Directed Studies

Directed Studies offer students the ability to craft a course with a specific professor that addresses a set of problems or concerns of interest to the student. These courses will often grow out of a question or topic presented in a previous course. They are meant to give you the opportunity to explore in greater depth a specific set of texts that can help inform a research question, or to learn an area of scholarship that is not fully covered in existing courses.

Like any other class you take in this Department, Directed Studies require that you do rigorous work with some learning outcome in mind. You will work closely with a professor to determine what these learning outcomes are and how you will meet them.

Model Directed Study Form

Please email the department at sociology@usfca.edu for a model directed study form.

Guidelines for Directed Study Syllabus

In consultation with your directed study adviser, complete all the information required on the model directed study form (referenced above).

While you and your professor decide on the specific texts and requirements of your Directed Study, the below information details the general expectations for you to receive credit.

1 Credit Hour

Reading Load: Two Book Length Works + Two Articles or Chapters or One Book Length Work + Four Articles or Chapters

Meeting Expectations: Once a month at an established time

Writing Expectations: One to two page response paper for each work read or equivalent

2 Credit Hours

Reading Load: Two Book Length Works + Four Articles or Chapters or One Book Length Work + Eight Articles or Chapters

Meeting Expectations: Once every three weeks at an established time

Writing Expectations: 1-2 page response paper for each work read, plus a 5-7 page paper or equivalent

3 Credit Hours

Reading Load: Three Book Length Works + Four Articles or Chapters or Two Book Length Works + Eight Articles or Chapters

Meeting Expectations: Once every two weeks at an established time

Writing Expectations: 1-2 page response paper for each work read, plus an 8-10 page paper or equivalent

4 Credit Hours

Reading Load: Three Book Length Works + Eight Articles or Chapters or Two Book Length Works + 12 Articles or Chapters

Meeting Expectations: Once every week at an established time

Writing Expectations: 1-2 page response paper for each work read, plus an 11-15 page paper or equivalent