The research project acquaints students with the challenges, methods and procedures of in-depth research into a particular topic that relates to one of their tracks and/or fields of study at UCU.
After this project, students are able to write a research paper in their particular field of the Humanities disciplines. They can formulate a research question based on literature study, define their research material and apply a suitable method to investigate the proposed topic, perform a critical analysis, and write a coherent paper to present and evaluate their findings.
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The Humanities Research Project stimulates students to further develop research in the Humanities. It is also an opportunity for students to demonstrate their research abilities. Students assume the responsibility for arranging and carrying out an individual piece of research supervised by an instructor at UCU, the UU, or an external institution, within the agreed time frame.
Since the research project is intended as a final piece of work, students should not start such a project before completing their second year.
The research project is indispensable for students planning to proceed to Masters or PhD.-programs in the Humanities after graduation: it demonstrates their aptitude for further academic study.
Format
Students planning their research project should first discuss the timing with their tutor, taking note of the deadline for the proposal (see intranet). This is especially important for students going on exchange: they should initiate the process before leaving. The The preferred moments for scheduling the research course are either in the second semester of the third year, or in the break between semesters in the third year at UCU. The course can also be taken during the semester and is then spread over 16 weeks.
The preparatory stage of the research project involves the following:
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the student writes a research proposal that identifies the subject of research; this proposal must situate the research in a specific Humanities field/ track;
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the student finds a supervisor; the Head of Department, Fellows, Track Coordinators, Lecturers and Tutors may be able to offer useful advice; but it is the student’s own responsibility to secure a supervisor.
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the student develops a research plan that includes defining the subject for research as agreed with the supervisor; referencing a preliminary bibliography (primary and secondary sources) to be used and expanded on in the literature study; and indicating the methodological approach that will be used.
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the student makes a detailed time frame demonstrating how the work will be accomplished within the time available, including meetings with the supervisor and the deadline for handing in the work.
Completion of the research project means that the student must hand in the following:
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during the first week of the research project: approved research proposal and plan (research question, bibliography, methodology, time frame)
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record of the research project (progress report of the project)
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research paper (average length: between 6000 and 10.000 words)
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