Part One: Course Pamphlet

What Is an Independent Study Course?

Some students who wish to focus on specific topics or critical issues may do so by enrolling in an independent study course. Sometimes students have extensive work experience or previous education that they would like to draw on in related academic studies. At other times they are keenly interested in a topic not available in the current course offerings. Independent study courses are designed to respond to the individual student’s interests, experience and knowledge. Independent study courses are flexible. Individual students or groups of students may want to focus on a particular aspect of the human services sector; such courses may allow students to complete academic work that is original, innovative, and uniquely challenging. Courses such as this one along with Communications 451 and Communications 452, Criminal Justice 487, Human Services 433, Human Services 455 and Indigenous Studies 390/391 encourage the further development of intellectual, critical and analytical skills. Upon completion students will have produced a substantial piece of work that may be additionally valuable in continuing their studies or enhancing their employment and promotion prospects. Successful completion of independent study courses provides strong evidence of students’ capacity to learn effectively on their own, to work independently, manage their time effectively, and produce a finished piece of research. These skills are highly valued in both professional and academic life.

With the help of a professor or project supervisor, students will produce a well-planned design to answer a specific research question. Together, the student or students and the project supervisor work out a schedule for completing various aspects of the project, and determine how the several parts will be evaluated to produce a finished piece of work and final grade. In most cases three pieces of work are submitted for grading.