Identify the historical topic you want to study independently and where you want to study it. Consider off-campus research locations such as museums, parks or art galleries. List the books you are going to read, the people you will interview and the reports you will write.
Determine which faculty member you want to supervise your independent study. Approach someone who is an expert in the historical area in which you are interested. If, for example, you want to study the history of women and voting rights, ask an expert in women's studies to supervise your independent study rather than a professor who specializes in the Civil War. Ask the lecturer or professor if she is willing to work with you on your independent study and get her to help you with writing your proposal.
Write your proposal, indicating what you are going to study, how much credit you want for the project and how you want it to be assessed. Leave your draft independent study proposal for a day or so and then return to it with a fresh eye and review. Look for anything you may have overlooked in your original draft.
Get your supervisor to write a letter of support to the department chair, indicating that he will monitor your study and assess your written work.
Submit both documents to the head of the department prior to the final date for independent study proposals. Hand-deliver the papers and ask when you can expect an answer to your independent history study proposal request.