Seminar: Language ResearchLaajuus (10 cr)

Objective

Learning outcomes: A successful student will be able to - Define and limit a research problem and choose/collect empirical material that can be used to solve the problem. - Formulate a relevant hypothesis or a research question and carry out an empirical study. - Have good command of a particular theoretical approach in English language research. - Make relevant methodological decisions and to manage the selected methodology well. - Have solid command of academic communication skills and conventions, written and spoken, in English. The course develops the following work life skills: - meaning making, creativity, coping with workload, social intelligence, management of large entities, information sources and source critique, information search, language skills, presentation skills, time management and prioritization, basic office software, self-management, special knowledge of a country/cultural area

Content

This course develops students’ independent research skills, systematic project management competences, and academic communication skills. The students will formulate a research problem in English language research and develop an empirical research to solve/answer it. - Each student will present two written seminar papers (one each term) and participate actively and regularly in the seminar. - During periods 1–2, the students will present a spoken and written research plan, which includes the research topic, its aims, and the theoretical approaches applied in the study. In addition, the students may detail their empirical data and/or primary methods. (The length of the written report is circa 3,000 words/ from 1/8/2022 onward 2500 words). - In the last two periods (3–4), the methodological prerequisites will be dealt with in depth and the empirical analysis begins. This results in a research report (circa 6,000 words/ from 1/8/2022 onward 6000-7000 words). - The two written works should form a part (e.g. a chapter or a section) of the forthcoming MA thesis. The working language of the seminar is English.

Qualifications

2130421/2130423 Bachelor’s Seminar: English Linguistics 3 cp, 2110031 BA Maturity Examination 0 cp, 2130415 BA Thesis: Linguistics 6 cp or similar studies

Further information

Teachers: Professor Mikko Laitinen Time: 4th year of study, autumn and spring terms Campus: Joensuu Further information: The section in research methodology (Methodology: Language Research 5 cp) is to be taken in tandem with this course at the latest. Language of tuition: English. Generic competences: digitalization, ethics, leadership and development, internationality, sustainability and responsibility, critical thinking, identification and development of expertise, interaction and communication

Execution methods

Seminar.

Accomplishment methods

Modes of study: Active participation (80%) in exercises (42 hours) and independent work (228 hours). Evaluation criteria: Written seminar papers; active participation.