ETSU Division of Theatre

Independent Study Course Requirements

Each independent study course undertaken should be of such a nature that the finished result can be submitted as one of the following:

· A paper with joint faculty-student authorship for presentation at a regional or national professional meeting, or

· A paper for publication in an appropriate professional journal / magazine, or

· An artistic creation presented to an audience, or

· A paper of professional form and style or artistic creation submitted to the theatre faculty.

The decision of which of the above is most appropriate will be determined by the student's independent study faculty supervisor and should be based on the content and scope of the study. A one-semester project will carry one (1), two (2), or three (3) hours credit as approved by the division.

A student requesting an independent study course must present a written draft proposal to a faculty member who is be asked to supervise the project. The faculty member must then agree to sponsor the project. The student, working with his/her faculty sponsor must then prepare a final proposal. The final proposal must include the following:

1. A detailed statement of the project, its objectives and justification for requesting to register for an independent study.

2. A set of target deadlines for important milestones in the project.

3. A plan for interfacing with the faculty supervisor (e.g., weekly meetings at / for specified times).

4. A detailed list of factors to be considered in determining a grade. This list should include all reports (verbal or written) to be made, and other important factors along with target dates for completion (see item #2). Weights of each factor may be listed at the faculty supervisor's discretion. The list should be in the form of a check-list on which the faculty supervisor can initial each step as it is completed and provide comments as needed.

5. The venue in which the paper or artistic creation will be presented.

**** Approval of the Independent Study by a majority of the entire Theatre faculty is needed if faculty, other than the student’s sponsor, are needed to complete the project or if other Division of Theatre resources are required to complete the project. That approval must take place before the project can be approved and the student is allowed to register for the course.

After the project is approved, the student may register for the course. In accordance with the approved schedule, the student will present oral and / or written preliminary reports to the faculty advisor. These reports can assist the student in identifying potential problems or areas needing improvement, before excessive time and effort have been expended.

C: Independent Study Course Requirements starting July 2002