Definition
A customized course where students work one-on-one with a faculty member on a specialized topic not covered by regular offerings, theoretically allowing deep exploration of niche interests. In practice, often used to fulfill requirements when schedules don't align or to give star students special treatment.
Example Usage
My independent study on 18th-century maritime law met once a month and required a 20-page paper, which beat sitting in lectures three times weekly.
Origin
Became common in American universities in the 1960s with increased emphasis on individualized education
Fun Fact
Faculty receive the same pay for supervising independent studies as teaching regular courses, which is why many are reluctant to approve them unless you're a particularly impressive student.
Related Terms
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