After successful completion of the course, students are able to better structure their own process of realizing their diploma, master or doctoral thesis, and to break it down in smaller workpackages.

The aim of this course is to provide an accompanying orientation for improving the process of thesis-writing to all master/diploma and doctoral students who are writing their final thesis at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Culture and Public Space. The facilitation of peer-to-peer learning and debate rounds on salient urban studies issues is an important achievement here. Therefore, semi-public presentations will take place during the first unit of each “Thesis Fenster” - whereas the second unit will feature face-to-face debates between master/diploma or doctoral students and the thesis supervisor(s). 

This course includes active participation in the so-called SKuOR Thesis Fenster (Doctorate Thesis Fenster and Master Thesis Fenster). All ongoing thesis projects which are currently carried out at the Interdisciplinary Center for Urban Culture and Public Space (Research Unit E285-02) will be discussed here (working languages are German, English and Spanish). In addition to the content-relevant aspects of urban research (current phenomena of urban development, public spaces, urban and everyday culture, wider issues in urban studies, etc.), we jointly explore other research issues such as research design, questions, barriers and ethics. Participants will be supported in the creation of work plans. We jointly discuss the setting up of concrete milestones along individual thesis projects. We turn the "huge" thesis project into "tiny little pieces" which can be elaborated and finalised.

Debates about research methods are key ingredients of research designs in empirical urban research and planning theory. Therefore, we will discuss these alongside each respective research project.

Changes in the organisation of this course due to the corona pandemic (updated 08.06.2020):
All Thesis Fenster appointments will be conducted via Go-To-Meeting until further notice and except the last Thesis Fenster on June 25th, which will take place outdoors (more information via email). For further exchange we have established an e-chat via slack to which you all have been invited. In case you have not received an invitation, please write an email to Olivia Kafka.

All students writing their thesis at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Culture and Public Space under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sabine Knierbein or at another institute or university under (internal or external) co-supervision by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sabine Knierbein are expected to regularly present their projects in this course.  Also those interested in a potential supervision by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sabine Knierbein are welcome here. (mail to: olivia.kafka@skuor.tuwien.ac.at)

- 80% of attendance is required

- Active participation in feedback sessions and discussions is required.

- 10-minute presentation of your own topic, including an updated exposé, research plan, work program or chapters submitted in advance at an announced date.

Participation in the privatissimum course is obligatory for all thesis writers registered at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Culture and Public Space under Sabine Knierbein’s supervision. For course registration, please send an email stating your student ID number to olivia.kafka@skuor.tuwien.ac.at.

For master students: You should have ideally finalized most of the courses and have developed a first sketch of your master thesis project ideas and you should have contacted ideally Prof. Dr. Knierbein via personal email prior to attending a thesis fenster.

For doctoral students: You should have ideally contacted Prof. Dr. Knierbein via personal mail prior to visiting the Thesis Fenster.