Random thoughts on “Intellectual Initiative”:
See http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/initiative?s=t [number 3]
Do not ask me what it is. For if you ask me what initiative is and I try to tell you, then it ceases to be initiative and turns into another “check box” requirement. (Like this: You told me that whatever-I-did would be initiative, therefore I have demonstrated it.) Initiative doesn’t work like that.
You are ceratinly free to ask students from previous years what they did to earn initiative, or even students from this term what their respective attempts may be, but repeating that activity does not guarantee the same outcome. And I am not permitted by law and University policy to discuss other students' marks with you.
However, I will say that it is a process, not a product.
The manors of demonstrating initiative will vary from class to class, but will generally take one of two forms:
a significant and exceptional additional piece of academic work;
consistent initiative shown throughout the term.
The mere submission of an attempt to show initiative does not automatically qualify as initiative. The work submitted to show initiative must be excellent.
The last day of class is too late to start.