Independent Study Courses

Work with a faculty member on your own research and/or project - a great opportunity to investigate personal interests in-depth with faculty supervision and support. Note: Code is dependant on research/project content and supervising faculty member expertise (SDS, SOCWK, PSYCH, SOC)

Eligibility

Independent Studies (398R, 399R)

  • SDS Major average of 80% or higher

Special Studies (490R)

  • SDS Major average of 80% or higher
  • Level at least 3A

Application

  • Email sds@uwaterloo.ca for an application form at least 1-2 months before the start of term.
  • Confirm a supervisor from within the SDS department and work with them on the form.
  • Submit form before the first Friday of the new term.

Course Descriptions

Independent Studies

SDS 398R, SDS 399R, SOC 398R, SOC 399R, SOCWK 398R, SOCWK 399R, PSYCH 398R, PSYCH 399R

Interdisciplinary/Sociology/Social Work/Psychology focus, in greater depth than is available in other courses, on a selected area of concern to the student. Available to individuals or small groups of third- or fourth-year Social Development Studies students and arranged with one of the program's faculty members.

[Note: Normally, a student may take only two of the Independent Studies courses, SDS 398R, 399R; PSYCH 398R, 399R; SOCWK 398R, 399R; SOC 398R, 399R. Formerly ISS 398R]

Department Consent Required

Special Studies

SDS 490R, SOC 490R, SOCWK 490R, PSYCH 490R

An independent, in-depth study, based on empirical research and/or extensive reading from Sociology/Social Work/Psychology/multiple disciplines on a contemporary social issue under the direction of individual instructors in Social Development Studies. Available to individuals or small groups of Social Development Studies majors and arranged with one of the faculty members from the plan. The project must be approved by the academic supervisor of the course prior to registration.

[Note: Normally, a student may take only two of the following: PSYCH 490R, SOC 490R, SOCWK 490R, SDS 490R, SDS 499A and SDS 499B. Formerly ISS 490R]

Department Consent Required

Prereq: Level at least 3A