Introductory Seminars begin with Departmental and Program chairpersons' commitment to undergraduate education at Stanford University. Introductory Seminars present a venue for integrating research and teaching, where faculty introduce students to the concepts and methods of their discipline. Faculty who share their research interests with first- and second-year students often find fresh perspectives and energy in the process and an opportunity to mentor a student into a major.
Introductory Seminars integrate explorations into current questions in a field together with training in critical inquiry skills. They are designed to allow students to explore potential areas of interest and to see the shape that more advanced investigations in a field might take.
As key partners, we request the assistance of department or program course administrators throughout a two-part course proposal process.