IDS 495
IDS 495, CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE
The purpose of IDS 495 is to complete a culminating or "capstone" experience — that is, a final paper or project that incorporates or pulls together the academic areas of your individualized major.
When you designed your individualized major, you determined the area of study in which to place IDS 495. The faculty panel member from that discipline will become the instructor of record and is responsible for the final evaluation of your learning effort. You may also have input from the remaining faculty members who served your individualized major panel.
THE PROCESS FOR COMPLETING IDS 495
Step 1. Initiating the contract:
Determine your topic for IDS 495. Some examples have included:
- An environmental management student writing a technical manual on hazardous waste disposal.
- A day care student developing a small business start up plan.
- A public relations student gaining an internship with the organizers of Grandma’s Marathon.
- A human services student completing an annotated directory of the services available to the citizens of northwest Wisconsin.
Discuss your concept with the instructor of record.
Obtain the instructor's signature on the Permission to Register for IDS 495 form. Submit this form to the DLC.
Register for the course, IDS 495.
Step 2. Negotiating the contract:
Design a preliminary proposal on a learning contract form and submit to your instructor of record. Two IDS 495 learning contract forms are attached. (If you need detailed information on developing a learning contract, contact the Extended Degree Office.)
Consult with the instructor of record as necessary and refine the contract as necessary.Sign the contract when agreement is reached.
Request that the instructor sign the contract when agreement is reached.
Step 3. Implementing the contract:
Carry out the learning activities indicated on the contract.
Meet with the instructor as agreed upon in the contract.
Step 4. Evaluating the learning:
Meet with the instructor of record for evaluation purposes, if necessary, according to criteria defined in the contract.
Submit the following materials to your instructor of record:
- a copy of your approved individualized major
- the IDS 495 contract signed by you and the instructor
- the paper or project
Instructions and forms for IDS 495: