Carlos Reynolds Feature
Students Experience New Opportunities With Independent Studies
Independent Study, a course based outside of normal school curriculum, gives students an opportunity to engage in what they love whether Rockbridge County High School offers it or not. This allows students to explore their options and learn more about their passions.
The course is run through Spanish Teacher Andy Martin, who helps coordinate the study and sets students up for success in their chosen subject.
Martin was asked how a student proposes an independent study.
“A student normally talks with their school counselor about an independent study and what they’re interested in.This cannot be a course already offered at RCHS nor does it take the place of a graduation requirement,” said Martin, “Then, they come and talk with me about their proposal and I assess to make sure that it constitutes 90 hours (at least) of material to study. Then, we start the forms and acquiring a mentor process.”
Martin was then asked once a student is enrolled how do they learn the curriculum.
“Once enrolled, a student has a mentor that is an expert in their field of study. They may have a faculty member of RCPS or a member of the community at large. They meet with this person at least once every 2 weeks, said Martin, “During the meeting, they talk with their mentor about their learning, reflect, and get new material. They are to log every time that they do anything that relates to the study. Then, the student meets with me to discuss progress.”
Martin was also asked about the logistics of the class.
“An Independent Study can be a semester study or a year long study. It is a pass/fail class and can function as an 8th period if a student does not have space in their schedule during the school day,” said Martin,“The final presentation is at the student’s discretion how they want to present it. It must have something visual and must be between 30-55 minutes. Mentors are required to be present.”
Junior Madelyn Jones enrolled in an independent study in 2023 and speaks about her class.
“I study analysis of cinematography,” said Jones, “ I watch movies and analyze how the lighting, camera movement, and composition contributes to the mood of the movie and the feeling of the watcher.”
Independent study, a course meant to let students study what they love that isn’t normally offered, also gives an opportunity to learn different skills. The class allows students to gain skills such as analysis and many others that might not be taught to them. This allows students to pick up skills on their own and find what way of learning is best for them.
Throughout this experience, Jones has a mentor who helps her through the class.
“Brendan Donahue, son of Ms. Donahue, participated in an ID study of cinematography when he went to RCHS, he then went to VCU film school,” said Jones, “We communicate through FaceTime and Messages.”
All students enrolled in an independent study are required to present an end of the year presentation to their counselor and mentor.
Right now, Jones is preparing for her presentation.
“I plan on making a Google Slides and analyzing different popular movie scenes and why they make the viewer feel how they do,” said Jones.
The presentation is set up by the student in coordination with their peers. The student gives times, dates and location of their choice, but are required to reserve all equipment needed for that date. It is also recommended to attend other presentations to get a feel for how it works.
Another student enrolled in the class, Malcom Kosmas,a senior, is doing a sociology study of rap music.
When asked how he studies his topic Kosmas said, “The process for getting my research for sociology of hip hop is vast. Firstly it consists of me analyzing rap lyrics for social influences and finding songs that discuss problems/ general themes in society. especially the black community.”
Then Kosmas said,”I also read many articles, books, and case studies that pertain to topics of issue within the black community, both good and bad normalities that are heavily discussed in rap music. So far I’ve worked on covering, the over sexualization of women in hip hop, societal oppression especially from police, and Gang violence and drug usage, and the use of hip hop as a means of public protest and civil rights movement. All of these are heavily discussed topics in rap music that play a huge role in social normalities.”
When asked who his mentor is, Kosmas said,”my mentor is Mrs Clay, and I chose her for her expertise in African studies.” Then, when asked how they communicate Kosmas said,” communicate with my mentor by meeting with her every two weeks and discussing the progress of my topic and what I’ve been covering lately. Since I run the study myself, it’s mostly just a discussion about what I’ve been doing and planning with her to make sure I stay direct to my topic.”
When Kosmas was asked why he chose this study he said,”I chose this independent study because since I was little I have always been interested in rap music. I started listening to Outkast at about age 8, and I’ve been hooked ever since. On top of that this topic has so much to be discussed and is pertinent to a lot of social normalities and issues within our society. Independent study is great because I get to do something I’m passionate about every day. I plan on giving an hour-long spoken presentation at the end of the semester, and playing a few songs that show lyrics covering my issues of topic.”
For more information visit: https://www.rockbridge.k12.va.us/RCHS
