Six Steps to Majoring in STS
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1. BACKGROUND RESEARCH: If you are considering majoring in STS, carefully read the STS section of the current Stanford Bulletin. Also, read STS Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.
2. DISCUSSION: Make an appointment with the STS Student Services Specialist, Julie Widman, or the STS Program Director, Professor Robert McGinn, to discuss the STS major; in particular, its rationale, requirements, tracks, pre-approved and self-designed concentrations, the STS honors program, careers pursued by recent STS graduates and open to you with a major in STS, and any questions you might have about STS. You are also encouraged to seek out one or more students currently majoring in STS to obtain their unique perspectives on the program. The STS Office can help you set up appointments, identify STS majors who are willing to answer questions and offer advice, and direct you to other sources of information.
3. PLAN: Get a copy of the appropriate STS Curriculum Form: B.A. in STS or B.S. in STS to start planning how you might fulfill the requirements for the various components of your major: the STS Core, Technical Literacy, and Thematic Concentration for the B.A., and the STS Core and Technical Depth for the B.S. Examples of Thematic Concentrations, Technical Literacy, and Technical Depth components approved for previous majors are available at the STS Office. If you intend to design your own Thematic Concentration, talk with Professor McGinn about your concentration idea and get his advice and approval before taking courses you hope to make part of your Thematic Concentration course package. In order to approve your declaration of STS as a major on Axess, the STS Office requires you to submit a draft of the curriculum form. NOTE WELL: Any petition to use a non-approved course to satisfy any requirement of the STS major must be submitted in writing to the STS Office at least two quarters before the quarter in which you intend to graduate and before you take the class. The petition will be kept in your STS major file.
