Independent Study

Four (2+2) Credit ENVS 499 

ENVS 499 is a four credit independent study constituting original student research, done in consultation with a faculty mentor. It generally is pursued by ENVS students in conjunction with an overseas program, involving one semester (two credits) developing a researchable topic prior to departure, then one semester (two credits) writing up and presenting results upon return; additionally, a Mellon initiative international stipend could support the actual research. In many cases the independent study is incorporated into the student’s ENVS concentration, and thus connects overseas study to the ENVS major—and potentially the student’s ENVS thesis. Other options for an ENVS 499 independent study are possible as well.

Requirements for completion of a 2+2 ENVS 499 are similar in some ways to the 499T procedure outlined above, and include the following for the pre-departure semester:

1. Initiate a research project record on the SGE (Situating the Global Environment) website, as well as a mashup page. The project record will be relatively simple at first, but by the end of the semester it will store the research proposal and accompanying information; the mashup page assembles a variety of project data onto one page. Here are instructions for using the SGE site and completing a project record and mashup page. If a related research project and mashup page have already been defined as a part of ENVS 220 or 330, they can simply be modified to reflect the proposed research.
2. Develop a bibliography on the research topic (to be annotated in consultation with the thesis advisor), and share it with the ENVS community as a collection in the LCENVS Zotero Library. Here are instructions for defining a Zotero collection; please add it to the ENVS499 collection as a subcollection. If a related Zotero collection has already been defined as a part of ENVS 220 or 330, it can simply be moved to the ENVS499 collection. In some promising cases, we’ll ask you to apply your general readings and research project preparation toward developing a new situated research theme (see here for current themes).
3. Share weekly postings on the SGE page providing updates on the project or related resources; see here for information on sharing a blog or other posting, and see previous posts on the SGE site for examples. You will share at least oneconcept map summarizing major actors related to your research topic as part of your postings; in consultation with your 499 advisor you will refine this Cmap over the course of the semester (see here for Cmap help).  Good research is an unfolding process as well as resulting in a quality product; your weekly posts will help others appreciate the process you go through in doing your research.

During your overseas program you’ll perform your research. This may be done in conjunction with an independent project requirement, or may need to be done immediately after the overseas program ends; again, a Mellon initiative international stipend could support the actual research. During this period, you will be expected to post regular updates on the SGE site, to be finalized with your advisor (we appreciate that some overseas venues preclude regular Internet access). 

Here are the requirements for the post-overseas program semester: 

1. Develop a poster, to be presented at the ENVS end-of-semester poster celebration.  The poster will also be shared as a posting on our SGE site.
2. Share your overall experience with a general audience via the ENVS blog. This will consist of a roughly 500-word summary, with a representative image, of your overseas research experience, and will be finalized with your advisor and emailed to ENVS.
3. Add images to your SGE mashup page from your overseas experience, or optionally post a link to a Picasa or Flickr album. If your research project is now complete, make sure to mark it as such on the project record.