Indigenous Studies (INST) 493

Overview

INST 493: Individual Directed Research in Government and Laws is similar to most research projects in courses: they are student – initiated courses that are based on a contracted study arrangement worked out between an individual student (or group of students), an approved research supervisor and Athabasca University. They are advanced courses, intended for students who have completed one or more of the foundation courses
(INST 348, 377 and 426).

Many adults who wish to improve or upgrade their education find that regular university courses are too restrictive in their content, pacing or grading. Directed research courses are more flexible. In directed research courses, students may learn what they want to learn; such courses may allow students to do things that no one else has done before. Directed research courses let students learn using their own learning styles, and working at their own rates. They allow students to continue at their jobs, and may even encourage them to pursue their jobs in their learning activities. Directed research courses encourage development of both intellectual and technical skills.

Outline

A Directed Research in Government and Laws project may involve any combination of library or field research, as agreed to by the student and the project supervisor in a “learning contract” among the students, the supervisor and Athabasca University. The learning contract states what is to be done in the Directed Research in Government and Laws project, how and when it will be done, and how it will be evaluated. Although the University may provide some help, students are expected to obtain (and pay) the materials used in their project.