Area Study Pa­per

Course content

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).