WINTER STUDY COMMITTEE

Williams College, Williamstown, MA  01267

                                                                                                                                    Committee

                                                                                                                                    Ollie Beaver, Chair             

                                                                                                                                    Larry Kaplan

                                                                                                                                                                                Sara LaLumia

                                                                                                                                                                                Nathan Sanders

                                                                                                                                                                                Barbara Casey

                                                                                                                                                                                Paula Consolini

                                                                                                                                                                                Lori DuBois

                                                                                                                                                                                Jonathan Morgan-Leamon

                                                                                                                                                                                Peter Drivas ‘11

                                                                                                                                                                                Allison Gardner ‘10

                                                                                                                                                                                Muhammad Asad Liaqat ‘11

                                                                                                                                                                                Adrian A. Zackheim ‘09

                                                                                                                                                                                   

April 2009

 

To:                   incoming Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

From:               The Winter Study Committee

Subject:            Winter Study 99 Projects for January 2010

 

            Last January, more than 120 independent projects (99's) were conducted by sophomores, juniors, and seniors during Winter Study. If you have an idea for a 99 that you wish to undertake this coming January, you need to get started now. After reading the "Winter Study Program (WSP) 99s” which includes guidelines for what makes a good 99, you should contact potential faculty sponsors as soon as possible. (If you are considering pursuing an economics 99, in addition to reading the brochure, you should reference the "Economics Department Guidelines for WSP Internships and Other 99's" online—www.williams.edu/Registrar/winterstudy/economics.html. If you are considering pursuing an anthropology or sociology 99, you should reference the “Anthropology & Sociology Guidelines for WSP Independent Projects” online—www.williams.edu/Registrar/winterstudy/anso.html.) The 99 application is available online at www.williams.edu/Registrar/winterstudy/99direct.html. The timetable for application is:

 

            Before October 1.  Discuss project with potential faculty sponsor(s). Conduct background library research needed to construct a credible bibliography. Identify any resources (library materials, audio visual equipment, computers, etc.) that will be needed and confirm that they will be available. For internships and research apprenticeships, obtain a letter confirming the position (due December 1st at latest; include with application if possible). For academic programs, a formal brochure detailing the dates and course of study must be submitted to the Registrar's Office.

 

            October 1.  Completed application is due to faculty sponsor. If the faculty member agrees to sponsor the project, the applications will be passed on to the department for review and, if acceptable to the department, to the Winter Study Committee for a final review. THE WINTER STUDY COMMITTEE STRESSES THAT REJECTIONS OF INDEPENDENT PROJECTS MAY BE APPEALED ONLY ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE COMMITTEE WAS MISTAKEN IN REJECTING THE PROPOSAL. STUDENTS MAY NOT REDRAFT OR REVISE INADEQUATE PROPOSALS. It behooves you, therefore, to develop a strong proposal in the first place. There will be no second chances.

 

            Please note that you still need to register for Winter Study. Registration will take place online from 21 October-25 October. At that time, you will select five choices, including the 99 as your first choice.

 

            Again, we urge you to start working on your proposal now. It takes time to construct a proposal that effectively conveys the creative or intellectual focus of your project and sets forth a clear, workable, structure. Most students report that the time and effort required to put together a successful proposal is paid back in the form of a richer experience during January. We look forward to reading your proposal.