Directed Reading

Guidelines for Designing, Proposing, and Enrolling in a Directed Reading 
CCSRE | Updated March 2023

Like any other class, an independent study has an instructor and a course number. Unlike other classes, however, an independent study is "independent" because the student and faculty advisor co-design the course's scope, materials, and expectations. Directed Readings in CCSRE require the supervision of a CCSRE Senior Lecturer, A CCSRE Associate Director, or a CCSRE Tenure-Line Faculty Affiliate as well as approved by the CCSRE Academic Programs team.

Proposals for Directed Readings in CSRE, ASIANMST, CHILATST, NATIVEAM, or JEWISHST should be written in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Proposals must be submitted to CCSRE Academic Programs by week 8 of the quarter preceding the proposal Directed Reading. The CCSRE Academic Programs team will review proposals and notify students and faculty advisors of the status of the proposal by Week 10. 

Proposal Instructions 

Proposals should be 2-3 pages in length and must include: 

  • A narrative of how the Directed Reading fits into the student's academic trajectory in CSRE
  • A description of how the Directed Reading fills a crucial gap in Stanford's curricular offerings
  • Desired unit count, and an articulation of why the unit count is appropriate (note that each unit of credit must represent 3 hours of work weekly) 
  • A schedule of readings 
  • A schedule of synchronous meetings with the faculty advisor (note that students and faculty members must plan to meet synchronously at least biweekly and must check in at least weekly) 
  • A description of how the faculty advisors will assess student learning, including any pertinent assignments and due dates
  • The process (if any) for revising the reading or assignment schedule over the course of the quarter 

 

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