Teach with SIS

SIS fosters a spirit of innovation and provides ways for participating faculty to connect with each other and expand their knowledge of effective strategies for working with students early in their careers. Courses under the SIS banner share the educational goals of student-centered pedagogy, active learning, mentorship, and building inclusive learning communities in and beyond the classroom. 

Stanford Faculty: Propose a New Course

Connect with first- and second-year students and enjoy a fulfilling teaching experience with enhanced resources. COLLEGE and Sophomore College especially welcome proposals for team teaching.

• Teach in COLLEGE, the Civic, Liberal, and Global Education Requirement
• Submit a new Introductory Seminar
• Proposing an Arts Intensive Course
• Sophomore College: A Unique Teaching Opportunity
• To teach in ESF, SLE, or ITALIC, contact the program directly for more information.

Recent PhDs: Apply for a Teaching Fellowship

SIS conducts an annual search for teaching fellows to teach in collaboration with faculty in the first-year requirement programs, most frequently COLLEGE. Learn more.

Pedagogy and Resources

All SIS programs work with faculty and fellows to develop courses to help undergraduate students thrive. SIS also has a dedicated academic technology specialist who can help you integrate technology into your classroom. Reach out to your program to learn more.

• COLLEGE offers pedagogic development and support with our partners in CTL, collaboration with postdoctoral teaching fellows, and a course incubator opportunity. Learn more. 
• IntroSems offers pedagogical guidance and Course Support Funding, including Course Assistance Funds for student course assistants and Course Enhancement Funds for field trips, guest speakers, mentor meals, film nights, and course activities. Learn more.
• Arts Intensive and Sophomore College offer support and guidance on for integrating hands-on experiential learning into a three-week immersive course taught on the block model. They also provide funding and logistical assistance.
  • Learn more about Arts Intensive
  • Learn more about Sophomore College

History of Stanford Introductory Studies

SIS was founded as a unit that would connect students with faculty. Read more about the development and mission over time.

• "Thinking Small: A new set of programs for freshmen and sophomores embraces seminar-style learning. Dubbed Stanford Introductory Studies, the curriculum reforms are based on a simple truth: bigger is not always better." (Stanford Magazine, 1999)