Course Title

THESIS

Course Code

GRAD400136

Credit

7

Program Level

Program

Instruction Language

Applicable for TESOL Program

Requirement in TESOL Program

Semester in TESOL Program

8

Overview

Depending on their study ability and conditions for the thesis, final-year TESOL students can be assigned to conduct a research project under the guidance of a personal thesis supervisor. This project involves a step-by-step process from shaping a research focus, formulating research questions, developing data collecting instruments, analysing data in coherent qualitative and/or quantitative models, and discussing and highlighting findings relevant to the field of second language teaching and learning. The thesis must be presented at a public oral defence. The course will help students practice the skills of doing independent research, collecting, analyzing and synthesizing materials, and develop their critical thinking.

Objectives

Goals Goal description
G1 Knowledge of structure, requirements of content, format and the basic steps in the thesis process at undergraduate level.
G2 Ability to collect and analyze collected data, discuss and interpret findings of the graduation thesis.
G3 Effective communication and teamwork skills related to forming structures, expressing content related to graduation thesis.
G4 Ability to design a detailed proposal, questionnaire/interview, and complete the graduation thesis at undergraduate level

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes Description
G1

Demonstrate knowledge of the structure of a graduation thesis and its steps in the thesis process.

Exhibit knowledge of how to conduct a graduation thesis with appropriate ideas, conventional style as well as tables and figures as required.

G2

Prove ability to define the topic, scope and applicable research methods to the requirements of a graduation thesis at undergraduate level.

Manifest logical and concise expression skills through analyzing, synthesizing collected data and interpreting the findings.

Show skills in citing, summarizing, or interpreting the content and creating references upon APA convention.

G3

Work independently or collaborately to discuss and solve emerging problems in conducting the graduation thesis.

Possess oral presentation skills

G4 Demonstrate ability to design a detailed proposal and questionnaire/ interview

Materials

-Coursebooks:
+ The Bedford Guide for College Writers. 7th Edition. “Writer’s Research Manual”. pp. 545-663.
+ Seliger, H & Shohamy, E. 1990. Second Language Research Methods. London. OUP
+ Starks, R. 2003. Skills Success in 20 Minutes a Day. New York. Learning Express.
+ Weinbach, R & Grinnech, R. 1995. Statistics for Social Workers. 3rd edition. London. Longman

-References: 
+ Purdue University On-Line Writing Laboratory
+ Elements of Style
<http://www.cc.columbia.edu/acis/bartleby/strunk/>
Purdue University On-Line Writing Laboratory
<http://owl.english.purdue.edu>

Assessment

Assessment  Percentage
- Thesis content and research method 25%
- Thesis format and structure 25%
- Thesis defence 25%
- Thesis report 25%