Program Overview

Introduction to SAGES

The SAGES program is a comprehensive educational experience that encompasses various thematic areas, learning outcomes, and course sequences.

Course Sequence

The course sequence includes:

• First Seminar
• University Seminar
• Writing Portfolio
  • SAGES Writing Portfolio Review Committee Reports
• Departmental Seminar
• Capstone
  • Welcome to the SAGES Capstone Website
  • Capstone Courses and Degree Programs
  • Capstone Resources and Undergraduate Funding Opportunity
  • UCAP 395 SAGES Capstone Experience
  • UCAP 395 FAQs
  • Capstone Opportunities

UCAP 395 SAGES Capstone Experience

General Bulletin Description

UCAP 395 affords students the opportunity to pursue a Capstone experience outside the SAGES Capstone courses offered by academic departments. Students must identify a project, a mentor, and an oversight committee. A Capstone experience can take various forms, but must include certain elements: critical thinking, regular oversight by the project advisor(s), periodic written and oral reporting of progress, a final written report, and a final public presentation.

Capstone Experience Content

The crucial elements of any SAGES Capstone experience are:

• Critical thinking on the part of the student
• Clear goals with an appropriate plan of action
• Regular oversight by the project adviser
• Periodic reporting of progress
• Regular writing throughout the project, including a final written report
• A public presentation at the Undergraduate Symposium and Poster Session, a conference, a performance, a public lecture, a teaching presentation, or other, as approved by the advisory committee

Oversight

The parties to the contract are:

• Mentor The person who has primary responsibility for supervising the student and guiding him or her through the project
• Project Advisor The advisor must be a CWRU faculty member and will assign the final course grade in consultation with the mentor and other advisory committee members
• Advisory Committee Students must identify a three-person advisory committee to hear and read at least one progress report during each semester of the project and to help evaluate the final oral and written reports
• SAGES Capstone Coordinator Each School/College has jurisdiction over the SAGES Capstone Program for its departments and each School/College has identified a SAGES Capstone Coordinator to oversee its program
• Director of SAGES or Designee The Director of SAGES will issue the permit that allows a student to register for UCAP 395, but the final grade will be assigned by the Capstone Project Advisor

Timetables/Deadlines

Students are expected to begin work on their project the first day of classes and must be registered for UCAP 395 by the end of the drop/add period. To allow time for review, UCAP 395 contracts should be submitted at least one week before the start of the semester.

Grading

UCAP 395 is part of the General Education Requirements of the university and must result in a letter grade using the scale A-F. The assignment of grades is left largely to the discretion of the faculty advisor, although the advisor is expected to seek the counsel of the mentor and advisory committee. If the project will extend across two semesters, a grade of R must be given at the end of the first semester, and a Change of Grade Form must be filed so that the R grade can be changed to the final grade for the entire project.

Resources for Faculty

• SAGES Writing Portfolio Review Committee Reports
• List of CWRU Classrooms
• Fair Use Policy
• The Richard A. Bloom, M.D. Award for Distinguished Teaching in the SAGES Program

How To Submit a SAGES Writing Portfolio

Details on submitting a SAGES Writing Portfolio are available through the SAGES office.