Arranging Directed Readings

Students may register for directed reading units (called independent study, individual study, or directed study, depending on the department) under the supervision of a faculty member. Generally students pursue directed readings on a special topic of interest for which there is no formal course in the Stanford curriculum. Students make arrangements individually with the faculty member and the department in which credit will be granted.

It is strongly recommended that the student and faculty member compose a directed reading syllabus at the start of the quarter. This includes readings, assignments to be completed, units earned and arrangements for frequency and type of communication between the student and faculty member. Note that directed readings may not satisfy GERs, and various other departmental restrictions may apply.