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2019/2020  BA-BBLCV7500U  Area Study Paper

English Title
Area Study Paper

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc and MSc in Business, Language and Culture, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Søren Jeppesen - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
  • Intercultural studies
  • Language
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 29/05/2019

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Write the paper in the second language of the student (French, German or Spanish), in a language quality which, though not flawless, should be easily understandable by the examiner,
  • Independently explore, review and systematise the academic literature on a topic of interest,
  • Address the research question with appropriate and justified choices of theory and research design, demonstrating an awareness of alternative choices,
  • Conduct a literature search so as to locate the own research underpinning the paper substantively in relation to work that has been previously been undertaken done by identifying what is already known and providing new insights into where the own research may contribute (indicative literature requirements are presented below),
  • Make use of at least three academic references in the second language of the student (French, German or Spanish),
  • Arrive at a clear and well substantiated conclusion and discuss persuasive implications,
  • Present the entire analysis in a clear and coherent manner.
Course prerequisites
The paper is offered to BLC students who have failed courses in their second language during their exchange and are required to meet the Programme Regulations of 15 ECTS of electives covering their Area Study.
Students can only be signed up when their final credit transfer case is completed.
Contact disp-blc@cbs.dk for further information.
Examination
Area Study Paper:
Exam ECTS 7.5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
The hand-in deadline is at 12:00 on:
June 1st
September 1st
If these dates are in the weekend, hand-in is the first working day following.
Assignment type Report
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Summer and Autumn
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

There is not one standard template for an Area Study Free Paper in Business, Language and Culture (BLC). Students make their own choices – in consultation with their supervisors – on research design, the use of theory, methodology, and data. All papers, however, must have a clear research question. 

 

Papers can be theory-driven as well as evidence-driven. However, a theoretical element is always required. Thus, papers should support or challenge existing theory or practice. Students may achieve this objective by:

 

  • contributing to an understanding of theories,
  • using theory to explain a real-life phenomenon, 
  • initiating a search for new ideas by carefully delineating a novel type of problem, or
  • discussing the theoretical implications of empirical findings,

 

Students are advised not to engage in large scale collection of primary data, and generally they should discuss the scope of the paper with their supervisors. If a study appears unfeasible for reasons of method, funding, time or any other structural constraint, then the student is advised to revisit the question(s) that have been posed in an effort to ensure a close fit between the method and the focus of the study.

 

There is a requirement for independent reading. This is 500 pages and refers to the reading of material that is not part of the set curriculum for the BLC Programme. This requirement is indicative and the way it is met is part of the assessment criteria. However, at least three academic references must be made in the second language chosen by the student (French, German or Spanish).

 

 

 

 
Description of the teaching methods
The paper is independently written under the guidance and supervision of a staff member. The character of the supervision process is to be agreed between the staff member and the student.

For a 7.5 ECTS paper there are 4 hours of supervision, (including staff time for preparation and grading.)
Feedback during the teaching period
Report and research paper supervision should always be a two-way process. Students are encouraged to seek feedback on their work by maintaining contact with their supervisor on a regular basis and preparing in advance for supervision sessions by drawing up an agenda listing questions or issues for meetings or discussions. Documents to be read should be sent at least 48h before a meeting.
Student workload
Preparation time (readings etc.) 135 hours
Supervision 4 hours
Exam (incl. preparation for the exam and actual exam period) 69 hours
Expected literature

To be agreed between student and supervisor.
Last updated on 29/05/2019