Reading course vs. seminar courses?

[WhyPhD]

In my program, the courses offered for the winter term are not in the  area of my interest, except for one. In other departments too, believe it or not, I couldn't find seminar courses that I was looking for.

 

However, there are reading courses offered by my program (that apparently you can choose their subjects). But I have no idea if they are better or worse than seminar courses and how productive they are? Apart from their usefulness, don't they look bad on your transcript, especially if they are more than one? 

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. 

 

 

[jeffster]

It seems like this is pretty specific to your department.  You should speak with an advisor.

 

I don't see why they would look bad on your transcript though.  If anything a self-driven study course could be quite a plus, where you show you can step up and self-motivate.

[danieleWrites]

In my department in my university, reading courses apply only to what they call the reading year and have to do with the comprehensive exams. Seminar courses are different. We are required to complete all coursework, including a specific number of seminar courses, prior to enrolling in a reading course. Every university does things differently.

 

You should speak with your adviser.