Section A: Policies, Procedures, and Requirements.
2.1 Credits, Contact Hours, and Duration of Course:
A maximum of one credit per week of “travel” will serve as the basis for calculating credits. There is an additional expectation that the “instruction” associated with the tour will conform to University policies regarding contact hours. It is possible to combine “travel” and standard lecture/discussions to calculate the number of credits for a study tour. For example, a study tour that meets as a standard class for 17 hours and then includes 14 travel days would count for 3 credits. Variations must be worked out and agreed upon in advance with the International Studies Committee or the Department through which the credits are being granted.
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2.2 Course Approval:
If academic credit in INTS is being sought, the study tour leader should submit seven copies of a proposal to the Program Coordinator for International Studies (INTS), outlining the course content, readings, assignments, meetings, evaluative and grading procedures, and other academic information as relevant to the tour. To allow for adequate planning and advertising, it is recommended that requests for approvals be submitted six months in advance of departure. The INTS Advisory Committee needs to approve tours that will be taken by INTS students for credit. If 389 courses are offered, the department involved determines whether it will accept the credit for its students and the study tour may be cross listed if all the appropriate approvals are obtained. Special topics courses must be approved on an annual basis, either by the International Studies Committee if it’s an International Studies course or by the individual department if it is to receive a departmental, Special Studies course designation.
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2.3 Pass/Fail Option:
Juniors and seniors in good academic standing may complete the study tour on a pass/fail basis. Credits earned on a pass-fail basis cannot apply to either general education or major/minor requirements. The necessary forms are available from the Registrar's Office and must be completed no later than when the class begins. Consult Chapter VIII of the Faculty Handbook for additional details.
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2.4 Independent Study/Extra Credit:
Students may arrange to take independent study or extra credit on a study tour but these credits would be a part of the semester/on campus credit load and not count in Policy 45.
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2.5 Appeals – Academic:
Any concerns with regard to academic issues arising out a study tour program should first be taken to the study tour coordinator. If the concern(s) is not able to be resolved by the participant(s) and the study tour coordinator the International Studies Committee shall be asked to resolve any concerns and issue a written decision. If there is still concern upon receipt of a written decision for either the participant(s) or the study tour coordinator the decision may be appealed to the Provost for a final ruling.
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2.6 Appeals – Administrative, Fiscal, and Procedural:
Concerns with regard to fee payment, refunds or other study tour policies or procedures or any other concern arising out of a study tour program should first be taken to the study tour coordinator. If the concern(s) is/are not able to be resolved by the participant(s) and the study tour coordinator the Director of International Programs shall be asked to resolve any concerns and issue a written decision. If there is still concern upon receipt of a written decision for either the participant(s) or the study tour coordinator the decision may be appealed to the Faculty Senate International Programs Committee for a final ruling.
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2.7 Grading:
No more than 20 percent of the grade should be determined by attendance and participation. Allowing more of the grade to be determined by factors such as attendance reduces substantially the influence of other evaluative mechanisms, such as papers, quizzes, and so on, on the determination of grades.
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2.8 Syllabus:
The basic academic components necessary for any syllabus (outline, readings, grading criteria, etc.) should be in every tour syllabus proposal.
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