Syllabus
Download: Complete Syllabus (PDF)
About This Seminar
The thesis seminar guides students through each stage of the thesis-writing process: developing and refining a research question; identifying and engaging relevant literature, data, and sources; selecting appropriate theoretical frameworks and research designs; applying suitable methods; and organizing a coherent and persuasive thesis.
The bachelor’s thesis, a 10,000-word research paper (±10% margin), represents the culmination of your undergraduate studies in Korean Studies. As the final major academic endeavor of the curriculum, the thesis presents a rewarding challenge and a great opportunity for academic and personal growth. Your thesis should demonstrate knowledge and skills relevant to the discipline of Korean Studies, including language ability; knowledge of history, politics, or culture; theory and methodology; and academic writing skills.
The seminar consists of lectures and workshop-style classes during the first four weeks (the “boot camp”), followed by individual supervision meetings and periodic class sessions. This structure provides the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to plan and write an original, well-researched thesis on a topic of your own choosing.
Important: Attendance is mandatory. A thesis cannot be submitted outside the seminar context. Time management is crucial for meeting deadlines.
Course Objectives
Students are expected to:
- Engage with academic debates and scholarly discussions
- Read selected literature in academic writing and research
- Communicate research findings effectively in both written and spoken English
- Participate actively and knowledgeably in seminar discussions
- Apply current research methods relevant to their research project
Students will develop the following academic skills:
- Specify a research question appropriate to the field of Korean Studies
- Formulate a well-defined research problem based on a thorough literature review
- Locate and compile specialized literature using traditional and digital research tools
- Critically evaluate the quality and reliability of sources in English and Korean
- Design and conduct a supervised research study using relevant methods and techniques
- Draw evidence-based conclusions from the research conducted
Evaluation
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Participation (including peer review) | 10% |
| Assignment #1: Revised Research Proposal | 20% |
| Assignment #2: Preliminary Draft | 35% |
| Assignment #3: Empirical Draft | 35% |
The final thesis is graded separately by a thesis committee (First and Second Reader).
Note: To pass this course, students must receive an overall mark of 5.50 (=6) or higher and a passing grade for Assignment #3 (5.5 or higher).
Deadlines
All assignments are due by 23:59 on the due date via Brightspace.
| Assignment | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Assignment #1 (Revised Proposal) | March 13, 2026 |
| Assignment #2 (Preliminary Draft) | April 03, 2026 |
| Assignment #3 (Empirical Draft) | May 06, 2026 |
| Final Manuscript | June 01, 2026 |
Policies
Attendance
A strict attendance policy is in effect:
- Missing more than three sessions may result in being barred from further attendance and may lead to your paper not being graded
- Any absences must be communicated in advance
- Dispensation for extenuating circumstances can only be granted by the Board of Examiners
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Borrowing an idea or using a sentence from another’s work without proper citation will result in course failure. See the Regulations on Plagiarism for more information.
Use of Generative AI
Generative AI (GenAI) tools may be used only in ethical, responsible, and transparent ways, in accordance with the Guidelines for the Use of GenAI in Assessment established by the Faculty of Humanities. Unless explicitly permitted, AI-generated content may not be submitted as your own work; any approved use must be disclosed and properly cited. Consult with your thesis supervisor if you have questions about appropriate use of these tools.
Disability Accommodation
If you would like to request academic accommodations due to a disability, please meet with the instructor early in the semester and follow the formal process through the study advisor.
Assignments Overview
See the Assignments page for detailed requirements and rubrics.
| Assignment | Length | Description |
|---|---|---|
| #1: Revised Proposal | 1,000-1,500 words | Refined research question, research problem, literature connection, preliminary methodology |
| #2: Preliminary Draft | 3,000-3,500 words | Introduction, literature review, methodology aligned with FAIR principles |
| #3: Empirical Draft | 5,000+ words total | Draft empirical chapter with preliminary findings, building on previous components |
| Final Thesis | 10,000 words (±10%) | Complete manuscript formatted per Style Guide |
Boot Camp (Weeks 1-4)
The first four weeks provide structured training in research fundamentals before students transition to independent work with their supervisors.
Week 1: Research Question
February 06: Developing a Research Question and Identifying the Research Problem
Objectives:
- Understand what makes a good research question
- Learn how to identify a research problem or gap in the literature
- Introduce the structure of an academic research manuscript
Reading:
- Introduction and Part I of Mullaney, Thomas S., and Christopher Rea. Where Research Begins: Choosing a Research Project That Matters to You (and the World). University of Chicago Press, 2022. ([PDF])(/baks_thesis-seminar/readings/Mullaney_Rea_Where_Research_Begins.pdf)
Class Plan:
- Define the structure of an academic research paper (introduction, research problem, research question)
- Discuss what constitutes a strong research question: clarity, relevance, and specificity
- Explain the concept of a research gap and strategies for identifying gaps in Korean Studies literature
- Workshop: Students brainstorm research questions and possible gaps
Exercise: Revise/draft a research question and identify the research problem. Provide a brief explanation of the gap your research will address.
Week 2: Data and Sources
February 13: Data and Sources – Generation, Collection, and FAIR Principles
Objectives:
- Learn about primary and secondary data collection and management
- Introduce the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) framework
Class Plan:
- Differentiate between types of data: primary vs. secondary sources, qualitative vs. quantitative
- Discuss the importance of using Korean-language sources in Korean Studies research
- Define and explain each element of the FAIR principles and their relevance to research data management
- Discuss methods for generating and collecting primary data (interviews, surveys, archival research)
- Workshop: Students develop data collection plans applying FAIR principles
Exercise: Generate a plan outlining the type of data you intend to collect, how you will collect it, and how it aligns with the FAIR principles.
Week 3: Literature Review
February 20: Conducting a Literature Review
Objectives:
- Understand the purpose and structure of a literature review
- Learn how to connect the literature review to research questions, gaps, and frameworks
Class Plan:
- Define the literature review’s role: summarizing existing work, identifying gaps, framing the research problem
- Discuss how literature reviews serve as a foundation for developing a research question and theoretical framework
- Strategies for organizing literature reviews: chronological, thematic, methodological approaches
- Explain how to critically assess and synthesize literature to justify the research problem
- Show how a strong literature review links the research question, gap, and theoretical framework
- Workshop: Students begin outlining their literature review
Exercise: Generate an annotated bibliography and a draft outline of the literature review. Include key sources and explain how they connect to the research question and gap.
Week 4: Analysis and Reporting
February 27: Analysis and Reporting – Empirical Strategies for Data Interpretation
Objectives:
- Review methods for analyzing research data
- Discuss strategies for reporting empirical findings in a structured manner
Class Plan:
- Overview of analysis methods: qualitative (thematic, content analysis) and quantitative (descriptive, inferential statistics)
- Focus on approaches appropriate to qualitative analysis using primary sources (e.g., newspapers)
- Examples from Korean Studies of how to apply these methods
- Discuss how to structure the findings section, linking back to the research question and literature review
- Workshop: Students review examples of well-structured findings sections
Exercise: Outline how you will analyze and present your data, focusing on connecting findings to the research problem and literature review.
Remainder of Course
After the boot camp, students work independently with supervisors while attending periodic class sessions.
| Week | Date | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Mar. 06 | No class – plan meeting with supervisor |
| — | Mar. 13 | Assignment #1 due |
| 6 | Mar. 20 | Pre-recorded lecture: Review of weeks 1-4 |
| — | Mar. 27 | Spring break |
| — | Apr. 03 | Assignment #2 due |
| 7 | Apr. 10 | Peer review of preliminary drafts |
| 8 | Apr. 17 | Ethical concerns (AI, plagiarism, etc.) and review of KS Protocol |
| 9 | Apr. 24 | No class – free research time |
| 10 | May 01 | No class – free research time |
| — | May 06 | Assignment #3 due |
| 11 | May 08 | Incorporating feedback; in-class review and consultations |
| — | Jun. 01 | Final manuscript due |