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Important Notes
HD 4000 Directed Readings In this course students pursue study in a particular topic primarily through library research. HD 4000 supplements regularly offered courses and typically focuses on an intensive analysis of a specific topic or problem area. It is not designed to duplicate the content of a course or substitute for a course. A student might propose directed readings on the role of sports in adolescent development or on the influence of culture on the development of eating disorders, both of which are specific topics that might be dealt with briefly in a regularly offered course. However, one would not propose a directed reading in adolescent development or in health and social behavior because courses on these topics are offered regularly. A directed reading involves a professor and student determining a reading list and holding regular meetings during the semester to discuss the readings and modify the list as needed. The student typically writes a substantial paper at the end of the semester. Students interested in HD 4000 must find a professor to supervise the directed readings. In some cases, a student might approach a professor who taught a course he or she enjoyed about supervising an intensive set of readings on one aspect of that course. In other cases, a student may find a professor whose research or teaching interests are related to a topic of interest to the student. Professors often hesitate to supervise a directed reading; supervising a directed reading is a time-consuming process and faculty (like students) often has very limited time. However, many professors are willing to supervise a directed reading if the student can provide a clear rationale for the project and the area is of interest to the professor. Students in directed readings must show considerable initiative throughout the process. Professors will be particularly hesitant to supervise a directed reading for a student who appears to require extensive hand-holding or who does not know how to use the Cornell library effectively. HD 4010 Empirical Research HD 4010 offers academic credits for supervised research experience to students who wish to learn about the research process and develop competence in one or more aspects of social science research. Students in HD 4010 work on a professor's research project, and may sometimes assist on a graduate student's project. There are two strategies for finding a professor or graduate student seeking assistance. The first is to keep an eye on bulletin boards to see if anyone is advertising for undergraduate research assistants. Here is another strategy:
HD 4020 Field Work HD 4020 offers students an opportunity to integrate theory and research with a field work experience that is not available through course work in the department or elsewhere at Cornell. It involves responsible participation in a community setting with individuals or groups, and reflection on that experience through reading, writing and discussion with a faculty sponsor. Students are likely to receive ongoing supervision both at their field work placement and from their faculty sponsor at Cornell. “Supervision” is the critical component. As with the other independent studies, field work requires considerable effort on the part of students. Students often must identify a field placement in the community (perhaps through listings for volunteer work) and arrange for supervision from a professor with interests in the area of the field placement. Placements in clinical settings should be supervised by a clinical psychologist. Several HD courses have a fieldwork component:
Credits and Grading Students can receive between 1 and 4 credits each semester for participation in an independent study, and either letter grades or S/U grades may be given. Students should discuss the professor's grading policies for independent study before beginning the independent study. Some professors restrict the grading option to S/U. In general, students are expected to put in 3 hours of work for each credit hour received. Thus, students planning to earn 2 credits of HD 4010 should expect to work 6 hours a week as a research assistant. Students must do the work for which they are receiving credit during the semester they receive the credit. This primarily means that students cannot complete a fieldwork placement or internship during the summer and receive academic credit for it during the subsequent fall. (Note, however, that arrangements have been made in the past for students who must receive academic credit for a summer internship. See the Director of Undergraduate Studies for information on this issue.) The HD faculty believes strongly that academic credit does not need to be given for every experience that an undergraduate has between entering and leaving Cornell. Thus, volunteer placements during the academic year and summer, and internships during the summer are seen as having tremendous educational value, even though academic credit may not be given for them. It is possible for students to complete an independent study in HD while being supervised by a professor from another department. A professor from HD must be responsible for the independent study and ultimately is the person who assigns the student's grade (almost always assigning the grade suggested by the professor from the other department). This requires that the student find a faculty member in HD willing to do this. |
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