Honors Independent Studies

(HRS 203 and HRS 204)

If you are self-motivated and enjoy working on your own, an independent study offers you a wonderful opportunity to explore and pursue an academic, career, or other interest of your own in greater depth.  A project in the arts, investigative research in the sciences, field work in the community… the possibilities here are virtually endless.  All that is required from you at the start is an idea.  You or a professor of yours can initiate an independent study and together you will work out a program of study, the time commitment, and the method of evaluation.  And even if you don’t have a particular professor in mind, if there is some question, issue, project, etc. that you would like to pursue on your own, please contact me and we can develop an independent study together for you.

• Procedures for Setting up an Honors Independent Study

• Sample Honors Independent Study Project Proposals

 

Procedures for Setting up an Honors Independent Study

For self-motivated students who enjoy working on their own, an Honors Independent Study offers a wonderful opportunity to explore and pursue an academic, career, or other interest in greater depth.  A project in the arts, investigative research in the sciences, field work in the community… the possibilities here are virtually endless.  All that is required at the start is an idea.  An Honors Independent Study can be initiated by either a student or a professor and together they will work out a program of study, the time commitment, and the method of evaluation, though the Coordinator is always available to assist. 

The following are the basic procedures to be followed for setting up and completing an Honors Independent Study: HRS 203 or HRS 204. (The latter is intended for students who have already completed an independent study and would like to do another one.)

 For the Student

1. Identify a topic or project idea to be developed into a 3-credit independent study.
   

2. From among the full- or part-time faculty, choose a professor who will serve as your mentor for the independent study. Your mentor should be someone you would like to work with and whose knowledge or expertise in the area of your topic will be beneficial to you. If you don’t have a particular professor in mind, the Coordinator will help you find someone to work with. Contact the professor to determine if s/he is interested in working with you, and let the Coordinator know if s/he agrees to do so.
3. In consultation with your mentor, draft a proposal which includes the following: a summary of the project, the objectives and goals, the sorts of activities involved, and the nature of the final product. Plan to spend on average 9 hours/week on your independent study over the course of the semester, and use this figure to help you develop a realistic project proposal. Detailed proposals are approved more quickly and typically result in a more successful independent study experience. To the extent that it is possible, include a weekly schedule of activities. Sample proposals are available to assist you and which may serve as models for your own.
4. When you have completed your proposal, ask your mentor to indicate his or her approval by signing the proposal, and then submit both the signed copy and an electronic copy to the Coordinator.
5. The Coordinator will set up a section of HRS 203 (or 204) for your faculty mentor and complete a drop/add form for you. You can then register for the course, which you will need to do by the deadline for late-start courses.
6. Plan to meet with your mentor periodically throughout the semester to keep him or her informed of your progress and to address any questions or problems you may have. Please keep in mind, though, your mentor’s time commitment will in most instances be quite limited.
7. You will be invited and encouraged to attend and participate in the end-of-semester Honors Studies Roundtable where you will have the opportunity to discuss your project with other students and faculty participating in the Honors program.
8. Your mentor will submit a grade for you upon completion of your project.
9. Upon completion of your project, email a one-paragraph abstract or summary of the project to the Coordinator.

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Honors Independent Study Proposals

• Psychology: Methods to Combat Fraud which Targets Seniors
• History: Women of the Inquisition
• ASL: Theatrical Performance Interpretation for the Deaf
• Business: Race in Sports Management
• Psychology: Educating Homeless Youths
• Computer Science: An Applied Study of PHP and MySQL
• Biology: The Theory of Evolution and its Misconceptions
• Education: Developing ALC Study Skills Component
• Psychology: Theories of Sexuality
• History of Disease
  

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