Independent Study for AADS follows Duke University's Independent Study guidelines. Independent Studies can count toward the five course requirements of the AADS minor. Note, however, that no more than one Independent Study may be counted toward the minor. Independent Study may count towards the minor only if it covers topics not covered by the regular course offering. Priority will be given to AADS minors although other students will not be excluded.
To pursue an Independent Study you should first identify an AADS core faculty member who is willing to advise you on the subject that interests you. Together you should develop a course proposal — use the AADS 393 form for Research Independent Study and the AADS 391 form for Non-Research Independent Study. The application should include a description of the project and the end product. You and the professor should agree on a brief syllabus for the course that includes the following information:
- Expected frequency or number of meetings during the semester (not less than an hour every other week for research classes, or an hour a week for non-research classes).
- Milestones that you will be expected to reach during the semester and the rough timing of the milestones. For example, you may be expected to deliver an outline of a paper roughly four weeks into the semester, a first draft roughly eight weeks into the semester, and the final draft of the paper by the last day of classes of the semester.
- The grading scheme for the independent study, detailing what weights will be placed on the various milestones in the course. The grading scheme should also place some weight on the student-faculty meetings.
Once the application is complete, submit it to the AADS Director of Undergraduate Studies for approval