Course detail

Pro-seminar

FA-PRO-ZEAcad. year: 2025/2026

The Pro-seminary course is designed to prepare students for the writing of their master's thesis in Integrative Urban Studies. The course focuses on the selection of a thesis topic, a suitable master's seminar, and the development of research skills necessary to write a high-quality master's thesis. Students will familiarize themselves with the process of writing scientific papers and explore topics in urban planning, architecture, urban policies, and urban sociology.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Identify and select a suitable thesis topic and master's seminar.
  • Develop a research design and methodology for their master's thesis.
  • Understand the structure and format of scientific papers.
  • Improve their academic writing and critical thinking skills.
  • Apply interdisciplinary approaches to analyze urban issues.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

dr. hab. Mateusz Blaszczyk

Department

University of Wroclaw ()

Aims

  • Students know how to formulate a research topic in the field of urban public policy.
  • Students are able to identify suitable research methods to work with a given research topic in the field of urban public policy.
  • Students are able to organize their empirical material and the used conceptual apparatus within a coherent argumentation on a researched topic in the field of urban public policy. 
  • Students know the main convention of academic writing, and are able to produce academic text in the field of urban public policy.
  • Students are able to use in their research projects the notions and research arguments from the bordering academic fields - economy, sociology, anthropology.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

  • Individual research proposal (50%, at the end of the course)
  • Individual oral presentation (25%, right after the presentation)
  • Class participation (25%, at the end of the course)

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2016). The Craft of Research (4th ed.). University of Chicago Press (EN)
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/pare/vol14/iss1/13/ (EN)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878764915001606?via%3Dihub (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NE_INUS Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

30 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

dr. hab. Mateusz Blaszczyk

Syllabus

  1. Introduction to the course and expectations
    • Overview of the course and its objectives
    • Discussion of the master's thesis process
    • Importance of interdisciplinary approaches in urban studies
  2. Identifying research interests and choosing a thesis topic
    • Brainstorming research ideas
    • Narrowing down research interests
    • Criteria for selecting a suitable thesis topic
  3. Finding a suitable master's seminar
    • Overview of available master's seminars
    • Aligning your thesis topic with a seminar
    • Connecting with potential advisors
  4. Literature review and research gap identification
    • Conducting a literature review
    • Identifying research gaps
    • Developing research questions
  5. Research design and methodology
    • Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches
    • Selecting a research design
    • Developing a research proposa
  6. Data collection and analysis
    • Primary and secondary data sources
    • Techniques for data collection
    • Analyzing and interpreting data
  7. Ethics in research
    • Ethical considerations in research
    • Informed consent and confidentiality
    • Institutional review boards (IRBs) and ethical approval
  8. Academic writing and structuring your thesis
    • Components of a scientific paper
    • Organizing your thesis
    • Writing a strong introduction and conclusion
  9. Citations and referencing
    • Citation styles and formatting
    • Paraphrasing and avoiding plagiarism
    • Using citation management tools
  10. Critical thinking and argumentation
    • Developing critical thinking skills
    • Building strong arguments
    • Addressing counterarguments and limitations/li>
  11. Presentation skills and defending your thesis
    • Preparing an effective presentation
    • Public speaking tips
    • Handling questions and feedback during the defense
  12. Peer review and feedback
    • The importance of peer review
    • Giving and receiving constructive feedback
    • Revising and editing your thesis
  13. Course wrap-up and final reflections
    • Review of course objectives and progress
    • Discussion of next steps in the master's thesis process
    • Final reflections and course evaluation