iS! | IC Proposal Form
(Type Concentration Title Here)
By (Student's Name)
Proposed (Semester), (Year)
This is a protected Word form. Please type in the gray boxes. The boxes only display on computer.
Banner ID: B
Graduation Year: 20
Email:
Degree: (Select AB/ScB)
Semester Level:
Box #:
Is this a revision of a proposal submitted earlier? Yes
Will this concentration replace one previously declared? (Yes/No)
If yes, which?
Will it be in addition to one previously declared? (Yes/No)
If yes, which?
Faculty Sponsor:
Sponsor’s Department:
Sponsor’s Title: (Must be above the rank of Instructor or Lecturer)
Summary/Cocktail (Provide a 1-2 sentence description of the concentration's focus in simple, jargon-free language)
Party Description
of the IC:
The Curricular Resource Center maintains an archive of approved IC proposals to allow
prospective ICers to get a sense of past work. Proposals are made available upon your
graduation. "X" here if you DO NOT want your IC proposal to be made available in the IC
archive upon your graduation.
Student Signature: (Type or Insert Student's Name)
Last updated 2/10/16
Date:
iS! | IC Proposal Form
(Type Concentration Title Here)
An Independent Concentration by (Student's Name), Class of (Grad. Year)
Contents:
1. Overview ........................................................................................... 2
2. What ................................................................................................. 2
3. How .................................................................................................. 2
4. Why .................................................................................................. 2
5. Courses ............................................................................................. 3
6. Courses (Annotated) .......................................................................... 3
7. Thesis/Capstone ................................................................................ 3
8. Bibliography ...................................................................................... 4
9. Faculty Sponsor Letter ....................................................................... 4
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iS! | IC Proposal Form
Independent Concentration | Proposal Outline
Before completing this proposal, please consult the Independent Concentration Information Packet, schedule
an appointment with the Independent Concentration Coordinators at the Curricular Resource Center (email
independent_concentrations@brown.edu), and look through the archive of approved IC proposals at the CRC.
1. Overview – Provide a clear description of the proposed concentration’s academic goals
 Outline the purpose and trajectory of the concentration, focusing in on the ways in which the various elements
coalesce around a central theme or question.
(Please Type Here)
2. What – Describe the context of the concentration outside of Brown
 If the proposed concentration exists at other undergraduate liberal arts institutions comparable to Brown,
describe the similarities and differences between the IC and those programs. Consider reaching out to
members of those programs.
 If the concentration does not exist as an undergraduate program elsewhere but is a clearly established field of
study, describe the state of the field, bring in resources from active scholars, and discuss how this
concentration will connect with the field. Consider consulting leading journals or contacting some of the
relevant scholars for guidance.
 If the concentration does not (yet) exist as a field of study, provide a very compelling description of its
necessity, relevance, and academic merit.
(Please Type Here)
3. How – Discuss the scholarly methods to be used and the connections with any related disciplines
 Outline the analytic research methods or forms of inquiry of the concentration, highlighting the role of the
methods course (see Courses Section).
 Describe the connections with other academic fields, including how courses and texts from other disciplines at
Brown will be used to complete this concentration.
(Please Type Here)
4. Why – Provide a well thought-out justification for creating a new concentration
 Include a brief statement of personal interest in the topic.
 Include a statement about why this program of study should be pursued as an Independent Concentration, as
opposed to one of the many standard options. If the IC is similar to any other concentration(s), describe their
differences – which should be significant enough to merit the creation of a new concentration.
 Read and consider various educational philosophies, including the Liberal Learning Goals and the philosophy
outlined in “Draft of a Working Paper for Education at Brown University” (the student-authored foundation of
the New Curriculum and the IC program). Describe which educational goals the IC fulfills and how it will do so.
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iS! | IC Proposal Form
(Please Type Here)
5. Courses – List the courses required for the concentration
 AB concentrations should include at least 10 Core Courses, including 1 methods course, and 1 departmental
independent study course (DISP) for your capstone (students who wish to complete a thesis will have a
minimum of 11 courses, as 2 DISPs are required). Most ScB concentrations include at least 14 Core Courses.
 The course list should include a mix of introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses, and the progression
should match the sequence in which the courses are taken.
 Consider the knowledge and skills that are integral to the field instead of simply searching Banner for courses
that "fit" the topic. You may find it useful to list as alternatives courses that accomplish similar intellectual
goals (for example, if you plan to take 2 from a list of 3 courses).
 The methods course should provide the tools to comprehend, conduct, and report on research in your field
(critical for your capstone/thesis!). It may be qualitative, quantitative, theoretical, etc., and more than one
course may be required depending on your field.
 Courses must follow a logical progression, which should be articulated in the next section. The “Categories”
column should be adapted so as to best explain the flow of the particular concentration. Courses should also
follow a relatively chronological progression so that core courses are completed before the Thesis/Capstone.
> Core Courses
Stud. Sem. Acad. Sem., Yr. Course Code
(1-8)
(i.e. Fall 2014)
Course Title
Instructor
(Add rows with Table > Insert > Rows Below in
Microsoft Word – Then delete this text)
Category
(i.e. Intro,
Advanced,
Methods)
> Related Courses: not directly tied to your concentration but may complement the Core. Will not be entered in ASK.
Stud. Sem. Acad. Sem., Yr. Course Code
Course Title
Instructor
Category
6. Courses (Annotated) – Describe how each of the courses supports the concentration
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
Divide this section into categories that demonstrate the logical progression of the courses.
Provide 2-3 sentences per course relating the academic material covered to the concentration topic.
Describe how each will contribute to the concentration’s depth as well as breadth.
Consider including a diagram (flow chart, Venn diagram, etc.) of courses to illustrate the coherence of the IC.
(Please Type Here)
7. Thesis/Capstone – Outline the culminating project for the concentration
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iS! | IC Proposal Form
 ICs must include a final project to tie together the knowledge and skills of the concentration. Describe the
format and content of the intended Capstone or Honors Thesis (details on the IC Info Sheet and the Thesis
Guidelines, both on the CRC website).
 For sophomores this should be a rough outline of what the final projects might entail. Juniors should have a
clearer idea of what the Capstone or Thesis will involve.
(Please Type Here)
8. Bibliography – Provide an annotated list of scholarly texts that are relevant to the concentration
 List at least 10 texts that are central to the concentration. In 1-2 sentences, describe how each relates to the
concentration. Do not simply provide a generic summary.
(Please Type Here)
9. Faculty Sponsor Letter – Attach a letter of support from the Faculty Sponsor
 The Faculty Sponsor Info Sheet, including the instructions for this letter, can be found on the CRC’s website.
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