Teaching and Examination Regulations Master s programme Medical Anthropology and Sociology

Transcription

1 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master s programme Medical Anthropology and Sociology The Teaching and examination regulations (onderwijs- en examenregeling, OER) form the document that contains the essential regulations about the curriculum and the examination of each programme. The (minimum) content of these regulations is stipulated by Dutch law. These regulations below follow the legal stipulations. They are also mainly based upon the suggested formulations used in the central UvA-Model-Regulations. Moreover, these Regulations have also been harmonised to quite an extent with all other programmes of the College and the Graduate School of Social Sciences. Next to these Teaching and Examination Regulations, there are other regulations and descriptions of procedures, such as the Examination Committee Regulations, procedures about course registration and the student handbook/student charter and the Fraud and Plagiarism Regulation. Through your programme s and/or the Graduate School s website and/or MyUvA (Student Service Point) you can find these other regulations. This OER is valid from the first of September 2012 until the next version of the OER is passed. The regulations referred to within this document are applicable without exception to all students of the programme at hand, regardless of the year the student began her/his studies. When no transitional provisions are specified for older programme requirements and students who began with these older programmes are thereby possibly disadvantaged by the present OER, the Examination Committee will take relevant regulations from earlier versions of the OER into account in arriving at its decision. Please note that Article numbers in these Regulations follow the central UvA-Model-Regulation. All article numbers are included, also in cases where the article does not apply. Chapter 1 General provisions Article 1.1 Applicability of the regulations These regulations apply to the teaching and the examinations of the Master study programme Medical Anthropology and Sociology, hereinafter referred to as: the programme. The Educational Institute Graduate School of Social Sciences (GSSS), hereinafter referred to as: the Educational Institute or the school, of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG), hereinafter referred to as: the Faculty, provides the programme. Article 1.2 Definitions Definitions a-ai are general definitions used in the College and the Graduate School of Social Sciences (CSW & GSSS). All general definitions are included in the list unless they are defined elsewhere (faculty regulations, the law), regardless of actual inclusion in these specific regulations. Definitions as of aj where this applies - are specific to this programme. The following definitions are used in these Regulations: a. the Act: the Dutch Higher Education and Research Act (Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek (WHW)); b. the University: the University of Amsterdam (UvA); c. student: the person enrolled at the university to pursue education and/or take examinations/examinations as part of the programme; d. propaedeutic phase: the first year of the Bachelor programme; e. post-propaedeutic phase: the second and third year of the Bachelor programme; f. examination: the Bachelor or Master final examination of the programme; g. programme/curriculum: the totality and cohesiveness of the programme components, teaching activities/methods, contact hours, testing and examination methods and recommended literature; h. programme component: a unit of study of the programme within the meaning of the Act; i. practical exercise: the participation in a practical training or other educational learning activity, aimed at acquiring certain (academic) skills.

2 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology Examples of practical exercises are: o researching and writing a thesis or paper, o carrying out a research assignment, o taking part in field work or an excursion, o taking part in another educational learning activity aimed at acquiring specific skills, or o participating in and completing an internship; j. portfolio: the collection of educational products (written and/or electronic) representing the student s achievements within the programme he/she has chosen; k. seminar: a class in which the material is addressed primarily on a problem- or case-oriented basis; l. lecture-seminar: seminar accompanying/supporting a lecture; m. thesis: a component comprising research into the literature, collection of data and/or contributing to scientific research, always resulting in a written report; n. interim of other examination: assessment of a student s knowledge, understanding and skills relating to a programme component. The assessment is expressed in terms of a final mark/grade. An interim of other examination may consist of one or more partial interim of other examinations. A resit always covers the same material as the original examination; o. workload: the workload of the programme component to which and interim of other examination applies, expressed in terms of credits = ECTS credits or EC (ECTS=European Credit and Transfer Accumulation System). The workload for 1 year (1680 hours) is 60 ECTS credits/ec; p. Credit/EC: an ECTS credit (EC) with a workload of 28 hours of study; q. fraud and plagiarism: the student s actions or failures to act that make it wholly or partially impossible to accurately judge his/her knowledge, understanding and skills; r. academic year: the period beginning on 1 September of one calendar year and ending on 31 August of the following calendar year; s. minor: a coherent programme of 30 EC that is aimed at creating background in a second discipline or an interdisciplinary subject; t. preparatory programme: programme consisting of 60 EC at maximum that students without a diploma that directly grants access need to complete first in order to gain access to a specific master s programme u. Studieweb/SIS: the application on the University website that can be used for course registration and perusal of grades. v. MyUvA: the personalised webpage of the University of Amsterdam where students can peruse their data w. studieadviseur: the person, who is in charge of study advice to the student of the programme. x. opleidingscoördinator: the person, who, together with the programme director, is in charge of organisation and co-ordinating the programme. y. programme manager: the person, who is in charge of study advice to the student and the organisation and co-ordination of the programme, either together with the academic advisor/tutor or with the programme director; z. academic advisor: the member of the academic staff responsible for the student s academic guidance; aa. course manual: manual of the course/programme component which includes all relevant information for the course/programme component. ab. result partial examination: result (=grade) of a partial examination, registered or unregistered separately ac. BlackBoard the digital learning environment as used at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.

3 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology ad. Rules & Guidelines ae. registrar: af. Effort requirements: ag. Intake ah. Dean ai. Programme Director the rules and guidelines of the examination committees in the sense of Book 7, Article 12b of the law; the document, which comprises further procedures concerning the teaching and the examinations of a programme (examination regulations). the Registrar of the English-taught programmes of the GSSS, responsible on behalf of the GSSS for the maintenance of academic records and matters concerning diplomas, certificates, and transcripts. Requirements concerning (active) participation in teaching and examination that students need to meet, as defined in the course manual; these requirements consists of (a) respecting deadlines for handing in papers, assignments and examinations as stipulated in the course manual, (b) respecting course manual stipulations regarding attendance in the course (where this applies), (c) participation in the (interim) examinations, and (d) active participation in class at the lecturer s discretion; the procedure a student who has applied for the bachelor programme needs to follow before enrolling to verify his/her choice of study. the dean is responsible for the integral management of the College/Graduate School. The dean directs the programme directors and staff of support of the institute; the programme director is responsible for the program set-up, the organization, execution and quality of the program, within the given context of the College/Graduate School. The other terms have the meanings ascribed to them in the Act. Chapter 2 Admission to the programme Article 2.1 -Entry requirements Students who want to apply for admittance need the following qualifications: 1. An academic bachelor s degree (or equivalent) in a field of Social Sciences or Medical Sciences (health sciences, medicine and biomedical sciences) (a bachelor s degree from a University outside the Netherlands should be valued at three years of Dutch University education). 2. Prior knowledge in the Social Sciences (18 EC); 3. Prior training in research methods and techniques in the social sciences (including qualitative methods and techniques) (12 EC); 4. Completion of previous studies with an overall grade average equivalent to at least a: o B/3.0 (American system) o Second class, lower division Honours degree (British system) o C (ECTS system) o 7.0 (Dutch system) 5. Ability to write an academic text that shows analytical capacity and writing skills. 6. Endorsement by two (academic) persons; 7. Positive motivation. The maximum number of students admitted to the educational programme is 30 per year. The admission committee will establish an order of priority among the submitted applications based on the knowledge, understanding and skills of those applying. Article 2.2 Preparatory programme 1. If, in the opinion of the Admissions Committee, an admission request does not satisfy the requirements set, but these requirements can be expected to be met within a reasonable period, the applicant shall be given the opportunity to satisfy the requirements by means of a

4 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology supplementary, preparatory programme. The maximum number of EC in this preparatory programme is 30. The Standard Preparatory Programme consists of the subjects: Before 1 st semester EC Intensive Introduction Course to Research Methodology n.a. 2 nd semester Foundations of Social Sciences 12 Introduction to Research Methodology 12 Elective 6 Overall Total Students can only be admitted to the Master s programme if they have successfully completed the 30 EC preparatory programme within 1 year at maximum (also see Article 5.8, paragraph 1). 3. In the event of demonstrable, considerable unreasonableness and unfairness, the examination committee can permit, for a period determined by the committee, deviations from the completion of the preparatory programme. Article 2.3 English language 1. Admission to the Master s programme requires sufficient command of the English language. Students who have obtained a bachelor s diploma from the College of Social Sciences of the University of Amsterdam meet the requirement of being proficient in the English language provided that they have successfully passed the Academic English exam of the College of Social Sciences or are officially exempted from doing this exam. 2. All other non-native speakers of English are required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English by submitting a test score of one of the following tests: a. International TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test scores (institutional tests will not be accepted) o Computer-based test: minimum total score 232; minimum score on each component 18 (components are: listening, structure/writing, and reading) o Paper-based test: minimum total score 575; minimum score on each component 50 (components are: listening, structure/writing, and reading) o Internet-based test: minimum total score 90; minimum score on each component 16 (components are: listening, structure/writing, reading, and speaking) b. IELTS (International English Language Testing System), minimum score of 6.5 c. English as a Foreign Language Exams (FLE) of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) (FCE test will not be accepted) o Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), minimum score of C o Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), minimum score of C d. For applicants residing in (or visiting) Amsterdam, an English proficiency exam is organised by the GSSS in collaboration with the British Language Training Centre (BLTC), minimum score of 6.5. e. Native speakers of the English language are in principle considered to have sufficient proficiency in English. Whether a student is regarded as a native or non-native speaker, is based on nationality as proven by the identity papers submitted (passport or birth certificate). If one s nationality is not of a country of which English is considered to be the main and only official language, a valid English test score is required. If one s nationality is of a country with more official languages (of which one is the English language), the student needs to submit a valid English test score as mentioned below or prove that his/her undergraduate studies are completely taught in English. If the language of instruction is not mentioned on the transcripts or diploma, the student will need to submit a letter from the educational institute, stating that the curriculum is completely taught in English. Students who are regarded as native speakers of English based on their nationality but who appear not to have sufficient command of the English language during the application process, can be asked to submit a test as stipulated under a-d.

5 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology Article 2.4 Admission procedures 1. The examination committee of the programme is responsible for admission to the programme. The examination committee can appoint an admission committee that handles all applications for admission to that particular programme on behalf of the examination committee. 2. With a view to admitting students to the programme, the examination committee/admission committee evaluates the candidate s knowledge, understanding and skills. The committee includes knowledge of the language in which the programme will be taught in this assessment. The committee may request experts within or outside the university to test certain types of knowledge, understanding and skills, in order to supplement written evidence of the programme/programmes the student has completed. 3. Decisions of the examination committee/admission committee of the programme are based on the applicant s academic record in relation to the programme and the expected suitability of the applicant to complete the programme and obtain the degree within the set time limit. The examination committee/admission committee decides how many and which courses a student will have to take in order to fulfil the requirements for the respective programme. Such decisions are final and must be accepted by the candidate prior to the completion of the admissions process. The examination committee/admission committee can give additional instructions with respect to the order in which courses should be taken. 4. The admission evaluation takes place once a year. 5. For admission in September, a complete request for admission to the programme must be submitted to the examination committee/admission before 1 March (foreign or non-regular Dutch academic qualifications) or 1 April (regular Dutch academic qualifications). Under exceptional circumstances, the admission committee may consider a request submitted after this closing date. 6. Admission is granted on the condition that, by the relevant starting date at the latest, the candidate fulfils the provisions of Article 2.1 regarding knowledge and skills, as evidenced by the diplomas that he/she has obtained for completed programmes. 7. Candidates receive either confirmation of admission or a negative decision. An appeal against a negative decision can be lodged with the Examination Appeals Board (Cobex). 8. Further details relevant for the selection procedure, such as which documents need to be produced, will be published on the school s website. Article 2.5 Intake dates 1. Intake into the programme is possible at the beginning of the first semester of the academic year (September). The intake date mentioned in this paragraph ensures a programme that can be expected to be completed in the nominal period. 2. When the programme commences, the student must have completed fully the Bachelor s programme, preparatory programme or other previous qualification allowing admittance to this Master s programme. 3. If intake takes place at a date other than that stated in paragraph 1 of this Article, the feasibility of the programme being completed within the set time cannot be guaranteed. Artikel 2.6 Recognition of acquired competencies Those who have not yet been admitted to the programme may be eligible for recognition of acquired competencies. A reasoned, written request must be submitted to the Examination Committee to this end. Chapter 3 Contents and organisation of the programme Article 3.1 Aim of the programme and exit qualifications 1. The programme aims at: o knowledge, skills and understanding in the area of Medical Anthropology and Sociology and achieving exit qualifications named in the second paragraph of this Article.

6 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology o academic education, including acquiring academic skills (such as reasoning, written, vocal and research skills, correctly quoting and registering sources), learning to solve complex problems both independently and creatively and learning to reflect critically. 2. The student graduating from the programme: The graduate has acquired knowledge and understanding: o of the social and cultural dimensions of illness, health, and health care; o of the theoretical, methodological and ethical aspects of social science research to study the above mentioned dimensions o of social science theory and of methods and techniques in qualitative research (especially in the fields of medical and cultural anthropology, medical sociology, science/technology studies, and social theory); The acquired cognitive and/or professional abilities enable the graduate to: o distil from empirical data theoretical insights relevant to the social sciences; o independently design and conduct research in the field, and to clearly present findings both written and orally in accordance with the scholarly standards of the discipline o formulate social science research questions and research design in the field of health, society and culture; o analyze the sociocultural dimensions of medical knowledge, practices, and technologies; o analyze the social and historical processes that shape health and illness; Concerning the ability of formulating judgements, the graduate should be able to: o critically assess the scholarly literature relevant to the field o formulate social science research questions and research design in the field of health, society and culture; o use skills and knowledge learned in the program to analyse problems in the practice of health care, to conduct applied research and to contribute to policy-making and practical applications (in multidisciplinary teams) within the health care sector. The graduate should be in possession of the following communicative skills: o The ability to express him/herself at an academic level both verbally and in writing (in English) The graduate has acquired to following competencies: o use skills and knowledge learned in the program to analyse problems in the practice of health care, to conduct applied research and to contribute to policy-making and practical applications (in multidisciplinary teams) within the health care sector. Article Organisation of the programme This programme is organised on a full-time basis. In consultation with the Examination Committee, it is possible to set up a part-time variant. Article 3.3 Language of instruction for the programme The language of instruction for the programme is English. All courses and examinations are in English. This means the Code of Conduct for Foreign Languages at the UvA 2000 and the provisions laid down in Section 7.2 of the Act apply. Article 3.4 Scope of the programme The programme has a workload of 60 ECTS credits (EC) and concludes with a final examination. One credit equals 28 hours of study activities. Article 3.5 Curriculum 1 1 See appendix I for the curriculum of students who have started their master before September 2012.

7 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology The curriculum comprises the following: A. General compulsory programme components amounting to 57 EC B. Elective courses amounting to 3 EC A. General compulsory programme components These consist of the following programme components and their accompanying workload: Programme component 1. Contemporary Topics in Medical Anthropology and Sociology 2. Theorising Practice, Practising Theory 3. Research Design MAS 4. Global Health, Development and Care 5. Thesis Seminar 6. Fieldwork and Thesis Project EC B. Elective courses The student may choose one of the following winterschool courses offered in January 2013 up to a maximum workload of 3 EC. The student can choose from the following components (subject to change): Programme component 1. Medicine and Human Rights in Cross-Cultural Perspectives 2. Culture, Psychology and Psychiatry 3. Anthropology of Sexuality, Aids and Reproductive Health EC The course choice is subject to approval of the study advisor. In exceptional cases, the examination committee may permit the choice of one or more components from another university-level Master s programme. Schematic overview 1 st semester, 1 st block 1 st semester, 2 nd block 1 st semester, 3 rd block EC Global Health, Development and Care 6 Contemporary Topics in Medical Anthropology and Sociology 9 Theorising Practice, Practising Theory 9 Research Design MAS 6 Winter course elective 3 Total Semester nd semester, 4 th block 2 nd semester, 5 th block 2 nd semester, 6 th block EC Fieldwork and Thesis Project 24 Thesis Seminar 3 Total Semester 2 27 Overall total 60 Article 3.6 Programme components from elsewhere 1. Programme components successfully completed elsewhere during the programme may supplement the student s examination programme, subject to prior permission from the examination committee. 2. Exemptions for course components successfully completed at a higher education institution prior to beginning the Master s programme may only be granted on the basis of Article 5.10 of these Regulations.

8 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology Article Free curriculum Subject to certain conditions, the student has the option of compiling a curriculum of his/her own choice which deviates from the curricula mentioned in Article 3.5 of these Regulations. The concrete details of such a curriculum require the prior permission of the relevant examination committee. Article 3.8 Transitional provisions Students of cohorts earlier than September , who need to complete programme components no longer on offer need to get in contact with the examination committee for an individual adaptation of the curriculum. Chapter 4 Teaching Article Participation in programme components and rules for priority admission 1. Only students with a correct and valid UvA registration can participate in courses and receive supervision. 2. Every student must register for every programme component. To participate in programme components, the student must register within the period indicated in the course catalogue and on the website and according to procedures mentioned there. The student may be refused the opportunity to participate if he/she does not register or fails to register in time. 3. Admission to courses/programme components with limited capacity is based upon the following consecutive priority rules: a. priority is given to students of the own programme for whom the course is a required programme component; b. priority is given to students of the own programme for whom the course is an elective programme component; c. in case of sufficient capacity, permission is granted to all other students of the Graduate School of Social Sciences; In case of insufficient capacity students will be placed on a waitinglist, with due observance of the above priority rules. 4. Students register for 30 EC per semester (or the full amount of the curriculum in the semester, when differing). Students wishing to do more than that, need to consult with their programme manager. 5. Regardless of the attendance rules as mentioned in Article 4.3 and the course manual, registered students are obliged to attend the first meeting. Students who are unable to attend the first meeting need to inform the lecturer beforehand. Students, who do not meet this requirement can be expelled from further participation. Article 4.2 Sequence and entry requirements 1. The student only may participate in interim or other examinations or practical exercises of the programme components to follow if he/she has passed the examinations for the preceding examination programme components following the study path as mentioned in Article In exceptional cases, the examination committee may, at the student s reasoned request, deviate from the order mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Article, with or without stipulating conditions. Article 4.3. Participation in courses 1. Students are required to attend all meetings of the courses for which they have registered. 2. Students need to inform the lecturer and/or the programme manager in case of absence for reasons beyond the student s control. a. Students can be asked to submit extra work to compensate for absence during meetings. b. Assignments to compensate for absence are set by the lecturer at his/her discretion. The lecturer can also decide to assign no credits if a student has missed more sessions than admissible for completion of the course. 3. In exceptional circumstances, the examination committee can make an exception to the attendance obligation at the request of the student, in the event that, in its opinion, evaluation and

9 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology judgment of the intended skills can take place when there is a lesser percentage of participation, with or without the imposition of supplementary requirements. Article 4.4. Students with a disability 1. Students with a disability may submit a written request to the Registrar to qualify for special adaptations in the courses and practical training sessions. These adaptations shall accommodate as much as possible to the student s individual disability, but may not alter the quality or degree of difficulty of the course. 2. A recent certificate from a doctor or a psychologist or, in the case of dyslexia, from a registered testing agency the Dutch Health Care Professionals (BIG), the Dutch Professional Association of Psychologists (NIP) or the Dutch Association of Educationalists (NVO) must accompany the request mentioned in paragraph 1. Where possible, this certificate must include an estimate of the degree to which the student s disability is expected to impede his/her study progress. 3. The Dean or, on his/her behalf, the director of the school or programme director makes the decision about adaptations concerning teaching facilities. Article 4.5. Course Manual For all courses/each programme component, there is a course manual. The course manual is drawn up following standard guidelines of the College and Graduate School of Social Sciences and consists of at least the following elements: a. General information about the course, such as title, content, teaching methods, and objectives of the course; b. Entry requirements; c. Effort requirements: i. Class attendance if differing from general rules (Teaching and Examination Regulations); ii. Requirements concerning the students study assignments and examinations. d. Manner and form of assessment, including deadlines and examination data and language. If the assessment is based on more than one component, the manner in which the assessment result (=grade) is reached, the weight of the components, and the period during which part-examinations count as passed (cannot exceed one academic year); e. Assessment criteria; f. The manner in which inspection of examinations and re-examinations takes place; g. The way in which papers and assignments need to be handed in, also with respect to the possible plagiarism-check through the computer application Ephorus; h. The way feedback is provided by the lecturer upon written examinations, assignments and/or papers; i. Necessary materials (for example literature) dealt with in the course and the cost, if that exceeds EUR 10,50 per EC; j. The date the final grade will be available; k. The most essential findings of the preceding year s course evaluations (if available) and possible adjustments of the course (also) based on these findings. Chapter 5 Testing and examining Article 5.1 General 1. Testing during the programme component establishes the student s academic skills and whether the student is achieving the intended learning objectives sufficiently. 2. The course manual states what the student must achieve in order to pass the programme component as well as the criteria for student assessment. 3. The Rules & Guidelines of the Examination Committee lay down procedures during examinations (examination regulations). Access the Rules & Guidelines under the programme s website (under Rules) at

10 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology The Examination Committee may, at the student s request, permit a different form of assessment than that indicated by the course manual. Article Registering for interim of other examinations By registering for courses within the Graduate School of Social Sciences, students are also registered for the accompanying examinations and re-sits. Article 5.3 Testing/examination opportunities 1. For every programme component, the student has one opportunity to resit an interim or other examination during the 12-month period from the commencement of the teaching that prepares the student for that examination. The first opportunity for the interim or other examination falls within the teaching period in which that component is offered; the first opportunity to resit that examination is offered before the start of the next academic year. 2. Re-sits and re-writes are only possible for students that have taken part in the original examination or have submitted a paper at the original deadline. 3. If a student cannot do an examination or resit due to circumstances beyond his/her control, the student can request the examination committee for permission to resit the examination at another time. The student needs to prove the relevant circumstances in the request. Before taking a decision, the examination committee will ask the academic orstudy advisor and the relevant lecturer for advice. Article 5.4 Students with a disability 1. Students with a disability may submit a written request to the Registrar to qualify for adaptations while taking interim of other examinations. These adaptations shall accommodate as much as possible the student s individual disability, but may not alter the quality or degree of difficulty of the examination. 2. A recent certificate from a doctor or a psychologist or, in the case of dyslexia, from a registered testing agency (BIG, NIP or NVO) must accompany the request mentioned in paragraph 1. Where possible, this certificate must include an estimate of the degree to which the student s disability is expected to impede his/her study progress. 3. The examination committee decides on requests for adaptations with regard to tests/examinations. For standard adaptations, the Registrar is mandated to make those decisions. Article Oral examinations 1. An oral examination is public, unless the student files an objection to this, or if, in an exceptional case, the examination committee or examiner determines otherwise. 2. An examiner gives an oral examination to only one student at a time, unless the examiner and the students agree otherwise. Article 5.6 Determining and announcing results 1. The examiner determines the result (=mark/grade) of an oral examination as soon as the examination is finished and informs the student accordingly. 2. The examiner determines the result (=mark/grade) of a written or other form of examination component as quickly as possible, in any event within 15 working days of the examination date, and also submits the necessary data to the programme administration so that the results can be registered. In exceptional cases, the programme director can permit deviation from this term. In the event of a resit, the result must be announced at least 10 working days before a possible resit. 3. A student may lodge an appeal against the result with the Examination Appeals Board (Cobex) within six weeks of the announcement of the result. A student may also, within the same time period, submit a request for reassessment to the examiner. A request for reassessment does not affect the time period for lodging an appeal. Students are advised to get in contact with their programme manager and/or the examination committee before lodging an appeal with the Cobex. Article 5.7 Marks/Grades 1. Grades are given on a scale from 1 to 10, with a maximum of one decimal after the point.

11 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology The final assessment of a component is a pass if the student obtains a 5.5 or higher. In the event that only whole numbers are assigned, a 6.0 or higher is a pass. 3. The most recent result determines the final grade. 4. Grades can also be indicated with the measurement: aan verplichtingen voldaan ( avv ) = has fulfilled all requirements/completed or niet aan verplichtingen voldaan ( nav ) = has not fulfilled all requirements/failed. The examiner will only use this measurement if he/she does not consider a numerical grade to be adequate for the way of assessment 5. Students that have registered for a course but do not participate in the examination will receive the grade niet aan verplichtingen voldaan ( nav ). Article Validity period of examinations 1. The validity period of passed Master s examinations is 16 months. The validity period of passed preparatory examinations is one year. 2. Partial examinations lose their validity at the end of the academic year at the latest. 3. In individual cases, the examination committee is authorised to extend the validity period of successfully passed examinations for a period that it determines. 4. For examinations that are no longer part of the current curriculum the examination committee will decide whether or not those examinations can lead to exemptions in the current curriculum. Article Right of inspection 1. In the event of a written examination, and on request, the examiner shall grant the student who took the examination, the right to inspect the assessed work up to 15 working days after the announcement of the result. The student may make copies of the assessed work, or have such copies made, at cost price. Upon request, the examiner can explain the used standards for assessment orally. 2. During the time period mentioned in paragraph 1, the student, who has taken the examination may inspect the questions and assignments of the test/examination in question, and, if possible, the standards on the basis of which the assessment was made. 3. The course manual states the manner in which students can inspect their graded work. In case of inspection/examination discussion in a group session, the individual right to inspection/examination discussion is no longer valid. In case of inspection/examination discussion in a group session, individual inspection can only be arranged through the programme manager under special circumstances. 4. The method used to assess the examination enables the student to verify how the result was determined. Article Exemption 1. In principle, there are no exemptions granted after acceptance into the programme. 2. In special cases and at the written request of the student, the examination committee may exempt the student from taking one or more examination components, if the student: a. has passed a programme component of a university or higher professional education programme that is equivalent in both content and level; b. has demonstrated through his/her work and/or professional experience that he/she has sufficient knowledge and skills with regard to the relevant programme component. The examination committee shall make a decision within 30 working days of receiving the written request. This period may be longer in non-class periods of the academic year. 3. This exemption does not apply to required courses and the Master s thesis. Article 5.11 Fieldwork and Thesis/Master s thesis 1. The thesis advisor and a second reader assess the quality of the final thesis. The final grade is determined by the thesis advisor together with the second reader. 2. The Master s thesis (24 EC) must reflect a thorough understanding of the theories relevant for the thesis topic and must be based on original empirical research. The project is carried out by the student under the supervision of two faculty members, chosen in agreement with the student. The subject of the thesis is to be mutually agreed upon by the student and the academic advisor. 3. The thesis should be composed of between and words. 4. Further requirements for Master s theses are stipulated in a separate Manual for writing a thesis.

12 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology The student is entitled to oral and/or written feedback at regular intervals during the writing up of the thesis proposal, while doing fieldwork and writing the thesis. 6. In principle, candidates are expected to spend a period of 8-10 weeks carrying out their fieldwork. A limited number of fieldwork positions may be made available to students through the institute. 7. Students can only start their fieldwork after approval of their research proposal by the thesis advisor and the academic advisor. To get approval, students need to hand in a thesis proposal form/thesis agreement (available at the GSSS Information Desk, see also 9.). 8. Students that leave for the field without this approval lose their entitlement to thesis supervision and are not eligible for the fieldwork subsidy that is offered by the programme. 9. Students need to be back from the field before the start of the compulsory thesis seminar meetings. 10. Further requirements regarding the fieldwork period are stipulated in a separate Fieldwork Manual/Guide. 11. Students and thesis advisors will sign a thesis proposal form/thesis agreement specifying the rights and duties of the student and the thesis advisors during the thesis project. This document contains, among other things, information on the number of hours of supervision as well as the number of meetings with the thesis advisor students are entitled to. It also includes a deadline for submission of the final thesis. The thesis should be completed no later than 28 June Students that surpass this deadline are no longer automatically entitled to receive supervision other than final grading with a short comment. Students who are not able to submit their final thesis before the second deadline (or retake) of 16 August 2013 have to write a wellmotivated request for extension of the deadline for thesis submission to the Examination committee (to be sent through the registrar). 12. The Master s thesis will be assessed in an evaluation meeting in which the student, the thesis advisor and second reader are present. The thesis advisor and second reader determine the grade of the thesis immediately after the evaluation meeting. This final meeting is obligatory for all students. In case a student, thesis advisor or second reader is abroad at the time of the final evaluation, a Skype meeting will replace the physical meeting. 13. Thesis advisors will use a standard evaluation form, which also specifies the grade. The form will be handed in to the administration. In case of a fail-result, the thesis advisor and the second reader may formulate an additional assignment for the student so that he/she can still complete the thesis with a pass-grade. They may also decide that a fully revised thesis will have to be submitted to fulfil the requirements. They stipulate a deadline for the assignment or resubmission. Article 5.12 Fraud and plagiarism 1. The provisions of the Regulations Governing Fraud and Plagiarism for UvA Students apply in full and form part of the Teaching and Examination regulations. Access this regulation under the programme s website (under Rules) at 2. Electronic detection software programs may be used to detect plagiarism in texts. In submitting a text, a student implicitly consents to the text being entered into the database of the relevant detection program. 3. The following applies as a supplement to the Regulations Governing Fraud and Plagiarism for UvA Students: a. The Master s thesis will be checked electronically for fraud and plagiarism by the first supervisor. Students are obliged to hand in their thesis electronically at the Registrar s Office for archiving. If students fail to hand in an electronic copy of their thesis, no diploma will be handed out. b. All other written assignments and papers can be checked (electronically) for fraud and plagiarism. Students are obliged to cooperate with this. Article 5.13 Final examination 1. The Examination Committee determines the results and date of the final examination after it has established that the student has passed all the examination components. The student can apply for the degree according to the procedure as mentioned in the Rules and Guidelines. 2. The Executive Board sets 12 examination dates per academic year for the final examination of the Master s programme.

13 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology A diploma can only be awarded after the student has satisfied all the requirements, including the payment of tuition fees. 4. Following a reasoned request by a student who qualifies for being awarded a diploma, the Examination Committee may delay setting the date of the final examination. 5. The GSSS will organise several graduation celebrations per academic year. 6. The Examination Committee may award a degree classification (judicium). If the student has shown exceptional competence, the Examination committee may decide to add the cum laude qualification to the diploma. Other degree classifications are added to the diploma supplement. 7. Master s Degree cum laude ( with honours ): a. The examination committee can award the Master s degree with a distinctive classification ( with honours ) if the following requirements have been met: i. curricular grade point average of higher than 8.0 ii. grade for Master s thesis or Research Project of at least 8.0 iii. no curricular grade under 7.0 b. Exam results that are not in the form of a grade are not included in the calculation of the grade point average c. The distinctive classification is not awarded automatically. The student s progress and build-up of grades are taken into account by the examination committee. d. Under exceptional circumstances, the examination committee can decide to award the degree with honours even though not all of the above conditions have been fulfilled. Article Degree The student who passes the final examination of a Master s programme is awarded a Master of Science degree. The degree awarded is stated on the diploma. Article Diplomas and transcripts 1. The examination committee grants a diploma as proof that the student has passed his/her final examination. The examination committee also grants a diploma supplement in English, signed by the chair of the examination committee, indicating the programme components of the examination, the workload and the assessment 2. If a student has successfully passed more than one interim of other examination, but the examination committee cannot grant him/her a diploma, he/she may request and receive from the examination committee a transcript listing, in any event, the interim or other examinations passed. Chapter 6 Study supervision and study progress Article Administration of study progress The dean of the faculty is responsible for the correct registration of the students study results. He/she ensures that the study results are registered in such a way that every student can receive a summary of his/her study results upon request In addition to this, Studieweb/SIS shows the registered assessment of the examination component, whereby every student can view his/her results electronically. Article Academic student counselling Enrolled students are eligible for academic student counselling. The types of academic student counselling available can be found on the school s website. Artikel 6.3 Unsuitability (Judicium abeundi) 1. Based on the provisions of Article 7.42a of the Act, the dean or the Examination committee may, in exceptional cases, ask the Executive Board to terminate or refuse a student s enrolment for a programme, if that student s actions or remarks show that he/she is unsuitable either for practising one or more of the professions for which the programme in question is preparing the student or for the practical preparation for professional practice. 2. If a student is suspected of being unsuitable as described in paragraph 1, the Examination committee or the dean shall institute an inquiry, of which the student shall be informed immediately. The Examination Committeee or the dean shall not issue any recommendation

14 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology without carefully considering the interests involved and giving the student the opportunity to be heard. Chapter 7 Transitional and final provisions Article Hardship Clause In the event of demonstrable extreme unreasonableness and unfairness, the examination committee may permit deviations from the provisions of these regulations in favour of the student. Article Transitional provisions The examination committee shall propose a transitional arrangement, with due regard for Act s provisions regarding examinations and examination components, for students who, on the date these Regulations come into force, has passed one or more but not all of the examination components, and whose interests are being damaged by provisions in these Regulations that deviate from those in older versions. Article Amendments 1. The dean shall establish amendments to these Regulations by independent decision having heard the programmes committee and the examination committee and with due regard for the authority of the relevant advisory bodies. 2. Amendments to these Regulations do not apply to the current academic year, unless they can be reasonably assumed not to damage students interests. Article Publication The dean shall ensure a fitting publication of these Regulations and the rules and guidelines referred to in Section 7.12b of the Act. These Regulations can be accessed at the programme s website (under Rules) at and can be found in the digital course catalogue at Article Effective date These Regulations shall come into force as of 1 September These Regulations replace all earlier versions. Thus drawn up by the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, 31 August 2012 in Amsterdam.

15 Teaching and Examination Regulations Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology Appendix: Curriculum for students who started the master Medical Anthropology and Sociology before September 2012 Article 3.5 Curriculum The curriculum comprises the following: A. General compulsory programme components amounting to 50 credits B. Elective courses amounting to 10 credits A. General compulsory programme components These consist of the following programme components and their accompanying workload: 7. Contemporary Topics in Medical Anthropology and Sociology (10 EC) 8. Theorising Practice, Practising Theory (10 EC) 9. Research Design MAS (7 EC) 10. Fieldwork and Thesis Project (23 EC) B. Elective courses The student may choose one or more elective courses up to a maximum workload of 10 credits. The available electives will be published in the digital course catalogue. The course choice is subject to approval of the Academic Advisor. Students are encouraged to follow regional courses from the list to be published in the digital course catalogue or, with approval of the examination committee, from another university-level Master s programme. Schematic overview: 1 st semester, 1 st block 1 st semester, 2 nd block EC Contemporary Topics in Medical Anthropology and Sociology (10 EC) 10 Theorising Practice, Practising Theory (10 EC) 10 Elective (10 EC) 10 Research Design MAS (7 EC) (runs from 7 November until end of January) 2nd semester, 1st block 2nd semester, 2nd block Fieldwork and Thesis Project (23 EC) 23 Overall total 60