(Required for students who started Hampshire in Fall 2022 and after)
During Div II, all Hampshire students must complete a “supported project.” Such projects are intended to strengthen the Project Throughline during Div II and help students prepare for more independent work in Div III.
WHAT is a Div II Supported Project?
The supported Div II Project produces a tangible outcome (a policy, report, proposal, product, art piece, performance, community event, etc.).
Supported projects help students improve their project development and management skills under the guidance of faculty, staff, and/or community partners and peers.
Through this process, students develop the skills to complete an independent project and to relate their work to a broader community context.
HOW do students undertake a Div II Project?
A Div II Project can be undertaken through a variety of curricular structures, and may be completed during any semester of Div II (semesters 3–6). It may be done independently with the guidance of an appropriate supervisor or as part of a project-based course or seminar. Each project must be at least one semester long and comprise at least 180 hours of work.
Examples:
Division II Seminars
Project-based courses
These courses are structured around generating and executing projects.
Semesters Unbound
Some Study Away/Abroad programs, such as the Hampshire in Havana program
Robust supervised or mentored learning experiences that students can pursue at or away from Hampshire with organizations (such as schools, labs, companies, or nonprofit organizations) or with community groups.
Must be designed with the Div II project requirement in mind - discuss with your advisor
Independent Studies
A semester-long self-designed course guided by a faculty member
Must be designed with the Div II project requirement in mind - discuss with your advisor
WHERE are project ideas initiated?
Student-initiated
A student or group of students can propose a project idea to be undertaken as an independent study or Special Project
Faculty-initiated
Faculty can assign project topics as part of a class
Community-generated
Members of the Hampshire community (staff, faculty, students, and alum) or non-Hampshire individuals or organizations can propose or “sponsor” a project that meets a community need. Students can choose to pursue the project with the support of the project sponsor and designated faculty advisor. Faculty can also choose to incorporate such projects as part of a class.
HOW are Division II Projects evaluated?
Division II supported projects are defined by a framework of specific skills/competencies. The following criteria are intended to guide project scope and evaluation, and are not meant as a step-by-step plan for completing a project. Robust projects attend to these elements:
Scope
Develop and refine a clear research question and compelling project idea that addresses a pressing problem/challenge.
It should include inquiry into “how does this work go beyond me?”
Identify resources needed to complete the project, and create a plan for procuring these resources.
Planning
Formulate a detailed plan of action, including major project milestones, check-ins, and deadlines.
Identify teammates, mentors (faculty, staff, outside experts), and/or collaborators and establish clear roles and productive working relationships with each.
Background Research/ Context/ Info Gathering
Identify, gather, and review relevant sources of information. These might include written works, reports, studies, interviews with experts or stakeholders, environmental surveys, etc.
Identify and engage with project stakeholders (community members, users, etc.).
Examine information sources for their credibility and applicability.
Draft/ Prototype/ Conceptualize
Produce a draft/prototype/concept model/etc. that can be evaluated and refined.
Communication
Solicit and engage feedback from collaborators, and engage in in-process reflection
Share project process and outcome with the campus community or other stakeholder[s] via a presentation, performance, paper, installation, editorial, etc.
Reflection & Revision
Adapt/adjust/revise the project in response to feedback (change the design, adjust project scope, communicate changes with collaborators).
Discuss limitations and implications of the project.
Complete a self evaluation that reflects critically about the project.