Registration for Special Courses

Special Reading Courses - SRC 9999

A special reading course (SRC 9999), commonly called an ‘independent study’, is an academic course that is not offered regularly in the academic curriculum. Students, individually or in groups, may approach faculty members to supervise their learning in particular academic areas when this will advance the students’ progress toward completing their degree. SRC 9999 courses are available only for regular JST degree students and GTU Common MA students affiliated with JST as their home school. The following policies apply to SRC 9999 courses:

1. The decision to supervise a special reading course (SRC 9999) is solely within a faculty member's discretion. In deciding whether or not to supervise, a faculty member should consider:

   1. whether the topic is within his/her expertise

   2. other teaching, service and scholarship obligations in the semester

   3. whether the content is otherwise available to the student(s)

2. Because classroom exchanges are important for the student’s academic development, an SRC 9999 should not cover material that is part of the regular academic curriculum.

3. Students must submit the SRC 9999 form to the Associate Dean by the end of the first week of classes. The form must be completely filled in or contain an attachment that describes:

   1. The title of the course and course level.

   2. Specific learning outcomes appropriate for the course level.

   3. A list of course readings or other content for the semester, with the quality and quantity appropriate for the level of the course.

   4. A specific statement of the assignments that will be evaluated for the student's grade, appropriate for the level of the course (e.g., a 20 page research paper).

   5. An indication of meeting times and structure.

   6. Signatures of the faculty member of record and the student’s advisor

Course Upgrades – Special Reading Course (SRC) 8888

A course upgrade (SRC 8888) is an enhanced learning experience for students in introductory courses (1000-3000 levels) who are seeking more developed content and assignments equivalent to an advanced class (4000 level). An upgrade is not simply adding more of the same level and type of readings and assignments. Students seeking an upgrade are responsible for suggesting the enhanced learning outcomes, readings and assignments, which faculty members can approve or augment, as needed. In requesting a course upgrade, students should keep the following in mind:

1. The decision to upgrade a course to SRC 8888 is solely within a faculty member's discretion. In deciding whether or not to allow an upgrade, a faculty member should consider how the content and assignments of the course can be deepened. Faculty are encouraged to consider the following as additional requirements for students seeking to upgrade a course:

   1. An extended research paper, with additional learning outcomes beyond those expected of students taking the course in its existing format. These should give attention to methodology, theological content, and scope.

   2. An extended bibliography with additional readings beyond those required on the existing course syllabus.

   3. Additional one-on-one meetings between the student and the instructor, for in- depth discussion of a book relevant to the course topic.

   4. Requiring the student to lead a class session, focused on a topic relevant to the student’s paper or broader research interests.

   5. Additional practical research, such as interviews or fieldwork related to the course topic. that will expand and extend a student's competence and knowledge in the discipline.

2. Students must submit the SRC Course Upgrade form to the Associate Dean by the end of the first week of classes. The form must be completely filled in, including:

   1. Specific advanced learning outcomes beyond the learning outcomes of the 2000 or 3000 level course.

   2. A list of additional course readings and materials for the semester. An upgrade is not simply adding more of the same level and type of readings and assignments.

   3. A specific statement of the assignments that will be evaluated for the student's grade, as agreed to in consultation with the instructor, taking into account the guidelines provided in Item 1 above.

   4. A copy of the syllabus for the course being upgraded.

   5. Signatures of the faculty member of record and the student’s advisor.

Cross-Registration for UC Berkeley (UCB) Courses

JST students who wish to cross-register for courses at UC Berkeley will need to register in Workday for “UCB 9000”. Then request the registrar to send the electronic copy of the special UCB cross-registration form, fill it out, and get it signed by all parties. You must submit a copy of the completed form to the JST registrar, and turn in the original form to the GTU registrar (who will facilitate the actual enrollment with UCB) no later than Friday afternoon of the FIRST WEEK of classes.