Group Independent Study Projects

Group Independent Study Projects (GISPs) are cooperative ventures in which students and faculty develop credit-bearing courses that are not a regular part of the Brown curriculum.  Participating students bear major responsibility for researching the course topic, constructing a syllabus, and planning and conducting the academic coursework.  Each GISP is sponsored by a faculty member who assesses the proposed study, provides advice during the semester, and evaluates the work of each student.

With the exception of students enrolled in their first semester at Brown, all full-time undergraduate degree candidates in good standing at Brown are eligible to initiate and participate in a GISP.

How do I get started?

First, you need an idea, a topic, an orientation, or a subject that you are truly interested in. To jumpstart this process, come talk to CRC staff and browse our library of previously approved GISPs.

Once you have an idea, start talking about it with other people. Visit faculty in their office hours to discuss how you might develop the topic. Run your ideas past other students. Ask one of the academic deans to give you feedback on your idea. Remember that GISPs on the same or on very similar topics may not be repeated for credit, except with approval of the College Curriculum Council.

Once your idea has germinated, e-mail Independent_Study@brown.edu to include your GISP on the official GISP blog. We recommend you also utilize Morning Mail, post flyers, e-mail relevant groups and departments and advertise your ideas around campus as creatively as possible. At the CRC, you will also find GISP sign-up and planning sheets, which are very helpful when getting started.

Past Independent Studies topics included...

• "Psychogeography"

• "Modern Conservatism in America"

• "Supernatural Fiction"

• "History of the Mayans"

• "Robotics: Principles and Practice"

• "Children's Literature"

• "Permaculture"

• "Dances of Latin America"

• "Contemplative Science"

• "Neuroethics"

• "Modern Hebrew and Israeli Literature"

• "Building Challenge: Green Design for Sustainable Farms"

• "Health Care Planning with the Women and Infants Hospital"

• "Marketing Research with Dean Witter"

• "Teaching English as a Second Language at the MLK Elementary School"

• "Interning for the Rhode Island Supreme Court"