Watson Institute for International StudiesBrown University

Individual Research Project

IR concentration credit is permitted for individual research projects that build on the students' IR program on an individual basis. The purpose of the independent study is to allow students to initiate a course of study which, in content, emphasis, or procedure, cannot be duplicated in the established curriculum. An individual research project involves working closely with a member of the faculty who agrees to maintain regular contact with the student, evaluate the work, and assign a final grade. The student should therefore approach professors who might have an interest in the student's proposed topic or focus. An individual research project generally involves extensive reading followed by a major piece of scholarly writing (e.g. 25-30 page research paper) or a significant project. With the approval of the concentration advisor, an individual research project may fulfill an elective requirement in the IR concentration.

Although the specific terms of the individual research project will be agreed upon with the professor, a proposal should include the following:

  1. a statement of purpose
  2. a detailed plan of work for the semester (i.e., a syllabus listing the readings and page numbers for each week)
  3. a meeting schedule with the sponsor of the individual research project
  4. the basis for the final evaluation (e.g. will there be a mid-semester grade? Will the final grade be based mainly on a single research paper?)
  5. name and signature of faculty sponsor.

Note: The work load for an individual research project is the equivalent of an upper-level course or seminar and should involve at least 200 pages of reading per week. Ideally, the student should meet with his or her faculty sponsor at least twice a month.

Registering for independent study. All proposals for independent study in IR must be approved by the faculty sponsor with written permission from the IR Program director or assistant director. Students should not register for any section of INTL 1970 without this written permission.

Getting concentration credit: IR concentrators seeking concentration credit for independent study must get written approval from the IR concentration advisor prior to the semester in which the independent study is to begin. Concentration credit is not awarded for independent study retroactively.

Group Independent Projects: Identical proposals which involve two or more students working under the supervision of a single faculty sponsor must be submitted to the Office of the Dean of the College as a GISP (Group Independent Study Project). GISP proposal deadlines are typically in April and November. GISPs approved by the College Curriculum Council may be considered for elective credit in IR with written approval from the IR concentration advisor prior to the semester in whcih group study is to begin. Concentration credit is not awarded for group independent study retroactively.