Directed Research, Directed Reading, and Collaborative Scholarly Inquiry (LAW 990, LAW 991, & LAW 992)
Directed Research (LAW 990), Directed Reading (LAW 991), and Collaborative Scholarly Inquiry (LAW 992) are independent study courses that allow students to explore a legal issue or area of law not fully covered in the standard Law School curriculum.
As explained in Law School Rule 3.13, "Directed research is similar to a seminar except that directed research does not necessarily include regularly scheduled group meetings and directed research should always have a research paper as the end product. Directed reading is similar to a course except that directed reading does not necessarily include regularly scheduled group meetings; achievement should always be tested through written work or some equivalent. Collaborative Scholarly Inquiry is similar to directed research and directed reading except that the student engages in research, writing, and related activities that facilitate the faculty member's research."
Enrollment Process
To enroll in Directed Research or Directed Reading, a student must:
- Identify a faculty member to supervise the project.
- Complete the Directed Research/Directed Reading Form.
- Be sure to include the "procedures for faculty supervision" and "the scheduled date of completion" pursuant to Law School Rule 3.13.
- Obtain the faculty advisor’s signature on the form.
- Email the signed form to academicaffairs@law.wisc.edu for final approval.
- Upon approval, Academic Affairs will email the student enrollment instructions.
Students interested in Collaborative Scholarly Inquiry should contact a faculty member directly to explore opportunities.
Credit Requirements
Please note the following credit policies:
- One credit of Directed Research, Directed Reading, or Collaborative Scholarly Inquiry requires 45 hours of associated work.
- A single Directed Reading may not exceed 3 credits.
- A single Collaborative Scholarly Inquiry may not exceed 3 credits.
- A maximum of six (6) credits of Directed Research may be applied toward the JD degree.
- A maximum of eight (8) credits of Directed Reading may be applied toward the JD degree.
- Students may count a maximum of 14 credits toward the JD degree from any combination of Directed Research, Directed Reading, and Collaborative Scholarly Inquiry.
- Credits earned through Directed Research, Directed Reading, and Collaborative Scholarly Inquiry count only toward the 90-credit rule, not the 64-credit or 60-credit rules.
Time for Completion
Unless otherwise agreed upon with the instructor, Directed Research, Directed Reading, and Collaborative Scholarly Inquiry projects shall be completed no later than the end of the final exam period during the fall and spring semesters, and no later than the degree conferral date for a summer session.
Grading
Directed Research, Directed Reading, and Collaborative Scholarly Inquiry are graded on a mandatory pass-fail basis (S/U grading).
For complete information, please refer to Law School Rule 3.13.