Ways of Thinking/Ways of Doing | Stanford Undergrad

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Statue of The Thinker in front of Hoover Tower. Photo - Visual Art Services , © Stanford University

Ways of Thinking/Ways of Doing

Stanford’s innovative general education breadth system. The Ways are 11 courses in 8 Ways that you must take any time during your undergraduate years.

Aesthetic and Interpretive Inquiry (AII) - what is a book?

Your Place in the Universe

Aesthetic and Interpretive Inquiry (AII)

What can the study of books tell us about human experience? Decode the DNA of human creativity through the study of history, philosophy, literature, the arts, and other cultural practices.

Ai Leen Ko inserts a sample for analysis into the FEI Titan Transmission Electron Microscope. Credit: Linda A. Cicero / Stanford News Service

Applied Quantitative Reasoning (AQR)

Many decisions and judgments in life are made on the basis of large amounts of data, which can be imperfect and technically complicated.

Students dancing in White Plaza.

Express Yourself

Creative Expression

Give yourself the freedom to think creatively, give expressive shape to your ideas, and communicate those ideas in imaginative ways.

Diversity Mask. Photo courtesy of the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, Missouri.

Celebrate Differences

Engaging Diversity

In a globally interconnected world, an awareness and understanding of difference is crucial. By gaining knowledge about diversity, extend your understanding of the social contexts that frame our communication and collaborations.

Hand holding a cell phone.

Right and Wrong Human Conduct

Ethical Reasoning

Should the government be able to track our internet and phone communications? What constitutes right and wrong action?

Chalk board with equations. Photo by Brad Plummer.

Formal Reasoning

Your point? Based on formal rules, use logical and deductive reasoning skills to understand and respond to the challenges of an increasingly complex world.

Scholar with mass spectrometer.

Scientific Literacy

Scientific Method and Analysis

Deepen your intellectual curiosity about the natural and physical world, and hone your ability to analyze scientific information in SMA courses.

Students in conversation.

Social Inquiry

Human beings are social animals. To understand human behavior and to exercise responsible citizenship, you’ll need to be able to think critically about social orderings.

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Ways Quick Links

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