Learning outcomes

The student develops the skills needed to carry out independent scholarly research.

Goals

Building on previous achievements in the programme, the student improves his or her skills with respect to the following:

  • selecting a research domain and defining research objectives
  • carrying out relevant bibliographical research
  • reading and summarizing the relevant research literature
  • defining relevant methodologies and research strategies
  • defining, collecting, analysing and interpreting the corpus
  • using a correct strategy for compiling and using scholarly references
  • scholarly writing in English

Content

With the help of the supervisor the student selects a research topic to be developed in a personal and original manner.

The student puts forward a schedule for the research and writing process.

The length of the paper will range between 7000 and 10000 words (appendices, if any, not included).

 

Exercices

None.

Teaching methods

The bachelor paper is fully integrated within the programme of Langues et littératures germaniques both academically and in terms of language proficiency. It puts into practice the same personalized pedagogical approach.

The student has previously been initiated to bibliographical research by a training course specially designed by the Moretus Plantin University Library staff and whose reference material remains available throughout. Moreover, he/she is supervised by the promoter in addition to being able to benefit from the central library's "book a librarian" service.

As regards methodology and academic writing skills, the student is prepared through the various modules of the second year, including LANG B005 Literary Theory and his/her courses on literary text analysis.

During the academic year, the student is individually coached by the supervisor. Tutorials in small groups may be organised inasmuch as different students work on the same type of topic. Feedback is offered at various stages of the research and writing process.  

Assessment method

The bachelor paper is evaluated according to the objectives as defined above. The result is based on the paper (pre-definitive version, final version), following an assessment grid that is made available to students in advance (see Reference document on WebCampus).

The expected level of written competence in the target language is C1 (according to the CEFR: https://rm.coe.int/16802fc3a8), applied to an academic register.

Sources, references and any support material

Specific list, depending on the topic chosen.

Language of instruction

English