Academics

• Are taught by Washington policymakers and professionals and Stanford faculty
• Range from 2 to 5 units
• Consist mostly of seminars, but often a speaker series is offered as well
• Are focused on health, environment, and art in the winter quarter
• Are more varied and broader in focus during the fall and spring quarters
• Are NOT cross-listed in any other department

All students participating in the BSIW Program are required to enroll in at least 12 units on Axess. 

Classes listed on Axess are finalized approximately 2 to 3 weeks before the beginning of the quarter. Students are allowed to shop for classes; however, all Axess deadlines must be followed.

Directed Reading

A directed reading is a focused, independent study completed under the supervision of a Stanford faculty member willing to advise you on your work.

Directed readings can be anywhere from 2 units (about ten pages in length) to 5 units (about 25 pages in length). If you’d like your directed reading to be counted towards your major, you should arrange for your departmental advisor or another faculty member in your department to advise you on and read your paper. You will enroll in their directed reading on Axess and once the paper is complete, that faculty member will assign you a grade. If at all possible, arrangements should be made with a directed reading advisor before you arrive at BSIW.