Independent Study/Projects
Independent Project (COM 495) is an undergraduate course with hands-on activity and summary report.
Independent Study (COM 499) undergraduate-level or COM 590 graduate-level) is a program of individualized research.
Procedures
Registration
What is an Independent Project or Study?
These options provide an opportunity for students to design their own course by selecting a specific topic related to communication, researching ideas or developing activities, and reporting on what they find.
What are topics of recent Independent Projects?
- Developing a public relations campaign for a client
- Radio voice-overs with digital equipment
- Producing or editing a television documentary
- Designing websites
What are topics of recent Indendent Studies?
- Credibility, public relations, and sports
- Crisis communication
- Group interaction
- Sports information
- Public relations and entertainment
- Advertising and ethnic minorities
- Public relations and litigation law
- Creative problem solving and public relations
- Public relations in Italy
- Comparisons of U.S. and Japanese communication
- Intercultural/international communication
- Wiccan communication patterns
What kind of work will be expected of students?
Together with a faculty member, the student devises a research/writing/activity program appropriate for the topic. For an independent project, the student develops a plan and performs activities, then reports on their implementation and results. These activities would generally include both secondary research (books, articles, online resources) and primary research (interviews).
Where do independent projects and studies fit in the student audit sheet?
COM 495/499 is an upper-level Communication major elective; it may also serve as an upper-level All College elective. On the graduate level, COM 590 is a Communication elective. Students must have a GPA of 2.0 to register for COM 495/499.
How many credits can I receive?
COM 495 Independent Project may be taken for 1-3 credit hours. COM 499 Independent Study may be taken for 3-6 credit hours
How much time should a student expect to give to an Independent Project or Study?
Plan on spending at least as much time on this course as for any other three-credit upper-division elective in your major. Do not take this course for an easy time; take it because you want the flexibility and challenge of independent guided learning.
What is the role of the academic supervisor?
Students must have a faculty supervisor willing to work with them in order to do an Independent Project or Study. (Note: this is not necessarily the same person as the faculty member who serves as academic adviser to the student.) Faculty supervisors work with the student by helping to refine the topic, giving continuous guidance throughout the research and writing phases of Independent Studies or the action phase of Independent Projects, and providing final critique and evaluation.
How much supervision will students receive?
The faculty member will offer continuing suggestions and feedback, but students are responsible for their own week-to-week progress. Students provide progress reports on their research and activity.