Begin your proposal with a statement of purpose. Describe, in one or two sentences, exactly what you plan to accomplish with this course of study.
Elaborate on your statement of purpose by discussing your subject and summarizing your approach to the research.
Outline your rationale for this project by describing how it will assist you with your studies and your future career.
Describe your methodology -- the steps you will take to complete your independent study in detail. Explain how each step fits into your purpose.
List your bibliography -- the books, films and other media you will use in your research. You are not required to use all of the resources and the list does not have to be complete. It should reflect a variety of perspectives on your topic and touch each aspect of your research.
Create a list of assignments that your sponsoring professor will use to evaluate your progress. These can be papers or projects, but each should serve a purpose and have clear guidelines.
Compare your proposal to the list of requirements provided by your college. Make sure you have included all requested information and directly addressed any questions.
Review the proposal with the faculty adviser who will supervise your work, and make any changes needed based on your discussion.
Fill out any additional request forms as outlined by your college.