2019-2020 BSC Catalog

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
43
creative production. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors may take advantage of the option
to develop their own contracted projects. See the “Exploration Term” section in this
catalog for more information.
Individualized Study Contracts
During any term, students may design learning experiences that reflect their individual
academic and career interests by contracting a project with a faculty member. Contracted
learning experiences can range in scope from independent study courses to an entire
major. All individual learning experiences for academic credit, including learning outside
of the traditional classroom, require prior approval of an Academic Contract for
Independent Study or an Individualized Major Contract. See the “Individualized Majors”
section of this catalog for more information.
Students initiate individualized learning experiences. However, each contract is
sponsored by a faculty member who plays an active role in the experience. All contracts
detail the objectives of the course, project, or major; procedures to be used; timetable for
work to be completed; a bibliography; and the means by which the course, project, or
major will be evaluated. For a unit of credit, students should complete at least 150 clock
hours of work associated with the contract during the term, including time spent reading,
writing, or completing other assignments, as well as time on site for an internship
experience. The department chair of the faculty sponsor, the student’s academic advisor,
and the Exploration Term and Contract Learning Committee review and must approve all
proposals. Should the faculty sponsor be a department chairperson, the course should also
be approved by another member of the department or by the Provost. To elect “S”/“U”
credit, a student must have at least 15 units of college credit; otherwise, independent
study projects receive letter grades. Contract titles and descriptions appear on the
academic transcript, and contracts are kept on file in the Office of Academic Records.
Contracts are not an alternative for existing courses in the curriculum. Courses may not
be redeemed by contract. Not-candidate-for-degree students are not allowed to design and
contract individualized learning experiences. Individualized courses usually carry the
designation of the supervising discipline. The college-wide designations “GEN,” “IDS”
(interdisciplinary studies), “SBS” (social and behavioral sciences), “FN” (fine arts), and
other interdisciplinary designations are also available as alternatives for courses that do
not fall clearly within a single discipline. Courses with non-disciplinary designations do
not satisfy Explorations curriculum requirements. Exploration term contracts are
numbered 299 or 499; regular term independent study contracts are numbered 293, 393,
or 493; and regular term internships are numbered 297, 397, or 497. A maximum of two
units counting toward graduation may be earned for independent study and internships.
Off-campus internship projects are directed by Birmingham-Southern College faculty
members who share supervision with a field supervisor in the partnering agency.
Internships may not be used to fulfill general education requirements. Unless a discipline
specifies otherwise, all off-campus projects are evaluated “S” or “U.” Internship
prerequisites are determined by each discipline.
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2019-2020