Southwest Baptist University

Independent Study Guidelines

Department of History & Political Science

 

In order to enrich the curriculum and challenge capable students to develop research abilities, the Department of History and Political Science provides its majors the opportunity for earning up to three hours by means of Independent Study.

The following guidelines as interpreted by the Department (See the SBU Catalog (p. 50)) apply.

  1. Independent Study (4991-3) is to be designed to broaden students' knowledge in their major field by providing directed individual research or study in areas not covered in catalog courses.
    • {The Department interprets this to prohibit an independent study on any topic treated at substantially the same level of complexity by an existing upper level course.}
  2. These studies are limited to juniors and seniors who have at least a 2.75 grade point average in their major field.
    • {The Department advises applicants with less than a "B" average in all course work to take regular courses.}
  3. At least one-half of the course work required for a major must be completed prior to enrolling for an independent study course.
  4. A maximum of three semester hours may be earned by independent study in any major field.
    • {A student may propose three hours all at once on a single topic or break it up into different one or two hour studies during different semesters or terms.}
  5. Students have full responsibility for initiating (in consultation with the supervising professor) the proposal, for continuing the study, and for completing all the work for the course.
  6. As a part of the application process the students must do preliminary planning and complete an "Independent Study Proposal" form.
    • {More on the "Proposal" form and its attachments, below.}
  7. The "Independent Study Proposal" form must have the approval of the project supervisor, the department chairman and the college dean.
  8. Students may enroll for an Independent Study within the regular enrollment period (through the first two weeks of the semester) and only after the "Independent Study Proposal" has been approved.
    • {The Department recommends that a student prepare her / his proposal and get it approved by the Department well in advance of the beginning of the semester they plan to enroll in the course.}

The official "Independent Study Proposal" form must be secured from the office of the Dean of the College. The following items must be prepared and attached to it:

  1. A description of the course of study.
  2. An outline of the procedures to be followed in the study.
  3. A tentative course calendar with completion target dates.
  4. Guidelines to be followed in grading the study.
  5. A list of resources to be used in the study.

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