Independent Study Evaluation and Grading

It is expected that throughout the term, written draft of both junior and senior I.S. projects should be submitted to your advisor for comments/editing. Due dates: Junior I.S.: you and your advisor will negotiate a final due date for your I.S. (normally this date is the last week of the term). You will need to submit one copy of your Junior I.S. to your advisor. Your advisor will read and grade the Junior I.S. Senior I.S.: is due the Monday following Spring Break, when you will turn in two bound copies of your senior I.S. to the registrar.

The department chair, in consultation with your advisor, determines who the second reader for your senior I.S. will be. In the case of double majors the second reader is your advisor in the other major. The second reader consults with your advisor in the grading and evaluation of your I.S. text and is present at your oral exam.

Oral Exam: Your one hour oral exam is scheduled by your advisor for some time in late March to mid-April. You will receive at least three questions in advance from your advisor to help you prepare. In the oral exam, both readers will ask you a series of questions about your research. (This exam is factored into your final I.S. grade.) Then you will be excused; they will assign your grade; you will be invited back in and told the results that day. (Note: the procedure for notification of final grade may vary for double majors.)

A standard departmental I.S. Evaluation form will be completed, and mailed to you within a week. This form has four categories:

1. Content: relevance of topic, quality of argument/thesis
2. Sources: quality and quantity of sources and knowledge of available literature/data
3. Form: writing style, proper citation forms, transitions between chapters
4. Oral Exam: your ability to defend your work, to discuss the implications of your ideas beyond the textual product.

Honors is the highest grade possible, followed by Good, then Satisfactory, and a failing grade is No Credit. Your oral exam will not be scheduled if your written work is below Satisfactory.