Guidelines for Independent Study in English (ENG 390/391)
Expectations concerning the project
The student will normally initiate the selection of topic. That is, the motive for doing independent study is to pursue a project that cannot be undertaken within the standard curriculum, not simply to remedy a deficiency of credits. Suitable projects will often grow out of coursework that students have undertaken with the relevant faculty member, but cover material outside of the current available course offerings.
The project should be at least comparable to a 300-level English course in the amount and rigor of work required.
As a W course, an Independent Study must result in either: 1) 5000 words of writing that have been revised into final form; or, 2) 10,000 words of writing total, which would include all rough and final drafts, revisions, and informal writing. Students will typically exceed this requirement since the project is intended to pursue a topic in considerable depth. The writing will normally require extensive use of both primary and secondary sources.
Although the student and instructor should schedule regular meetings (at least every two weeks), the student is expected to work independently for the most part.
Responsibilities of the student
A student wishing to pursue independent study must consult with the prospective instructor, then submit via email a proposal including a 500-word prospectus describing the goals of the project and an annotated bibliography of at least three sources. The proposal is due April 10th for independent studies in the fall and November 10th for the spring.
No later than the first day of classes, the student should submit a tentative project schedule and a full bibliography to the specifications of the instructor.
The student should devote to the project at least the amount of time taken by meetings and out-of-class work for a typical 300-level English course: ten or more hours per week.
A draft of the paper (if there is to be only one paper) should be submitted to the instructor well before the end of classes. Specific deadlines will be set by the instructor and should be conscientiously observed.
Responsibilities of the instructor
Normally an instructor is not expected to direct more than two projects (independent study and/or honors) in any semester.
Immediately after accepting an independent study project, the instructor should email the Office of the Registrar to request a section of ENG 390/391, providing the student’s name and L-number.