3. COURSE INFORMATION

3.1 SPECIAL TOPICS: 190, 290, 390, 590, 690

(revised 12/05/2018 faculty meeting)

Each department may set up a course or courses in selected special topics. Special topics courses examine content not covered by the current curriculum.

The course numbers are 190, 290, 390, 590 and 690. These courses are not to be confused with Independent Study 380, which is planned for study by a single student. Submit the title (limited to 21 characters counting spaces) and course description of the special topic to the registrar and report the course to EPCC. The basis for course designation is as follows:

190 - This designation will be for any special topics for which there are no pre-requisites and the content would be suitable for an entry level of study.

290 - This designation will be for any special topic for which there might be pre- requisites and the level of the content would be appropriate for a student with a suitable background in the subject matter.

390 - This designation will refer to courses that are advanced in nature with pre- requisites or permission of instructor.

590 - This designation will refer to special topics courses at the graduate level.

690 - This designation will refer to special topics courses offered to advanced standing students.

Note: It is recommended that departments use special topics courses as a way to offer a new course, but it is expected that courses that have been offered as special topics for 2 semesters be proposed as catalog courses if the course will be taught on a regular basis.

3.2 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH: 198, 298, 398

(added 01/19/2010)  Undergraduate independent research is defined as: An inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.

Each department may set up a course or courses in independent research. These courses are normally open to majors and minors in the department offering the course, however, the instructor and the department chair may choose to invite students outside their department to participate in the research project. Students may only be registered in independent research at the request of the instructor and department chair.

The course numbers are 198, 298, and 398. These courses are not to be confused with Independent Study 380, etc., or with special topics 190, etc. The basis for course designation is as follows:

198 - Independent Research. This designation will be for any independent research that is designed for entry level study of the subject in which the student would not work alone but assist in the research under direct supervision. This would normally be offered to majors or minors in the department that offered the course, or for students requested by the department chair and the instructor to participate in a specific research project as an assistant in the research.

298 - Independent Research. This designation will be for independent research that is open for any rank of student deemed ready to participate in conducting their own research. Normally reserved for majors and minors of the department offering the research opportunity, but can be open to any student upon the request of the chair of the department and the instructor. All participants must be approved by the instructor and the department chair.

398 - Independent Research. This designation will refer to research at an advanced level and permission of instructor and the department chair. Normally reserved for majors and minors in the department offering the research opportunity, but can be open to any student upon the request of the instructor and the department chair.

3.3 CAREER OBSERVATION AND INTERNSHIP: COOP 119, 319

(revised 02/15/2011 faculty meeting): Simpson’s experiential learning programs integrate classroom work with learning on the job. Two different experiences (courses numbered 119 and 319) are available and may be taken individually or in sequence. No more than 16 credits in Coop 319 internship may be counted toward graduation. Grading for 119 and 319 will be H/P/NP. See department chairpersons and director of career services for further information.

Co-op Ed 119: Career Observation: Career observation is an opportunity for students to investigate career directions while earning 4 credits. Student requirements include attendance at one (1) Co-op 119 group session and one (1) individual session during spring semester (April); a minimum of 40 hours of career observation at one or more sites during May Term; class time on campus including participation and reflection, and submission of a career portfolio. The student must be in good academic standing and must be a freshman or sophomore.

Co-op Ed 319: Internship: An internship is an opportunity for a sophomore, junior or senior student to participate in professional training, assume initial decision-making responsibilities, or engage in project-based research and development with an off-campus organization in the private or public sector. The internship may consist of from 1 to 16 credits. Students must work at least 30 hours for each credit.

To qualify as an internship the position must provide the student with professional training or managerial responsibilities appropriate to an entry level opportunity available normally only to a candidate with a college degree. The position will ordinarily require some specific academic training or skills related to a major, minor, or program at the college, and may or may not provide compensation. The student must be in good academic standing and be a sophomore, junior or senior.

3.4 INDEPENDENT STUDY: 180, 280, 380, 580

(revised 12/05/2018 faculty meeting) Each department may offer to individual students an opportunity for Independent Study. The purpose of the independent study is to provide for students an opportunity to study a topic in their area of interest that the college does not offer, and that will enhance that particular student’s ability to achieve her/his educational goals. Independent study is distinguished from independent research in that the instructor will be working with the student through material that is already known in the field. The department offering the independent study may choose to allow the course to fulfill a requirement in the major or minor. All independent studies require approval of the instructor, the department chair and the division head. The student must have at least a 3.00 cum GPA.

The basis for course designation is as follows:

180 - Independent Study. This designation will be for any special topic that is open for any student. This course will not have any pre-requisites and can be used as an opportunity for a student to explore a subject of interest at an entry level.

280 - Independent Study. This designation will be for any special topic that is open for any student. This course may have pre-requisites and requires that the student have some knowledge of the field in which the subject is being offered.

380 - Independent Study. This designation will refer to courses that are advanced in nature and would require the student have an advanced understanding of the field in which this subject is being offered.

580 - Independent Study. This designation will refer to graduate level courses.

3.5 COURSE CREDIT:

(added 09/21/2010 faculty meeting) The majority of courses at Simpson College will carry four credits each. A four-credit course normally engages about one- fourth of a full-time student’s academic focus during the term. The same logic should be applied to courses fewer than four credits. Courses normally will carry one, two or four credits. Exceptions to this will be made upon approval of EPCC and affirmative faculty vote.

3.6 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL COURSES: 197, 297, 397:

(added 09/20/2011 faculty meeting) All international travel courses offered for academic credit are to be reviewed by the Study Abroad committee and the Educational Policy and Curriculum Committee as outlined in the Bylaws, Section I of the Faculty Handbook. These courses must be approved by the faculty.

The course numbers 197, 297 and 397 are reserved for international travel courses and may be regular catalog courses or special topics courses. The basis for course designation is as follows:

197 - Travel courses with this number are open to any student. This course will not have any pre-requisites.

297 - Travel courses with this number are open for any student. This course may have pre-requisites, may require that the student have some knowledge of the field in which the subject is being offered or may require the students have academic experiences beyond that of an entering student.

397 - Travel courses with this number are advanced in nature, generally have pre- requisites and may be restricted to juniors and seniors.

3.7 DOMESTIC TRAVEL COURSES: 196, 296, 396:

(added 09/20/2011 faculty meeting) All domestic travel courses offered for academic credit are to be reviewed by the Educational Policy and Curriculum Committee and approved by the faculty.

The course numbers 196, 296 and 396 are reserved for domestic travel courses and may be regular catalog courses or special topics courses. The basis for course designation is as follows:

196 - Travel courses with this number are open to any student. This course will not have any pre-requisites.

296 - Travel courses with this number are open for any student. This course may have pre-requisites, may require that the student have some knowledge of the field in which the subject is being offered or may require the students have academic experiences beyond that of an entering student.

396 - Travel courses with this number are advanced in nature, generally have pre- requisites and may be restricted to juniors and seniors.