HF271 and HF272

Rationale:

Currently, students may do independent study work at the 300-level; typically such work is reserved for juniors and seniors. First-year and sophomore members of the student body who are exceptionally qualified to do independent research with a faculty member would do so in an in-depth fashion at the 200-level. Students would be expected to engage a subject matter with the same depth and commitment as they do in other 200-level Honors courses.

Notes:

This independent study carries variable credit. The student matriculating in the independent study with the consent of the faculty member overseeing the independent study will include in the proposal to the Honors Council the number of credits and the rationale (typically, one hour/week = one credit except in studio art and laboratory science, where two hours/week = one credit).

As with 300-level independent studies, this 200-level opportunity open to first-year and sophomore students will provide an introductory experience in advanced research in any academic discipline at the College. The Honors Council will require the following from students proposing such an experience:

• The project proposal must describe the project coherently and in detail, especially indicating the ways in which the undertaking exercises sophisticated abilities and methodologies.

• The proposal must also make clear why the available honors courses are not suitable for the student proposing HF271/272. The Council does not want students using this special opportunity as a substitute for enrolling in Honors Forum courses. Students will need to demonstrate how the HF Independent Study fits programmatically into their liberal arts education.

• The proposal must include the proposed contact time/week and number of credits, together with a rationale.

• The HF271/272 option may be repeated for credit with a new topic, but only 3 hrs. of HF271/272 may be counted toward the student’s seven hours of honors course work required by the end of the junior year.

• The students who participate in HF271/272 must also participate in a colloquium/symposium arranged by the Honors Council for the sharing of academic processes, challenges, methodologies, and results. Such meetings will typically occur three times during the semester.

• Approval authority for honors credit rests solely with the Honors Council.

• This course option is only for first and second-year students; juniors and seniors may pursue the HF371/372 independent study route.