Proposal for Changes to Program Requirements
Individual Studies Program
Contents:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
What is the Individual Studies Program?
Rules for Individual Studies
Guidelines for Individual Studies
Program Students and Faculty Mentors
The IVSP Faculty Board
Background
1
4
6
7
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Section I
What is the Individual Studies Program?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Description of the Program
Historical Development
The Staff and Faculty of IVSP
IVSP Curricula
A. Description of the Program
The Individual Studies Program (IVSP) is a degree-granting academic program
under the direction of the Office of Undergraduate Studies. The program allows
students to create new interdisciplinary curricula leading to the Bachelor of Arts
or Bachelor of Science degree. Students draw primarily from the University of
Maryland’s course offerings to form an academic concentration not otherwise
available to them at the institution.
Students must seek the guidance and approval of a faculty mentor prior to
having their prospectus reviewed by the Individual Studies Faculty Review
Board. The Board has the option to accept the proposals as they are written,
accept them with contingent changes, or reject them. If the proposal is rejected,
in most cases students have the option to reapply after making changes to the
proposal. Once approved, the courses agreed upon by the Faculty Review
Board become the basis for the student’s major requirements. These listed
requirements from numerous academic departments, along with the CORE
general education requirements, are analogous in most ways to the academic
requirements given to students who select from the University’s traditional
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majors. However, each student is required to design a unique program of study
and defend it in order to be a part of IVSP.
Individual Studies students must complete a senior project and are encouraged
to use internships or independent studies with faculty to supplement their work in
the classroom. While IVSP programs are never vocational in nature, drawing
from real-life experience as a supplement to the academic curriculum is generally
encouraged. These projects often serve as a way for the students to develop
academic connections among the multiple disciplines involved in their programs.
B.
Historical Development of Individual Studies
Individual Studies was created by the Campus Senate in the mid 1970’s to serve
the needs of students who desired academic programs not already offered by the
University.1 The program was an addition to numerous interdisciplinary
programs and the Bachelor of General Studies program offered at the time.
Individual Studies always required students to develop specific curriculum plans,
to secure the commitment and work of a faculty sponsor, and to gain approval
from a faculty review committee. While the programs that students develop vary
greatly and the requirements have shifted slightly in recent years, the foundation
and purposes of IVSP have remained the same throughout its existence.
C. The Staff and Faculty of IVSP
The Individual Studies Program staff currently consists of an Associate Dean of
Undergraduate Studies, Scott Wolpert (in a joint appointment with CMPS), and
the Coordinator for Special Programs in Undergraduate Studies, Jeff Kniple.
IVSP is a direct responsibility for both people, and a part of their professional
portfolios. Prior to the fall of 2003 Letters and Sciences employed a graduate
assistant to aid with the advising and recruitment of IVSP students. The
Coordinator assumed responsibility for these duties when the Office of
Undergraduate Studies resumed direct management of the program.
At the decision of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the current Faculty
Review Board also serves as the Office of Undergraduate Studies Programs,
Curricula and Courses committee and through the fall of 2004 the Board included
tenured faculty from Spanish and Portuguese Computer Science, Cellular
Biology and Molecular Genetics, Languages, Literatures and Cultures,
1
The original Charter for the Individual Studies Program and the supporting documentation can not be
found at this time in the University’s records. The history represented here is based in part on a handout
dating to 1994, a 1991 Campus PCC proposal, and also on student academic records and input from staff
and faculty involved with the program in recent years. (In the 1991 PCC document, two different dates are
given for the creation of IVSP.)
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Journalism, and Mathematics. In addition, the Director of CORE Planning and
Implementation is a member ex officio.
Tenured and tenure-track faculty members are extremely important to the makeup of the Faculty Review Board and the oversight and approval of the IVSP
curricula. The Board had existed in a different form prior to the September 2003
reorganization. The previous Faculty Review Board included a number of the
University’s administrators and instructors. With the additional goal of serving as
the UGST PCC, it was deemed appropriate to make the group stronger by
choosing members from the tenured and tenure-track faculty who have
experience with curriculum design. Four of the previous six Board members
were asked to be part of the new group, allowing for continuity and stability in the
program.
Students must first select and gain the support of a faculty mentor in order to
apply to IVSP. The faculty mentor helps with the design of their curriculum,
serves as an academic resource throughout their time in the program, and is the
primary grader for all of their IVSP coursework. Mentors are generally members
of the teaching faculty with the title of Professor, Associate Professor, or
Assistant Professor. On occasion, instructors and lecturers with significant
expertise in the student’s field of study and an ongoing relationship with the
University may serve as faculty mentors.
D. IVSP Curricula
Individual Studies curricula vary widely from student to student but have a few
common attributes. At the center is an identifiable academic and intellectual
purpose. That is, the programs designed by the students and approved by the
Faculty Review Board must be focused toward the study of a particular collection
of ideas and concepts, as opposed to being a vocational training ground or
serving other purposes. In the liberal arts tradition, IVSP students are learning
about more than learning to do.
Each program consists of courses taken at the lower-level that serve as the
foundation for the in-depth study of particular ideas and concepts through upperdivision coursework. Students must combine at least three academic areas and
take courses that relate to each other and to the central focus of the proposal. A
common model is for coursework from four or five departments with a limited
selection of courses from each.
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Section II
Rules for the Individual Studies Program
The existing policies for Individual Studies are listed in the catalog and in the
IVSP documents given to faculty and staff. Where changes are being suggested
to the current rules they are highlighted and a short explanation is included. For
more information on these changes, see the Background Discussion (section V)
at the end of this proposal.
A.
Rules for Admission to Individual Studies.
At the time of admission the student must:
1.
Have a clearly defined academic goal that cannot be reasonably
satisfied in an existing curriculum at the University of Maryland,
College Park.
2.
Have at least 30 earned college credits with at least 12 credits
completed at College Park.
((Previous standard of 15 credits earned at College Park lowered to match the
campus minimum for a full-time semester of coursework and to provide for highcredit (AP) freshmen and transfer students.))
3.
Have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA in each of their previous two
semesters of college, and at least a 2.0 GPA overall.
((This is an increased expectation reflecting the expectations of interdisciplinary
work and individual-responsibility common to IVSP.))
4.
Complete at least 30 additional credits beginning the term
following admission to IVSP.
((Clarification of an existing expectation.))
5.
Identify an appropriate faculty mentor, preferably tenured or
tenure track, with significant undergraduate education
experience related to the field of study.
((Language clarified to meet existing practices and expectations for faculty
mentors.))
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6.
Complete a detailed plan of study (prospectus) which is approved
by their faculty mentor and then approved by the Individual Studies
Faculty Review Board. This proposal will include:
a.
A clear statement of the core academic purpose for their
major.
b.
Specific course requirements including at least 27 credits
of upper-division major coursework (300 & 400 level)
beyond the IVSP courses: IVSP 317, IVSP 318, and IVSP
420.
((The minimum of 27 credits is inline with most other interdisciplinary
majors on campus. In addition, students will complete at least 4 credits
at the 300-400 through the IVSP courses and lower level courses as
prescribed in their proposal.))
c.
The list of courses must include at least one writing-craft
course, in addition to the CORE Fundamental Studies
Introduction to Writing and Professional Writing
requirements, selected from an approved list that is
available from the Individual Studies staff.
((This is a new requirement that fits with the interdisciplinary purposes of
IVSP.))
d.
7.
A semester-by-semester plan for the completion of their
undergraduate degree within a reasonable period of time.
Students must complete the IVSP Departmental Notification Form
in order to notify academic units from which they will take three or
more 300-400 level courses.
((This will be done through a short form distributed to the most numerously listed
departments in the program, and other departments with special considerations
for access to courses.))
B.
Following Admission, students must:
1.
Earn a grade of C or better in all courses required in their IVSP
program of study including IVSP 420 and a satisfactory grade in
IVSP 317.
2.
Complete mandatory advising sessions with their faculty mentor
and the IVSP staff every semester and review their semester-bysemester academic plan for completion of their IVSP program.
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3.
If not already completed, work towards immediate completion of the
fundamental studies requirements for English composition and
mathematics.
Section III
Guidelines for Individual Studies Program Students,
Faculty and Staff
A.
At the discretion of the Dean for Undergraduate Studies, exceptions to the
rules of admission may be granted for individual students.
B.
Students are expected to apply during the sophomore and junior
academic years, before reaching 90 academic credits.
C.
Academic Goals for Individual Studies :
1.
The purpose of IVSP is to give students a chance to create a
unique academic program focused on a specific area of study,
using courses from multiple academic departments.
2.
It is not the purpose of IVSP to substitute for or replicate the
educational goals of existing University programs, especially the
campus’ Limited Enrollment Programs. Students will be restricted
in their ability to include substantial numbers of courses from the
LEP departments in their programs of study. When including
courses from existing programs, IVSP students may be expected to
include coursework expected of majors.
3.
Students are expected to develop an academic program that
provides breadth at the lower-level through coursework from
multiple disciplines, and significant depth in two or more academic
departments at the upper-level.
4.
To receive a degree, students are required to successfully
complete all courses listed in the “Academic Requirements” section
of their proposal. Any changes to this program must be approved
by their faculty mentor and require the approval of the Dean for
Undergraduate Studies.
5.
Students should include in their proposal their plans for the
completion of all the CORE general education requirements.
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6.
Because students complete a capstone / thesis course (IVSP 420)
as part of their IVSP requirements, they are required to complete
one (1) Advanced Studies CORE course.
D.
Faculty mentors and students should work together regularly in an
academic partnership throughout the student’s involvement with IVSP, but
especially 1) as the student is designing the program, 2) as the student is
completing independent studies, and 3) as the student completes all
aspects of the senior project.
E.
IVSP allows students to create individual interdisciplinary curricula. IVSP is
not intended as a format for offering faculty-designed programs in lieu of
Programs, Curricula and Courses (PCC) approval.
Section IV
The Individual Studies Faculty Review Board
A.
B.
Purposes of the Individual Studies Faculty Review Board
1.
Oversee and provide guidance for the Individual Studies Program
2.
Serve as the review board for students’ academic proposals
Composition of the Individual Studies Faculty Review Board
1.
Members of the review board are appointed by the Dean of
Undergraduate Studies.
2.
The chair of the board must be a tenured faculty member.
3.
The board should include at least six and no more than ten
members who conduct the business of the group, and at least half
of the members should be tenured / tenure-track faculty members.
4.
The Director of CORE Planning and Implementation is a member
ex officio.
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C.
D.
Requirements for the conduct of Official Business
1.
The Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies charged with
responsibility for IVSP will, with the assistance of the IVSP staff,
call the meetings and prepare the agenda.
2.
The quorum required to conduct official business of the IVSP
Review Board will be at least half of the members appointed at that
time.
3.
A broad consensus among Board members is expected for the
approval of students’ academic programs and entrance into IVSP.
In the absence of a consensus, support of at least half of the
members present is required to approve a program.
4.
Final approval of the students’ academic programs rests with the
Dean for Undergraduate Studies.
Guidelines for the Review of Proposals
The IVSP Faculty Review Board will use the following guidelines when
considering student proposals:
1.
Proposals should have a clearly defined academic focus. The
students should identify a central set of concepts or issues and
relevant courses that together create an area of study.
2.
IVSP programs should be interdisciplinary in nature, and draw from
at least three academic areas. The programs should not closely
replicate or approach the goals of any existing academic major, or
combination of majors and minors at the University.
3.
Programs must identify an appropriate faculty mentor, preferably
tenured or tenure track, who has significant undergraduate
education experience related to the area of study. Students must
provide proof of the faculty mentor’s support for the program.
4.
In considering instructors as mentors, the Faculty Review Board
may request information on the continuance of the instructor with
the University. As deemed appropriate the Board may request that
a tenured or tenure-track faculty member cosign the proposal along
with the faculty mentor.
5.
Proposals must be consistent with the student’s academic record,
be possible within the University’s structure and offerings, and
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make good use of the available resources related to the area of
study.
Section V
Background
A.
B.
C.
Key Events in the history of IVSP
Previous review by the Campus PCC
Making new majors- examples and issues
A.
Key events in the history of the Individual Studies Program
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Individual Studies was created by the Campus Senate in the mid-1970s to serve
the needs of students who desired academic programs not already offered by the
University.2 The program was an addition to numerous interdisciplinary
programs and the Bachelor of General Studies program offered at the time.
From the beginning, the program differed from General Studies through the
requirement that students in IVSP pursue the study of an identified set of
concepts or ideas, similar to traditional academic majors. While the majors are
interdisciplinary, they have a central area of focus that is created through the
courses and independent learning activities that make up the students’ curricula.
The Program was first housed within the Office of Undergraduate Studies under
Dean Robert Shoenberg, with the daily work and advising being done by
Assistant Dean Dr. William Grohman. Throughout most of the program’s
existence, the direct leadership for the program has been under an Assistant or
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, who sometimes also served as the
Director of the Division of Letters and Sciences. From 1985-2003 three
Coordinators worked with IVSP from within the offices now known as the Division
of Letters and Sciences, conducting most of the advising and providing support
for the students. In September of 2003 the program was reassigned to an
Associate Dean housed within the Office of Undergraduate Studies and the
Coordinator began reporting directly to that person. At this time there is no
connection between IVSP and the Division of Letters and Sciences.
2
The original Charter for the Individual Studies Program and the supporting documentation cannot be
found at this time in the University’s records. The history represented here is based in part on a handout
dating to 1994, and also on student academic records and input from staff and faculty involved with the
program in recent years. (In the 1991 document, two different dates are given for the creation of IVSP.)
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Continuity for the program was improved in 1994 by the creation of a standing
Faculty Review Board. Prior to that time, the members present for the review of
students’ proposals would vary from meeting to meeting. A number of the
current Board members have been associated with the program for at least six
years, and some many more. Most of the current Board members had been
faculty mentors for a number of students prior to joining the Board. Others have
been invited to serve in response to multiple students choosing coursework from
their disciplines and a need for expertise in those areas in the group.
The Faculty Review Board was officially disbanded and recreated in September
2003 with the four tenured faculty members from the previous group remaining
and being joined by two others. The current Board also serves as the
Undergraduate Studies Programs, Curricula and Courses committee.
B.
Previous Review by the Campus PCC
The program underwent review by the campus PCC from December 1990May,1991. At that time, the IVSP courses were changed to reflect new numbers
and requirements that still stand today. IVSP 320, Bachelor’s Report was altered
to become IVSP 420, Senior Paper, reflecting a more serious purpose and
stringent requirements. IVSP 318, Independent Study, was limited to no more
than 9 credits, and not more than 6 in a given semester. Students could
previously register in this course for up to 15 credits. IVSP 319 was standardized
as a one-time, one-credit course titled Progress Report. It was renumbered to
IVSP 317 sometime later. In addition, a requirement was added to force
students to take at least 15 credits at the 300-400 level in their program.
It is believed that the 1991 PCC proposal was the last time that Individual Studies
was reviewed or altered significantly. However, a series of adjustments to the
internal structure of IVSP and the program’s relationships with other academic
departments have occurred in the past two years. Many of the changes stem
from issues pertaining to limited enrollment programs and an internal review of
IVSP trends that began in the spring of 2004.
C.
Making new Majors – Examples and Issues
Students generally come to Individual Studies for two reasons. They either have
a set of interests that do not fit easily into the existing majors on campus, or they
are not admitted into the major of their choice. For the most part, the Individual
Studies Program has been fortunate to attract students with wide ranging
interests and tremendous ability. For such students, the program serves as a
means to create a major that spans a number of departments, and approaches
questions from multiple perspectives- the essence of interdisciplinary study.
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Other students find Individual Studies at the suggestion of a faculty member or
advisor who feels they cannot serve the student in their own department. This is
sometimes due to the students’ need for flexibility beyond what a department
offers. In either case, the goals from the program’s perspective are the same. In
order to join IVSP, the students are asked to create a new major (with the help of
their faculty mentor) that is academically coherent, spans various departments at
the lower- and upper-levels, and has a particular central intellectual purpose that
ties the collection of courses together.
One example:
One student wished to better understand the Ethics and Public Policy of
Medicine in the US. In her own words, her program is “the study of governmental
and institutional governance and policies relating to the moral and social issues
of medicine and healthcare.” To this end, she included groups of courses from
Philosophy, Government and Politics, Public and Community Health, Biology,
and the Honors program, and smaller numbers from Chemistry, Anthropology
and Public Affairs. Her program is not dominated by any particular area of study.
By the end she will take no more than four courses in any academic department.
Instead, the major requires her to take the ideas from each of her courses and
make the intellectual connections for herself. In total she will have taken 37-40
credits at the 300 level or higher and 65 credits for her major.
Some other examples of recent majors include:
• Technology in Latin America
• Health in the Anthropological Context
• Digital Narrative Studies
• Literature, Culture and Social Inequality
• World Religion and Myth
• Music, Technology and Culture
• Modern Western Civilization
• Forensic Investigation
These are all majors that are unique but consistent with the interdisciplinary
program concept that is described above.
Some IVSP programs predated the creation of related majors at the University.
Variations on Environmental Science and Policy were popular prior to the
creation of that program in 1997. On the other hand, eliminating the advertising
track within Journalism and the Radio, Television and Film programs each
brought many students to IVSP as a result.
In most cases students whose majors share similar titles would have quite
different sets of requirements and purposes for their study. That is certainly the
goal. In that regard, the Sports Management and Music Management programs
that have been popular within IVSP were an exception. A small number of
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faculty members supervised these programs multiple times, contributing to a
series of students following very similar programs. It is the judgment of the
current Faculty Board and IVSP leadership that these majors do not meet the
spirit of being individual programs as they were being pursued.
Individual Studies should also adjust in relation to the limited enrollment
programs on campus. As part of this proposal we are suggesting limits in the
coursework that can be taken in the LEP departments in an effort to ensure
better access to the courses required for our students, and to prevent students
from trying to do through IVSP what they should do through the existing
programs. IVSP strives in all cases to avoid the duplication of existing majors,
and the matter is particularly important due to the admission requirements of the
LEPs.
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