Students in H&S can undertake independent work to pursue an academic topic in greater depth than the coverage of the topic in a class, or else to pursue original research either in the field, in archives, or in the laboratory. These Independent Study or Fieldwork and Research opportunities are offered for credit through specific H&S departments and programs (consult the course catalog for details).
An Independent Study is a for-credit course option in which students can engage in formal, academic study, under the guidance of a faculty sponsor, to explore topics that are not covered in the regular curriculum; in other words, this option may not be used in lieu of enrolling in a regularly offered course. Typically, an independent study requires students to produce a substantial work, often a written paper, as the final product that will be evaluated for a grade.
Fieldwork and Research is a for-credit course option in which students design and execute an academic research project that takes them to archives for primary sources, into the field, or into the laboratory. Students are expected to conduct this research independently, with guidance from a faculty sponsor. Typically, fieldwork and research independent courses require students to produce a substantial paper or report on the outcomes of the research.
Independent Study and Fieldwork and Research course options require approval in advance. Students must submit a design statement and application form (also available in Word format and in the Dean’s office, 201 Muller) for approval before the semester they are undertaken, or, if this is not possible, no later than the end of the second week of the semester in which the work will be carried out. Because the approval process requires input and signatures from the faculty sponsor, the student’s advisor, the chair of the faculty sponsor’s department, and the assistant dean, students are advised to begin the application process well in advance. In addition, students enrolled in degree programs in other Schools at IC must get the signature of their dean, prior to submitting the application to the assistant dean of H&S. Late applications will not be accepted.
Students who plan to enroll in for-credit independent study or fieldwork/research options during the summer must also submit a design statement and application form to the Assistant Dean in H&S at least two weeks in advance of the summer deadline. The deadline for summer course enrollment is established by the Division of Graduate and Professional Studies (607-274-3143); please contact that office for details.
For more information, contact Assistant Dean Stacia Zabusky (607-274-3102) or Diane Green (607-274-3102).
H&S Independent Study, Fieldwork, and Research Application Form (Word format)