A Dana Mentorship is similar to an independent study. Many Danas in the sciences do their Dana mentorship in a research lab setting and may be collaborating with others in the lab but they must have individual research assignments with definite outcomes. In social sciences and humanities, a Dana mentorship (DNA 975) typically is an independent research study supervised by a full-time Berg faculty which typically leads to a research paper. In the Arts, a Dana mentorship can also produce a research paper but can also culminate in an original artistic production.
Requirements
You may choose to pursue a full credit Directed Studies experience OR two 0.5 credit experiences. Typically, no fewer than 9-12 hours of work per week (Fall/Spring) or 126-168 hours per semester (Fall/Spring/Summer) are required for a full credit unit earned. You may choose to pursue a 0.5 credit unit mentorship (61-84 hours/semester). If you do so, you will need to pursue another 0.5 credit unit mentorship to meet the minimum Dana requirement of 1.0 credit of mentorship.
While exploring different disciplines, academic units, pedagogical styles, and content areas in your first two years, try to identify a couple of professors whose research interests align with yours and with whom you have developed a good working relationship. Approach them with as specific a research idea as you can at least a semester prior to the term during which you would like to complete your mentorship. Depending upon discipline, you may have little to no input in shaping the experience (sometimes, this is the case when you join a lab in the sciences), or you may be asked to create the experience’s syllabus (readings, assignments, assessments, etc.) along with your mentor. The only common syllabus requirement for all Dana Directed Studies experiences is to reach the following two learning outcomes:
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By the end of the Dana mentorship, students will have acquired the necessary skills to produce original work in their particular field of inquiry.
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By the end of the Dana mentorship, students will have produced a piece of scholarship or performance; or will have meaningfully contributed to ongoing faculty-led research activity, thus contributing to the advancement of a particular field of knowledge.
As soon as you know the professor(s) who will be leading your mentorship(s) and the semester during which you will complete your work, please let the Dana Director know. Once the syllabus is set or shared with you, forward that to the Dana Director as well.
