Important notice
The course guide is provisional.
The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.
Master's Degree Dissertation
Code: 43976Credits: 9
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Chinese to Spanish Speakers | TFE | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Helena Casas Tost
- Email :
- helena.casas@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Lingzhi Nie
- Denise Holguín Vaca
- Melinda Dooly Owenby
- Emilee Moore De Luca
- Andy Morodo Horrillo
- Antonio Paoliello Palermo
- Xianghong Qu Lu
- Sara Rovira Esteva
- Maria Carmen Espín García
- Claudia Vallejo Rubinstein
- Júlia Llompart Esbert
- Mireia Vargas Urpi
- Celia Pratginestós Pou
- Maria Dolors Masats Viladoms
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
None
Objectives
The aim of this module is to elaborate and defend an MA dissertation (trabajo de fin de máster, TFM), which will integrate the knowledge acquired in the previous modules. In general terms, it is an MA dissertation that should address a topic related to teaching Chinese as a foreign language. In the MA dissertation, students must demonstrate that they:
- Have acquired the knowledge in which they have been trained in the Master’s degree course.
- Have critical and analytical skills.
- Have systematic knowledge of the basic fields of study and a mastery of the skills and associated work methods.
- Are able to use specific resources appropriately to support study, work and research in professional and academic contexts.
- Are able to present and defend the results obtained.
Learning outcomes
- CA13 (Integrate theoretical knowledge when addressing and solving a specific problem about teaching a particular aspect of Chinese language or culture.) Integrate theoretical knowledge when addressing and solving a specific problem about teaching a particular aspect of Chinese language or culture.
- CA14 (Integrate action research as an element of improvement applicable to professional practice in the classroom, as well as in the design of curricula, in a framework that respects the ethical parameters and the gender perspective of research in the educational context.) Integrate action research as an element of improvement applicable to professional practice in the classroom, as well as in the design of curricula, in a framework that respects the ethical parameters and the gender perspective of research in the educational context.
- CA15 (Defend the results of a research project orally and in writing, taking into account when necessary the similarities and differences between Chinese and Spanish on a specific linguistic aspect for teaching purposes.) Defend the results of a research project orally and in writing, taking into account when necessary the similarities and differences between Chinese and Spanish on a specific linguistic aspect for teaching purposes.
- KA12 (Define the main theoretical responses for carrying out research projects.) Define the main theoretical responses for carrying out research projects.
- KA13 (Identify appropriate research methodologies for the subject of the research work.) Identify appropriate research methodologies for the subject of the research work.
- SA19 (Autonomously apply methodological tools, placing special emphasis on action research, to reflect on professional aspects in the Chinese as a foreign language classroom, and propose improvements, taking into account the ethical dimensions and the gender perspective in research.) Autonomously apply methodological tools, placing special emphasis on action research, to reflect on professional aspects in the Chinese as a foreign language classroom, and propose improvements, taking into account the ethical dimensions and the gender perspective in research.
- SA20 (Critically interpret the works and academic works of the teaching of the Chinese language and culture relevant to the subject of the research projects.) Critically interpret the works and academic works of the teaching of the Chinese language and culture relevant to the subject of the research projects.
Contents
This module has no particular content, as all students will carry out their MA dissertation individually on a topic they choose, under the supervision and guidance of their supervisor.
MA dissertations must be writtem in Spanish and include the following parts：
- Title page: title, author’s name, NIU and signature, supervisor’s name and signature, name of the MA programme, date, name and signature of the programme's coordinator
- Abstract and key words in Spanish and Chinese
- Index
- Introduction (aims, motivation and structure)
- Theoretical and methodological framework
- Main part of the dissertation (context, analysis, case study, etc.)
- Conclusions
- List of references (only references cited in the dissertation)
- Appendixes (if any)
MA dissertations must comply with the following formal aspects:
- Length: between 20.000 and 25.000 words approximately, excluding appendixes (50 pages)
- Line spacing: 1,5
- Font size: 12
- Font: Arial or Times New Roman for Spanish, Simsun/Songti for Chinese
- Footnotes: Times New Roman 10
- References: Please see Guía de estilo para el uso de palabras de origen chino and follow the guidelines suggested in M5.
If artificial intelligence has been used in any section of the Master's Thesis, it must be clearly stated and explained for what purposes it was used. Example of text:
\"I acknowledge that I have used artificial intelligence tools during the drafting process of this text. In particular, I have used *** and ***. These tools have been used exclusively with the aim of improving sentence structure and correcting grammatical and spelling errors.
The most frequent prompts given to *** have been expressions such as 'Review this paragraph' and 'Correct the grammatical errors'. For its part, *** has been used as additional support to detect and correct linguistic errors throughout the Master's Thesis.
After using these tools, I have personally reviewed and edited the content, and I take full responsibility for the final result. I confirm that the research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation are my own work. The use of AI tools has been strictly limited to linguistic and structural support.\"
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elaboration of the dissertation and preparation for the Viva | 150 | 6 | |
| Reading appropriate bibliography | 64 | 2.56 | |
| Discussions with supervisor | 10 | 0.4 |
PLANNING
This module is exclusively devoted to the writing of the dissertation and is based on students’ autonomous work and discussions with their supervisor, as students will write it individually and will present it orally in a viva. Therefore, students must organize their work autonomously. However, there will be a minimum of 4 face-to-face discussions with the supervisor, which are compulsory. These meetings will be useful to solve problems on the structure, content and methodology of the dissertation. In the following planning table, compulsory face-to-face meetings with the supervisor will be set, as well as the dates in which drafts must be handed in.
| WEEK | CONTENT | METHOD |
| 1 | First meeting with the supervisor to set the aims, content and approach of the dissertation | Face-to-face discussion with the supervisor 1 |
| 3 | Handing in the dissertation project, which must include: title, aims, structure, methodology and basic bibliography | Online discussion with the supervisor |
| 7 | First draft: handing in 40% of the dissertation | Online discussion with the supervisor |
| 8 | Revision of the first draft | |
| 12 | Second draft: handing in 90% of the dissertation | Online discussion with the supervisor |
| 14 | Revision of the second draft | Face-to-face discussion with the supervisor 3 |
| 16 | Final version of the dissertation | Online discussion with the supervisor |
| 18 | Preparation for the viva | Face-to-face discussion with the supervisor 4 |
This module will be taught in Spanish.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thesis committee's grade | 40% | 0.25 | 0.01 | CA13, CA14, KA12, KA13, SA19, SA20 |
| viva | 20% | 0.5 | 0.02 | CA15 |
| supervisor's grade | 40% | 0.25 | 0.01 | CA13, CA14, KA12, KA13, SA19, SA20 |
This MA will conclude with the writing of and public viva for an MA dissertation, which will be about 60 minutes long maximum. The examining committee will be made up of three members, excluding the dissertation supervisor. If the MA dissertation is not submitted on time or is failed, students will have to retake it the following year.
Assessment will include:
- Written dissertation: 80% (40% tutor, 40% examining committee)
- Viva: 20%
The main assessment criteria for the written dissertation are as follows:
- Overall assessment of the Master's dissertation (20%)
- Contributions and results (20%)
- Structure (10%)
- Methodology (15%)
- Formal aspects and linguistic accuracy (15%)
- Citations and bibliography (15%)
The assessment criteria for the oral defence are as follows:
- Content (20%)
- Presentation (20%)
- Tools (10%)
- Time (10%)
- Questions and comments (40%)
- Citations and bibliography (15%)
Irregularities in assessment activities
In case of irregularities (plagiarism, copying, identity theft, etc.) in an assessment activity, the mark of the whole activity will be 0. In case of irregularities in various assessment activities, the final mark of the module will be 0. Assessment activities in which irregularities have occurred (such as plagiarism, copying, identity theft) are excluded from re-evaluation.
Students are encouraged to check the UAB instructions on plagiarism ( http://blogs.uab.cat/dretsautor/category/plagi/) and the ‘Guia explicativa sobre com citar per evitar el plagi’ by the UAB, available on the same website.
Single assessment
This module may NOT be assessed under the single assessment system.
Use of generative artificial intelligence
Any irregularity committed in an assessment activity (including academic fraud, plagiarism or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorised in the course guide), that may lead to a significant change in the mark, will result in that assessment activity being awarded a mark of 0. If the course guide establishes that, in order to pass the course, students must obtain a minimum mark in that assessment activity, or if several irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final mark for the course will be 0. In addition, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who commits any of these irregularities.
Bibliography
Since each MA dissertation is on a specific topic, bibliography will vary depending on the topic chosen, but here are some basic reference works related to research methodology:
- Casas-Tost, Helena and Sara, Rovira-Esteva. 2015. Guía de estilo para el uso de palabras de origen chino. Madrid: Adeli. <https://ddd.uab.cat/record/180644>
Hartley, James. 2008. Academic Writing and Publishing: A Practical Handbook. London: Routledge.
- Koval, Martín; Koval, Santiago. 2015. ¿Cómo se hace un trabajo académico? Material de apoyo del Taller de metodología y redacción académica. EDICIONES INCERTIDUMBRE.
- Mackey, Allison; Gass, Susan M. 2022. 3a ed. Second language research: Methodology and design. Routledge.
- Murray, Rowena; Moore, Sarah. 2006. The Handbook of Academic Writing. Berkshire, England: Open University Press.
- Nicodemus, Brenda; Swabey, Laurie. 2016. “Action Research.” In Researching Translation and Interpreting, edited by Angelelli, Claudia V.; Baer, Brian James, 157–67. New York; Oxon: Routledge.
- Nunan, David. 1992. Research Methods in Language Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Rigo, Antònia; Genescà, Gabriel. 2002. Cómo Presentar una Tesis y Trabajos de Investigación. Vic; Barcelona: Eumo, Octaedro.
Software
none in particular
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TFMm) Treball de fi de màster | 1 | Spanish | second semester | afternoon |