HO 401 Independent Study Syllabus
HO 402 Independent Study Syllabus
Requirements for HO 401
Requirement for HO 402
Graduating with Honors
Independent Study -- Information for Advisors
MUW Honors College -- Independent Study Handbook

Objective:  The complete Honors Project is intended to be a model of excellence for undergraduate research.  Too often in the past, the project has been viewed by many as an obstacle to be overcome at the last minute before graduation, rather than a manifestation of the highly developed analytical, language, and research skills that the Honors student has attained while at the University.  HO 401/402 offers structure and instruction in the composition of the Honors Project/Proposal.  it is to ensure the quality as well as the timely completion of the proposal.

Expectations:  The student is expected to meet regularly (weekly) with her/his project advisor for guidance in analysis, composition, and research.  The student is expected to submit all drafts of the composition to the project committee and the Honors Director in a timely fashion, as laid out by the schedule below.  The student is personally responsible for meeting all of the designated deadlines for the completion of the project.  All of the assignments must be turned into the entire project committee and the Director of Honors.  The following three forms must be completed and turned in to the Honors Director before the student can be given a grade: 

• The Topic Approval Form
• The Proposal Approval Form, and
• The Project Approval Form.

Schedule for completion of the Proposal:
 

Objective:  The complete Honors Project is intended to be a model of excellence for undergraduate research.  Too often in the past, the project has been viewed by many as an obstacle to be overcome at the last minute before graduation, rather than a manifestation of the highly developed analytical, language, and research skills that the Honors student has attained while at the University.  HO 401/402 offers structure and instruction in the composition of the Honors Project/Proposal.  it is to ensure the quality as well as the timely completion of the proposal.

Expectations:  The student is expected to meet regularly (weekly) with her/his project advisor for guidance in analysis, composition, and research.  The student is expected to submit all drafts of the composition to the project committee and the Honors Director in a timely fashion, as laid out by the schedule below.  The student is personally responsible for meeting all of the designated deadlines for the completion of the project.  All of the assignments must be turned into the entire project committee and the Director of Honors.  The following three forms must be completed and turned in to the Honors Director before the student can be given a grade: 

• The Topic Approval Form
• The Proposal Approval Form, and
• The Project Approval Form.

Schedule for completion of the Projects:
 

The Proposal:  Before beginning the work for the project, the student must submit a written proposal to a committee of three faculty members from that discipline most closely related to the proposed subject matter.  The student chooses an advisor and a reader from the major area.  The second reader is the divisional representative to the Honors Committee.  The proposal will be submitted by a date to be determined by the Honors Director and/or the project advisor.  Under no circumstances may a student receive credit for HO 401 without an approved proposal.  The proposal ? written, submitted and approved ? is the absolute requirement for the credit in HO 401.

Format for the Proposal:  Guidelines for the written proposal have been developed by each division. 

Preliminary Research:  Once the proposal is approved, the student may begin the project in earnest.  There is no absolute standard, however, in the amount of actual research that the advisor requires in HO 401.  In some disciplines, the student may have to develop a bibliography and read many works before starting that project.  If such is the case, then the advisor, after discussing the matter with the student, might establish as the work requirement for HO 401 the compiling of a bibliography and the reading of the necessary works.  The advisor is to ensure that the student completes the preliminary research before the end of the term.  When the proposal has been completed and approved, the advisor should encourage the student to begin composition of the  project as soon as possible.  After discussing with the student the amount of completed research that might reasonably be expected, the advisor should make sure that the student progresses steadily toward the goal established for HO 401.

The Research:  During the second semester of the Independent Research, the student should engage in substantial research, completing the project well before the end of the semester.  The standard for judging the quality of a student's work should be its acceptability as legitimate research in the relevant academic discipline, although the expectation of the advisor should be reasonable.

The Paper:  Before the end of the semester, the student must write a paper based on the independent study proposal.  The paper itself must be written in an acceptable manner in formal, standard English, free of gross writing errors.

Style:  The style used should conform to that typical of the relevant academic discipline (usually MLA or APA style).  The director of the study can best advise the student about the appropriate style as well as ensure that the student follows exactly the format prescribed.  The advisor should carefully proofread the final draft of the paper, making sure that it conforms to the proper style and contains no gross writing errors. 

Length:  The student is obliged to comply with a composition schedule developed by the Honors Director.  Completed projects are due on a date set by the Honors Director and/or the project advisor.  An original copy of the project must be turned into the Honors Director to be retained in the files of the Honors College.

The Oral Presentation:  Approximately two weeks before the end of the second semester of Independent Study (HO 402), the student must make an oral presentation of the research at the scheduled Honors Forum.  Attending this meeting will be the student's peers, the Honors Committee, and the Project Committee.  The presentation should not consist of reading a paper.  Although note cards are permitted, the student is expected to present an oral account of the research project, using visual aids whenever possible.  The student will be limited to ten minutes for the presentation.  The advisor and the student should discuss planes for the oral presentation far enough in advance that the student may prepare adequately for it.  This presentation is relatively a formal affair and should be treated seriously. 

Note:  No credit for HO 402 will be given until a copy of the formal research paper is submitted to the Honors Director and the research is presented orally.

Many current advisors have directed projects previously and are familiar with the program, but they may still have some questions.  This information is intended to describe the Independent Study Program and to delineate the responsibilities of the project advisors.

Keep in mind that the Honors Project is structured like a masters thesis with a committee of three:  an advisor, a reader from the same area of expertise or another filed pertinent to the project, and a reader from the Honors Committee who is responsible for ensuring that the project is appropriate to the Honors College standards.  As with a thesis, the approval forms have to be completed and signed by the entire committee in order for the student to receive a grade.

The syllabus for Independent Study includes a schedule of dates.  It is rigid, but it is intended to avoid hastily thrown together projects and to ensure that advisors; have ample opportunity to influence the research and composition of the student's work.

The topic of the project needs to make an original contribution to scholarship.  The semester length proposal portion of Independent Study is intended to give students the opportunity to complete research in order to determine the originality of their subject.

Creative and performance projects are encouraged.  These projects usually require a short analytical thesis as well as the performance.  The student has to present at the research symposium, whether or not s/he has had a previous performance.  In the past, creative and performance projects have included a photography exhibit, music recitals, and a theatre piece.

The organization and content of the proposal varies according to the discipline, but some standard requirements would be:

1)  a clear statement of thesis or intent,

2)  a summary of previous work completed on related subjects (in other words, an argument for the originality and viability of the subject),

3)  a discussion of the content of the project, including specific examples, and

4)  a bibliography listing primary and secondary sources.

1)  to meet with the student as frequently as necessary,

2)  to synthesize and summarize the contributions and feedback of the other committee members,

3)  to try to evaluate the drafts of the proposal as quickly as possible so that students have ample opportunity for revision,

4)  to urge the researcher to submit every draft of the project and proposal to the entire committee in order to avoid last minute objections, disputes over grades, and/or problems obtaining committee signatures,

5)  to encourage the student to turn in every assignment to the Director as promptly as possible, as indifference to due dates could effect the student's final grade,

6)  to insist on a clearly developed and articulated proposal before s/he approves it (committees members should never let the proposal slide simply because they know what the student intends even though the ideas are not clearly and sufficiently stated), and

7)  to solicit the opinions o other committee members when determining the grade.

The Director appreciates advisor willingness to turn in grades as early as possible.  An e-mail solicitation for grades will be sent;  however,  please do not send grades through e-mail.

Important note about the Research Symposium:  Because students have been so cavalier about ignoring the time limitations (10 minutes) on the presentation, limits are now strictly enforced.  Students will be interrupted at ten minutes.  It helps if the student practices the presentation in advance.

Researchers and faculty are urged to encourage students from their discipline to attend the symposium to hear their classmates and to appreciate the work completed by students in their field.

Please direct criticisms or suggestions about any phase of this process to the Honors Director.

The Honors College is a means of adding depth to an undergraduate education by encouraging curiosity and initiative and by providing an opportunity to apply learning to a significant project.

General Duties and Responsibilities of the Faculty Advisor

Duration of the Study: The faculty advisor for the independent study will direct the student in a project of approximately two semesters duration.  For each of these semesters, the student will register for a three hour course, HO 401, Independent Study I, followed by HO 402, Independent Study II (a total of six credit hours).

Meetings:  During both semesters of the independent study, the faculty advisor should schedule one weekly meeting with the student.  One meeting a week is the minimum, however.  The advisor may decide that more frequent consultations are needed, or the student may request more frequent meetings.  The advisor should use these meetings to discuss problems, to offer advice,  and to evaluate the progress that the student is making toward the completion of the research project.  The weekly meetings are essential to ensure that the student makes satisfactory progress throughout the project.  To be strictly avoided is a last-minute, hastily thrown together project that is not worthy of honors credit.

Grading:  For each semester of the study, the project committee (comprised of an advisor and two readers, one of whom is the appropriate divisional representative from the Honors Committee) will assign midterm and final grades based on the student's performance and the quality of the work completed.  The director of the independent study should consider that the student earns three hours of credit for HO 401 and three hours of credit for HO 402.  If the student has done little or nothing to deserve the credit, s/he should not be assigned a passing grade.  There are no "automatic A's" for either course.  Recognizing the high standards of the Honors College itself, but also setting reasonable goals for the student, the advisor should recommend to the Honors Director the grade the student has actually earned.

Problems and Disputes: If a serious problem concerning the Independent Study develops or if the advisor is unable to continue directing the project, The Director of Honors should be informed immediately.  The Director should also be consulted as a mediator in the case of a dispute between the advisor and the student undertaking the research.  Either the advisor or the student advisee may initiate consultations with the Director of the Honors Program.