Independent Study Courses

Department of Philosophy

The following policy is in effect as of Fall, 2005.

Independent Study Courses include PHIL 601, Research; and 605, Reading and Conference.

1. If a student plans to register for an independent study course (see the list above), she or he must complete an “Independent Study Agreement” and submit signed copies to the instructor and department office. The Office Manager will enter registration authorization. The student still must register through DUCKWEB.

Note: Ph.D. candidates do not need to complete the independent study form to register for Dissertation Credits (PHIL 603) but must complete the purple permission-to-register form.

2. For “Reading and Conference” courses, students should plan to meet with the instructor for at least one hour per week for every four credit hours registered. A two credit registration, for example, would involve at least five hours of meetings during a term. In addition to specified readings, in most cases instructors will also assign some written work.

Research courses, in general, should involve a larger written component though they needn’t involve as many meeting. A four-hour course, for example, might involve four hours of meetings to discuss the student’s work during the term.

3. In most cases, independent study courses should be taken on the P/NP grade option. Regardless of the grade option, instructors should provide a clear statement of what will be required for the course and how each requirement will relate to the final grade.

4. In most cases, graduate students cannot use Research or Reading and Conference courses to satisfy Distribution Requirements. Exceptions must be arranged in advance with the instructor and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Independent Study Agreement Form