Students
The Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana has prepared guidelines for the ethical, safe, and responsible use of artificial intelligence in study, research, and teaching, with an emphasis on academic integrity. Link (only in Slovene)
In seminar courses, we primarily pursue the following objectives:
- deepening knowledge of selected content or topics
- developing skills in methodologically sound academic writing — a seminar paper should be understood as an exercise in writing a scholarly text (this includes proper in-text referencing, citation, coherent argumentation of theses, and a final reference list, etc.)
- practicing oral presentation in front of peers and developing skills for engaging the audience
developing the ability to confidently present and defend one’s professional opinions and positions based on insights gained through the study of academic literature
I. Structure of the Seminar Paper
A seminar paper generally consists of four main sections: introduction, main body, conclusion, and reference list. If applicable, appendices should be added at the end. The structure may differ if specified by the course instructor.
Introduction
In the introduction, define as precisely as possible the problem you will address. If appropriate and meaningful, also explain why you chose the particular topic.
Main Body
The main body is devoted to the discussion of the selected topic. The use of appropriate (scholarly) literature is mandatory — it is through summarizing and citing literature that you will present the content of the topic.
References must be cited in-text, immediately after the summary or quotation, in parentheses including the author’s surname, year of publication, and page number (example: Kalin 2000, p. 12).
If referring to a general idea of an author or to a thesis discussed throughout a longer text, the page number may be omitted: (Kalin 2000).
Secondary citations should be indicated as follows: (Adorno in Kroflič 1997, p. 203).
For works with more than two authors, list only the first author followed by “et al.” (e.g., Resman et al. 2003).
If multiple works by the same author from the same year are cited, add letters in alphabetical order after the year (e.g., Resman 2003a, p. 109).
This does not mean that the paper should be a collage of quotations and summaries.
A crucial part of the seminar paper consists of your own interpretations of the material you summarize. You are expected to position yourself in relation to the referenced author’s views:
Do you agree or disagree?
- Why?
- Do you think differently?
- What arguments support your thesis?
Be critical, but ensure that your critique is grounded in facts, professional references, and consistently developed arguments. Maintain a clear conceptual “red thread.” If you find it necessary to include material that would divert the main discussion, place it in a footnote at the bottom of the page.
Tables and figures (graphs, diagrams, etc.) must be labeled and titled. Place them where they are contextually appropriate and refer to them in the text by number (e.g., see Table 1). If a table or figure is taken from a source, the exact reference must be provided directly below it.
Conclusion
In the conclusion, restate the key findings reached in the main body. If you present critical perspectives, explain how you would propose a better solution and what you would change. Be constructive: criticism is often easy; offering a better alternative is considerably more demanding.
Reference List
The reference list is an essential part of the seminar paper. It must include, in alphabetical order by author surname, only the sources cited anywhere in the text. Sources not directly referenced in the text should not be included.
The purpose of the reference list is to allow the reader to verify the sources cited. Proper referencing also reflects respect for copyright and intellectual property principles.
II. Presentation of Seminar Papers and Discussion
If you are presenting your seminar paper to your peers, please observe the following:
- Within the time available, present the key findings and highlight the main theses addressed in your paper. Your presentation should be concise yet engaging.
- Try to encourage your peers to reflect on the content you are presenting. You may prepare notes to guide your oral presentation, but dry reading from a written text is not permitted. Your presentation should demonstrate that you have engaged deeply with the topic. Prepare several key points that will serve as a starting point for discussion.
- You may prepare supporting materials (theses or key points) for the audience and use slides or other audiovisual (AV) materials.
III. Additional Requirements
Title page must include: the title of the paper; names and surnames of the authors; year of study; study programme; name of the Faculty of Arts department; semester and year of submission; name and surname of the supervisor.
Length: as agreed with the course instructor.
Font: readable typeface, size 11 or 12, line spacing 1.5.
Number of sources: at least three. Internet sources may also be used; foreign literature is recommended.
Before presenting your seminar paper to your peers, attend consultation hours if required by the course instructor or seminar leader. If the paper is prepared jointly with others, individual authorship must be clearly indicated.
As a rule, the final version of the seminar paper must be submitted one week before the presentation, or as agreed with the course instructor.
All forms and guidelines for the preparation of the Master’s thesis are available on the Regulations and Official Documents webpage, in the section for second-cycle (Master’s) study programmes.
In addition to the provisions of the Faculty of Arts Master’s Thesis Regulations, the following guidelines must also be observed when preparing a Master’s thesis.
Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis Proposal
The structure of the Master’s thesis proposal must include the following elements:
- Title and possible subtitle.
- Theoretical framework of the thesis.
- The main research question or central thesis, supported by key literature cited throughout.
- The basic methodological approach, and in empirical theses a more detailed description of the methodology.
- The proposed structure of the Master’s thesis.
- Key literature and sources.
The student describes the theoretical framework of the research or thesis and defines the research problem or thesis (a thesis consists of claims relating to general conceptual or theoretical issues, which are demonstrated through theoretical analysis and argumentation). The research problem or thesis must be substantively justified and argued on the basis of relevant foundational sources. The student should also indicate which key concepts and terms will be used.
If the thesis includes empirical research, the student must present the design of the empirical part. One or more main research questions should be formulated, along with basic hypotheses. Hypotheses are meaningful assumptions about the phenomenon under study and are tested through empirical research. They must be formulated clearly and concisely. This is followed by an explanation justifying the selection of research questions and hypotheses.
Within the methodological plan, the student must also define and briefly present:
- the research method(s),
- the sample or target population,
- data collection method(s) and planned instruments,
- data processing procedures.
If the thesis does not include empirical research, the student must present in greater detail the relevant sources and theoretical concepts forming the basis of the research, define and justify the thematic units of the theoretical analysis, and describe the main methodological approach.
The student must also present a planned structure of the Master’s thesis in the form of a provisional table of contents, outlining the anticipated thematic units, chapters, and subchapters.
At the end of the proposal, the student must include a list of key domestic and international literature and relevant sources.
Guidelines for Writing the Master’s Thesis
In preparing the thesis, the student must follow the content and structure of the approved proposal.
During the writing process, the student must cooperate continuously with the supervisor and present results of the developing text (by individual sections or chapters, depending on the agreement with the supervisor). If the student does not collaborate with the supervisor during the process — even if submitting a final version — the supervisor may withdraw from supervision.
If the thesis includes empirical research, the student must submit for the supervisor’s review (prior to conducting the research) an expanded description of the research problem, research questions, hypotheses, and the methodological plan, including research instruments. If the supervisor determines that a more detailed methodological review is necessary, the student will be referred to a methodology specialist.
When the Master’s thesis reaches its final stage, it is generally reviewed by the members of the defense committee before submission into the VIS system.
Defense Committee and Thesis Defense
The committee for the Master’s thesis defense is appointed at a meeting of the Department Council. The committee includes the supervisor, who also proposes a second member, while the third member is selected randomly.
In the case of a jointly prepared Master’s thesis, the supervisor proposes the second member from the Department, and the third member comes from another Department.
With the supervisor’s consent, the candidate may register for the thesis defense and submit the required number of copies of the Master’s thesis by the first day of the month scheduled for defenses. There are no defenses between July 15 and August 20.
Evaluation
In the final evaluation of the Master’s thesis and its defense, the committee primarily considers:
- the breadth and depth of the theoretical foundation;
- the methodological appropriateness of the thesis;
- familiarity with domestic and international literature;
- analytical thoroughness;
- independence, initiative, originality, and creativity demonstrated during thesis development;
- knowledge of the broader field related to the thesis.
Length
The thesis generally comprises between 70 and 120 pages.
Graphs, Tables, and Figures
Graphs, tables, and figures (diagrams, etc.) must be labeled and numbered. Titles are placed above or below each graph, table, or figure, consistently throughout the thesis. Graphs, tables, and figures should be positioned where they are contextually relevant and must also be cited in the text by number (e.g., see Table 1). If a table or figure is taken from literature, the precise source must be provided directly beneath it, in accordance with citation rules.
Citations and Reference List
The student must follow the department’s rules for citing and referencing sources consistently.
The Department Policy
1. What is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s work or ideas as your own, without properly acknowledging the original source. It is an act contrary to academic integrity. In the context of student obligations at the Department of Educational Sciences, plagiarism is considered a violation when a student submits their work for evaluation, which requires appropriate measures. Plagiarism can take various forms and scales.
In the context of written student assignments, it often involves:
- improper copying or paraphrasing from the internet with only minor changes (e.g., rewording), or
- translation or adaptation of a work created by another student.
2. How Can Plagiarism Be Avoided?
To avoid committing plagiarism, it is essential to provide proper acknowledgment (citation, referencing, or summarizing) whenever you:
- quote someone else’s words verbatim;
- summarize or refer to someone else’s work, except when discussing widely known or generally accepted ideas;
- reproduce other types of content such as tables, figures, or photographs.
To prevent unintentional plagiarism, you can follow these tips:
- Keep accurate records of sources while taking study notes. Use quotation marks wherever you quote someone else’s words directly, even if it is only a part of a sentence or phrase.
- Paraphrase the content you have read in your own words; avoid merely rewording a few words in a sentence.
- How to properly cite sources: Guidelines for citing sources in academic writing vary between disciplines. Within a single paper, a consistent citation style must be maintained.
3. Measures in Case of Plagiarism at the Department
If a student submits an assignment (bachelor’s or seminar paper) that the professor identifies as plagiarized, the professor determines the measure according to the extent of plagiarism — the work may be rejected or given a failing grade.
In the case of a seminar paper, which is a prerequisite for taking an exam, a student may only take the exam in the following academic year.
If the professor determines that the violation is severe, a disciplinary procedure will be initiated at the Faculty.
Students at all three levels of study have the opportunity to participate in study exchanges, allowing them to gain knowledge and experience at foreign universities.
1. Erasmus+
Exchanges are regularly organized within the Erasmus+ program. Information on application conditions and procedures, as well as on the universities available for student selection, is accessible on the Faculty of Arts International Office website.
Students of the Department must also obtain approval from the course instructors for all courses included in the study agreement. Students are asked to complete the relevant form and submit it to the instructors for signatures. Once all signatures are obtained, the departmental coordinator will sign the study agreement.
Departmental coordinator for international exchanges: Dr. Marjeta Šarić
2. CEEPUS
In addition to the Erasmus+ program, various other calls for applications (CEEPUS) are published annually (coordinator: Dr. Marko Radovan), which also allow students to study abroad. Information about study opportunities and scholarships for studying abroad can be obtained from CMEPIUS.
