Academic Policies

7. Guidelines for the Management of Special Courses

Purpose

To establish a uniform practice for the management of special courses at Capital College.

Definition

The term "special course" applies to courses by arrangement, independent studies, individual studies, special topics, or any other temporary course lacking a standard course content approved by the faculty for continuous use. Based on a survey of the Associate Deans at all Penn State locations, the term "course by arrangement" is only used at Capital College.

The following sections deal with each of the course types and provide instructions for School Directors, faculty, and students about how each course type should be managed.

A. Courses by Arrangement

Definition

A "course by arrangement" is a phrase used at the Capital College to designate a regular course approved by University Faculty Senate but not listed in the Schedule of Classes during the semester the student requests the arrangement.

The following guidelines apply to the management of any course by arrangement. School Directors are expected to distribute these guidelines to students, faculty, and staff.

1. A course by arrangement may be added to a current Schedule of Classes but must be identified by a separate section number. The listing must indicate that the class meetings are "to be arranged."
2. In general, the "course by arrangement" should not be used except in special circumstances and only then when the delivery of such a course is consistent with the teaching and learning goals established by the faculty of the appropriate academic unit.
3. The course by arrangement is intended for use primarily by undergraduate students.
4. The course by arrangement is not intended for students who have not followed the guidance of an academic adviser or the published course sequence schedules available in the Undergraduate Advising Handbook, the University Bulletin, and/or the appropriate Capital College publications.
5. The arrangement must be approved by the School Director upon appropriate justification from the student and the instructor.
6. A course by arrangement should have the same overall requirements, learning objectives, and subject matter as the regularly offered course, e.g. MATH 017 should be the same course regardless of how it is delivered.
7. Before the student is allowed to register for a course by arrangement, the instructor must provide the student with:
   1. A course syllabus similar to that used in whenever the class is scheduled uring a regular semester
   2. A complete list of meeting times
   3. A beginning and ending date for the course and,
   4. A schedule for tests, examinations, or other projects.
8. Since the course by arrangement is intended for individual students in exceptional circumstances, the enrollment limit is three students.
9. Such courses should be offered during the regular academic year rather than the summer semester.
10. Each School must maintain a separate file indicating how many such courses were offered during a typical semester. Such records should be retained for five academic years.
11. School Directors can limit the number of courses offered within a School.

B. Independent Studies

Definition

Independent Study courses are commonly listed in the "Common Course Numbers" section of the undergraduate and graduate bulletins. The numbers 296-496 apply to undergraduate programs, while 596 and above apply to graduate courses. The undergraduate Bulletin defines these studies as "Creative projects, including research and design, that are supervised on an individual basis and that outside the scope of formal courses. A specific title may be used in each instance and will be entered in the student's transcript." The faculty has approved 1-18 credits for Independent Studies listed in the undergraduate Bulletin.

The following procedures apply to those 296-596 courses offered as Independent Studies.

1. Only School Directors may approve independent study courses. If the responsibility is delegated, that delegation must be made in writing and shared with the faculty and staff of the School.
2. The faculty member conducting the study must discuss the learning objectives with the student and assist the student with the preparation of a standard independent study form, which can be obtained from the staff assistants in any School.
3. Following the completion of that form and the submission of any other required documentation, the student must file the form along with a standard registration form at the time of registration.
4. Students may not register for an independent study by telephone or electronic registration.
5. The School Director may reject any independent study course proposal that does not meet the criteria established in these Guidelines or by the faculty of the School.
6. There must be a clear, written justification for the Independent Study on the appropriate form.
7. The student must demonstrate some knowledge or practical experience including prior course work to qualify an independent study preexisting background.
8. Independent study courses must not be used to replace any regular or required course in any major.
9. The independent study course designation is to be reserved for students who wish to conduct a study, research work, creative project, or design a course not covered in the regular curriculum or to pursue specialized knowledge in a faculty member's areas of research expertise.
10. Faculty should prepare a report on the product of the Independent Study for the Director or his/her designee at the end of the semester. All such reports should be filed with the Annual Faculty Activity Report known locally as the "Green Sheets." Copies of final products ought to be placed in students' files to provide greater accountability.
11. Students should evaluate the course in a manner approved by the faculty of the academic unit. The evaluation method must be stated in writing and submitted to the School Director for approval along with all the other required materials.
12. No faculty member should teach more than three Independent study courses in a semester.
13. Independent studies are considered part of faculty member's regular load. Faculty members teaching such courses will not receive overload compensation during the regular academic year.
14. School Directors should regularly evaluate the practices in their respective Schools and share any changes they deem relevant for improving the administration of independent studies.

Approved by Academic Council (10-15-2002)