• Students will work with the instructor to assemble a group of texts that will allow students to meet the objectives and specifications of the course. No specific texts are required.

• Guided investigation of a topic not addressed by regularly scheduled courses.  Students must propose a detailed plan of readings, articulating precise learning objectives, and secure the written consent of both a supervising instructor and of the department chair.
• Not more than one (1) Independent Study may count toward the major in English without the chair's permission.
• Prerequisites: ENGL 1101 and 1102.
• A further specific description pertaining to this section of the course may be added.

Course Goals

• Depending on the proposed area of inquiry, students will achieve appropriate and specific learning outcomes as established contractually with a supervising instructor.
•  Students will recognize how their primarily self-directed and self-taught investigation complements their learning in other courses taken within the major.
• Students will demonstrate in both oral and written work a discipline-specific critical facility through convincing and well-supported analysis of related material.
• Students will demonstrate their command of academic English and the tenets of sound composition by means of thesis-driven analytical prose.
• Students will learn to use discipline-specific computer technologies related to the study of language such as listservs, word processing, and internet research.

Program Goals

• This course fulfills one of the departmental requirements for the completion of the English major.
• Students will develop the analytical, oral and written skills to pursue graduate study or careers in teaching, writing, business and a variety of other fields.
• Students will be able to define and pursue independent research agendas.
• This course contributes to the program goal of equipping students with a foundation in literary history and the issues surrounding literary study in contemporary culture.
• This course broadens students' desire and ability to take pleasure in their encounter with literature.

• To be determined by instructor.

• To be determined by instructor.
• Students will display their command of academic English and of the tenets of  sound composition by means of thesis-driven analytical prose, including at least ten pages of research-based writing.

• Departmental plagiarism policies
• Other policy statements specific to this class should be included on the syllabus.
• A detailed calendar of readings and assignments should be made available to the class at the first class meeting. A copy should be posted electronically and kept on file in the English department office.
• Students should be expected to come to class, prepared and able to participate.
• MLA style should be emphasized and required on out-of-class essays.