PHD-READING Apparatus: Reading (Autumn 2025)

Facts about the course

ECTS Credits:
7
Responsible department:
The Oslo School of Architecture and Design
Course Leader:
Tim Ainsworth Anstey
Lecture Semester:
Autumn and Spring
Teaching language:
English
Study level:
Doctoral degree level
Duration:
½ year
Reading list (Leganto)

The course is connected to the following study programs

  • PhD Programme

Course description

The 'Apparatus: Reading' course ensures the necessary depth and breadth of academic knowledge in order to secure a high academic standard in the final PhD thesis. The content of the course, in combination with the individual work on the thesis, provides a solid foundation for generating original academic knowledge in order to make a substantial contribution to a discipline or area of professional practice. The candidates will gain knowledge of the apparatus that surrounds formalized research: validating research as research (systems of authority including referencing and peer review); structuring research (in terms of research questions and activities); research design (theory and methods of humanities and/or social sciences); and research mediation (communicate ideas to specialized and non-specialized audiences.) The course is organized through dialogue-driven seminars/workshops in which the discussions centre on each candidate’s research topics, methods, and challenges.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

After completion of the Apparatus course the candidate:

  • can evaluate strengths and limitations of adequate research designs in their own research endeavours, and to actively assess the design choices, and their implications, in research conducted by peers.
  • applies knowledge to demonstrate authoritative judgement, adaptability, and responsibility as an independent scholar or leading practitioner.
  • can develop, adapt, and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice.

Skills

After completion of the Apparatus course the candidate:

  • masters academic reference systems, citations, annotated bibliography, and literature review.
  • can formulate logical and compelling written arguments in a well-structured text.
  • applies skills to demonstrate scholarly autonomy and responsibility as an expert and leading practitioner or scholar.
  • identifies relevant concerns in research ethics.

Teaching

The course is organized through dialogue-driven seminars/workshops in which the discussions centre on each candidate’s research topics, methods, and challenges.

Compulsory Activities

Teaching occurs in six mandatory workshops, each with a specific theme. Students must participate in the workshops, complete the assignments and join the final presentation day.

Assignments

Preparation of Reading list. Minimum 50 titles by January 14, 2026

Preparation of Annotated bibliography. Minimum 25 titles by January 14, 2026

Preparation of Literature review/theoretical framing by April 30, 2026

Presentation of Research Design (final presentation), May 7 2026

Examination

The compulsory activity is approved by the course coordinator and an external sensor. The course is evaluated pass or fail.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 2:31:11 PM