Teaching and learning methods
Teaching occurs almost every day in full-time introductionary courses in the First Cycle and most of the tuition is compulsory. At higher levels the students work more independently and there are less scheduled meetings.
The teaching methods vary depending on focus and level of the course. In the First Cycle there is mainly a combination of lectures and seminars. The most used teaching form at higher levels is the seminar. Apart from lectures and seminars the students are involved in a range of exercises with the aim of learning how to use certain kinds of methods, materials and techniques. Excursions and field courses are vital and popular contributions to other learning methods. Many courses include some sort of fieldwork where students individually or in teams collect material, map, observe, make interviews and make various analyses in the field. Fieldwork typically occurs in the Stockholm region, some times in other parts of Sweden, and in a few courses field trips are organized aboard.
Courses are primarily theoretical, particularly in the Second Cycle. In most courses, especially in the Second Cycle, students are expected to demonstrate skills to interpret and analyse theories in the theme of the course, discuss and compare, and in written and oral forms scientifically discuss empirical and theoretical problems. Students are expected to critically discuss various texts, including other students’ papers.
Throughout the courses emphasis is placed on teaching students how to write scientific papers and theses.
Language
A good command of the English language is obviously necessary for exchange students who would like to successfully study courses in English. For exchange students there are no specific requirements for English knowledge; knowledge of English is assumed. The recommended language level is B2 (described in the guideline "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment").
Similarly, exchange students who wish to study courses in Swedish must have a good command of the Swedish language. For exchange students who would like to learn or improve there knowledge of Swedish the Department of Swedish Language and Multilingualism offers courses.
Examination
The (regular) examination is made within the course period. Many forms of examination are used.
A common method is take-home examination. This is an open book, open note examination in the form of a paper or an essay. There will usually be a number of questions.
Written “sit-down” examinations are quite common in the First Cycle courses.
Continuous assessment is used in many courses and may be based on compulsory attendance as well as participation in seminars arranged throughout the course. In several courses students also write an extended paper or report.
Examinations seldom require that students merely reproduce the material presented during lectures. Most courses require a number of examination formats and occasions within the course; one course can for instance include active participation in seminars where student papers are discussed and criticized by other students, paperwork (individually and/or in teams), take-home examination, compulsory exercises and excursions.
- Regulations for education and examination at the First and Second Cycles at Stockholm University
- Rules for written exams at Stockholm University
Plagiarism and regulations for disciplinary matters
As a student you have to be conscientious about clearly accounting for the material used in the texts that are submitted for examination. To use other people’s expressions or ideas without stating where they are from is plagiarism. To translate and/or change some words in someone else’s text and present it as one’s own is obviously also a form of plagiarism. There must be no doubt about what your own expressions and ideas are and what has been gathered from other sources. Plagiarism is considered to be cheating and if discovered in an exam or paper, the exam or paper will immediately be failed and disciplinary measures may be taken. Any student who is caught cheating or disrupting academic activities can be suspended from lectures and exams for a period of up to six months. This would have grave consequences for exchange students as you might not be allowed to gain any credits during your exchange period. The Vice-Chancellor or the Disciplinary Council decides whether the student is to be subject to any disciplinary measures.
