
o Consequences of the Great Recession: new patterns of growth and inequality
Teaching methods
The format of the course is a combination of lectures and group discussions. Each course session
will be initiated by a two-lecture session in which core concepts, facts and theories are presented.
Subsequently, there will be a session with student presentations and discussions in which the
students develop cases to apply and understand the concepts, facts and theories.
Exam
Portfolio exam consisting of a selection by the student of 2 data-set portfolio exercises and 2 critical
essay portfolio exercises. Internal evaluation. 7-point grading scale.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge
Describe the leading contemporary theories of economic growth.
Understand the multidimensionality of inequality and the importance of measurement and
measurement problems for policy and policy advice
Show overview of scientific facts and controversies in the debates about globalization, growth
and inequality based on contemporary research.
Skills
Select relevant theories and methods for analyses of economic growth.
Select relevant theories and methods for analyses of particular dimensions of inequality.
Communicate and discuss evidence-based knowledge about salient issues of globalization,
growth and inequality to researchers, policy makers, media, organizations, and lay-persons.
Competences
Process relevant information for analysis of growth and inequality.
Evaluate, validate and disseminate knowledge and theories about growth and inequality.
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6.7 Field Methods and Fieldwork (15 ECTS)
Course description
This course builds on the previous courses, especially ‘Advanced Research Methods in the Social
Sciences’, and takes the ‘methods’ into actual ‘techniques’ in the field.
Data are conceived, identified, gathered, structured, and analysed in complex and messy situations,
and the objective of this module is to provide students with some practical experience and
techniques to navigate and collect data in real world situations. In order to get as close as possible to
a realistic experience of real world data collection, the module is explicitly interdisciplinary and
problem based. The course will present a theme, the theme(s) of the year is decided by the study
director, within which teams of students can select to work on more specific problems. The course
will train students in field-based investigation of concrete problems. It will ensure that students are
exposed to a variety of data collection techniques and become aware of their respective scope and
limitations.
The centrepiece of the module is a 3-week field course inserted between 2 weeks of preparation and
a final 3-week reporting and course evaluation. The preparation phase will focus on three
dimensions, research techniques, research practice, and preparation of a synopsis by each team. The
beginning will be course-intensive, and gradually move to more team-intensive work over the 2
weeks.
The locations of the field courses will represent the breadth of the scope of the education. There will
therefore be field courses in African and Asian contexts and in global hubs for policymaking. Field
courses will be carried out in collaboration with partner universities in the different locations. A
tentative list of locations and partner universities is:
Ghana, University of Ghana Legon
China, UCAS/Sino Danish Centre and Fudan University
India, Nordic Centre India
Belgium (Bruxelles), Université Libre de Bruxelles
USA (Washington), Georgetown University
Course outline
1. Preparation
o Research Practice
o Searching for relevant literature on context and issue.
o Field etiquette and ethics
o Guidelines for what is a good synopsis and what will be assessed in the exam.
o Writing research protocol and log books
o Writing a synopsis
2. Field course
o Launching, getting acquainted with partner students, discussion of research plans,
additional information, and logistics (3 days)
o Data collection (12 days)
o Analysis, discussion, presentation, and possibly drafting outline of report (4-5 days)
3. Reporting and evaluation
o Lecture on scientific writing
o Writing a report
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Teaching methods
The learning depends on active participation by students, and a significant part of the module
activities is organized in teams. Each team will produce a report on their research topic. Special
attention will be given to methods and data collection techniques, to discussions about
representation, validity, and utility of the data, and to the potentials and pitfalls in combing them.
Evaluation an integral element of all the course phases. In tune with the effort to simulate reality,
faculty as well as students must be prepared to be flexible, pragmatic, able to incorporate new
information along the way, and able to adjust behaviour, procedures and interaction as a result of
feed-back. These are work skills that will ensure the highest quality output in real world situations.
Exam
25 min individual oral exam based on a final field research report and the course curriculum. The
mark will be based only on the oral examination, but submission of the field report is a prerequisite
for the exam. . External examination. 7-point grading scale.
Learning Outcome
After completing the course, the students should be able to:
Knowledge
Describe and define central concepts and terms within social science primary data collection.
Show overview of field methods for data collection.
Skills
Select relevant methods and design of research plan for field study
Collect and process relevant information in the field
Make judgment of the usefulness of methods and the reliability of collected data as well as the
significance of obtained results.
Competences
Discuss and compare data obtained by various methods in interdisciplinary fieldwork.
Make judgment of own interpretation on complex topics.
