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Bulletin Archive

This archived information is dated to the 2011-12 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

Introductory Seminars

Participating Faculty: Over 200 faculty from more than 60 departments teach an SIS Introductory Seminar. See faculty listings in each department's section of this bulletin for pertinent information.

Offices: Sweet Hall, 229B, Second Floor

Mail Code: 3069

Phone: (650) 724-2405

Email: introsems@stanford.edu

Web Site: http://introsems.stanford.edu

Introductory Seminars provide opportunities for first- and second-year students to work closely with their peers and Stanford faculty in an intimate and focused setting. These courses aim to intensify the intellectual experience of the freshman and sophomore years by engaging students in a small group setting; introducing them to the variety and richness of academic topics, methods, and issues which lie at the core of particular disciplines; and fostering a spirit of mentorship between faculty and students. Over 200 faculty from more than 60 departments take part in the program. The courses provide department credit and many count towards an eventual major as well as fulfill General Education Requirements (GERs) including Write 2.

Freshman Seminars and Sophomore Seminars and Dialogues are offered in many disciplines throughout the academic year. Freshman preference seminars are typically given for 3-4 units to a maximum of 16 students, and generally meet twice weekly. Although preference for enrollment is given to freshmen, sophomores and first-year transfer students may participate on a space-available basis and with the consent of the instructor. Sophomore preference seminars and dialogues give preference to sophomores and first-year transfer students, but freshmen may participate on a space-available basis and with the consent of the instructor. Sophomore preference seminars are given for 3-5 units to a maximum of 14 students, while sophomore preference dialogues are given for 1-2 units to a maximum of 5 students.

All seminars require a brief application. For a list of introductory seminars offered in 2011-12, see the Introductory Seminars online catalog. For information about applying see the Stanford Introductory Seminars web site for undergraduates. Since courses are offered through the departments, specific scheduling or certifications should be checked via the Stanford Bulletin's ExploreCourses.

Due dates for 2011-12 applications for the courses are at 5 p.m. on:

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