Photo courtesy New College.

As New College moves into the new year, our students are already hard at work in one of the signature aspects of our unique academic program. The month of January is our Independent Study Project (ISP) term, meaning students are wholly devoted to one thorough academic endeavor.

Every student at New College, whether they attend for all four years or transfer in from another institution, must complete three ISPs before graduating. ISPs come in a variety of forms. Some are conducted in small group settings, while others are truly individualized and personally tailored by students in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some ISPs have long histories and are offered annually, but each year there are unique offerings. Some take place largely in the classroom and are heavy on reading, others are rooted in experiential learning.

The foundation of New College’s commitment to ISPs is our insistence on the importance of undergraduate research. Every New College graduate completes a senior honors thesis as a capstone to their studies. The ISPs throughout their college career are important for building the background in conducting wide-ranging research.

Not every ISP is designed or taught by a faculty member, but every ISP is sponsored by a faculty member who ensures its rigor meets appropriate standards. Many ISPs include instruction from community members or alumni who are experts in their field, and students are also welcome to design their ISPs. The faculty sponsor examines the process and outcomes required to satisfy the ISP requirement.

In addition to being rigorous, ISPs encapsulate the intellectual exploration that is possible at New College. Interdisciplinary study is a key tenet of our classical liberal arts curriculum, and students are encouraged to consider ISPs that don’t directly relate to the degree they are pursuing. The ability to process complex ideas and examine texts outside their primary field strengthens their education.

The ISP term is also a key time for students to connect one-on-one with our dedicated faculty. One of the best values of studying at a small liberal arts college is the opportunity to form lasting connections with faculty mentors, rather than being siphoned off to work with and learn from teaching assistants. Whether an ISP is in a small group format taught by an instructor or a student designs their own by working with a faculty advisor, January is a time for building student/faculty bonds.

The topics of this year’s ISPs are as wide-ranging as ever before. Among them are studies on the environmental toxicology of Sarasota Bay, podcast production, sporting event facility management, Plato’s Republic, and community-based archaeology through the virtual preservation of historically meaningful sites.  

The new year is full of promise for New College and our community, and there is no better way to begin than with our students immersed in independent study.

Richard Corcoran is president of New College of Florida.

Photo courtesy New College.