Getting Started in the Humanities
Stanford’s eleven humanities departments explore the historical, literary, artistic, and cultural dimensions of the human experience. Classes in these subjects provide you with tools of creative and critical reflection and expression. Here are some tips for connecting with the Stanford humanities community:
- Attend a “Choosing Courses in the Humanities” or “Engaging with Faculty” session with a humanities professor during New Student Orientation and introduce yourself after the Q&A.
- Sign up for an Introductory Seminar or enroll in a Gateway Course taught by a humanities professor. These freshman-friendly classes offer great opportunities to explore new subjects and interact with faculty. (Check the Gateway Courses link later this summer for an updated list).
- During autumn quarter, ask your humanities professors for course recommendations for the winter and spring, or meet with a student services officer or peer mentor in a department where you’d like to take a course. Don’t be afraid to email faculty whose work you want to learn more about.
- Check out the new humanities dorm, a center for the undergraduate humanities community on campus. Even if you aren’t a resident, you can still participate in a wide range of house activities.
- Apply to work with faculty as a research assistant at the Center for Spatial and Textual Analysis (CESTA), Stanford’s pioneering digital humanities lab. Check out the list of current projects and email Matt Bryant (mattbryant.stanford@gmail.com) to apply. Or, take a digital humanities class to learn more about this exciting new field.
