Independent Studies in ALC are available in either culture (ASIAN 499) or language (ASIANLAN 499). They can be taken for variable credit (1-4) depending on the size and scope of the student's proposed plan. Both ASIAN 499 and ASIANLAN 499 qualify for graduate and undergraduate credit.
Independent study courses are intended for students who:
- have exhausted course offerings in the field at UM;
- are interested in specialized topics not regularly offered as part of the department's curriculum
Independent studies may be requested from ALC tenured/tenure-track faculty; students should not be supervised by graduate students or lecturers.
In addition, faculty on leave should not normally supervise independent studies, nor should faculty supervise students on subjects that fall well outside of their areas of specialization, or on subjects covered by regular course offerings in the department or other programs/units.
Eligibility for Independent Study
In order to be considered for an independent study, a student has usually:
- identified a faculty member who has agreed to supervise and evaluate the student's work;
- completed prerequisite coursework or research needed to appropriately embark on the independent study;
- reached sophomore standing or higher;
- proposed study in an area that is not accommodated elsewhere in the curriculum (at least within the student's current remaining time at UM);
- drafted a detailed syllabus with the identified independent study supervisor, which includes all readings, texts, assignments, and expectations/goals of the study.
Minimum Requirements for an Independent Study
Specific requirements for an independent study will be set up by the supervising faculty member but, in general, students registering for an ASIAN/ASIANLAN 499 may be expected to:
- work a minimum of three (3) hours per week per credit hour;
- read thirty (30) pages/1-2 articles or book chapters per week per credit hour;
- produce a final substantial project that summarizes the value of information obtained through the independent study;
- over the course of the term, meet face-to face (in person or virtually) with the faculty supervisor for a minimum of three (3) hours per credit hour total
An independent study proposal form can be found here. Questions regarding the independent study policy or proposal process can be directed to the ALC Student Services Assistant ([email protected]). The form and syllabus should also be submitted to the Student Services Assistant via email.
Proposal forms are due no later than the second week of classes in the term in which the student wishes to enroll. The Student Services Assistant will then send the proposal onto the ALC Curriculum Committee for approval. Approval generally takes around 4 business days. Once approval is granted, the student will be notified via email and issued an override to enroll in ASIAN/ASIANLAN 499.
ALC INDEPENDENT STUDY FORM