New York University Bulletin - Gallatin School of Individualized ...

GALLATIN SCHOOL OF INDIVIDUALIZED STUDYforms: a research thesis, an artistic thesis or a project thesis.The thesis is required for completionof the master’s degree program, and it can only be taken on a pass/fail basis.Gallatin Elective CoursesWhile most students develop a concentration by taking courses throughout the schools ofNYU, Gallatin offers a series of elective courses, including fiction writing, social theory andmethods,and human rights.Examples of recent elective courses include“Adaptation:Screenplaysand Source Material;”“American Society and Culture in Transition;” and “AdvancedUrban Design: Creating Green Cities.”Travel CourseItalian Renaissance Art and Literature:The Culture ExplosionThis three-week summer course in Florence introduces students to the literature and art ofthe Italian Renaissance. For more information on Elective Courses, see page 84.INDIVIDUALIZED PROJECTSGallatin offers students an opportunity to pursue their interests through a variety of alternativesoutside the traditional classroom: independent study, tutorials, internships, and privatelessons.Although the faculty encourages students to use these learning formats whenappropriate, they are optional.While the total number of units earned through individualizedprojects is limited to 12 units, Gallatin encourages students to use this opportunitywhenever it is educationally justified. For more information regarding policies, proceduresand guidelines for individualized projects, please visit the Gallatin Web site.In an independent study, a student works one-on-one with a faculty member on aparticular topic or creative project.Typically, the idea for an independent study arises in acourse; for example, in a seminar on early 20th-century American history, a student may developan interest in the Harlem Renaissance and ask the professor to supervise an independentstudy focused exclusively on this topic during the next semester. Students may alsodevelop creative projects in areas such as, but not limited to, music composition, filmmakingor fiction writing. Gallatin graduate students have conducted independent studies onsuch topics as early influences on Martha Graham’s choreography, the impact of social classdifferences on school outcomes, and research methods in brain physiology.Independent studies are graded courses, the details of which are formulated by the studentand the instructor; these specifics are described in the independent study proposal andsubmitted to the Deans’ Office for approval. The student and instructor meet regularlythroughout the semester to discuss the readings, the research and the student’s work. Creditis determined by the amount of work entailed in the study and should be comparable to thatof a Gallatin classroom course.NewYork University Bulletin 2012-2013 65