Independent Study
SLN #: 40080Course Prefix: LAW-781
Course Section: 1001
Credit Hours: 1
Instructor(s):
Course Books: View List of Books
Course Description:
Hours Per Credit:
Independent study projects must meet the quantum of work requirements expected from students enrolled in a regular course taken for the same number of credits. The strong presumption is that an independent study project will be for only 1 credit. Only in rare or unusual circumstances will permission be granted for an independent study project to qualify for more than 1 credit. Students seeking more than 1 credit bear the burden of demonstrating in their proposal that their project warrants more than 1 credit. If a student has signed up for a 1- credit project and later believes that the quality and quantum of work warrant a second credit, the student must overcome the strong presumption that only 1 credit should be awarded and must obtain consent from both the supervising faculty member and the dean’s designee. For paper projects, simply meeting the stated minimum word requirement for a 2-credit paper alone is not sufficient to qualify for an additional credit.
Requirements for Written Work Product:
The typical independent study project results in a single, fully-developed paper. Faculty members may set a minimum length for this paper based on the complexity of the subject, the existing volume of literature on the topic, the number of redrafts required to complete the assignment, and the originality of the student’s work product. Although faculty retain some discretion with regard to minimum paper length, past practices suggest that a 1-credit project should yield a paper of at least 6,250 words (including footnotes). In rare cases where 2
credits are sought, the project should yield a paper of at least 10,000 words. All independent study papers should undergo at least one significant rewrite after
review by the advising faculty advisor. Students should expect to receive no more than two rounds of substantive feedback from their faculty advisor on their projects before submitting a final draft for a grade, though faculty members may agree to do more.
Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 1
Graduation Writing Requirement: Yes, With Instructor's Approval*
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: Yes, With Instructor's Approval*
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Note: Only one of the above listed requirements can be fulfilled with this course.
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Prerequisite: Approval by Dean's designee and faculty supervisor
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Final Exam Given: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: Yes
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies
Teaching Method: In Person
* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.