FAQs

Applicants will be expected to write a 300-word note introducing themselves to the professors leading the Humanities Research Intensive. We are interested in hearing about your previous experiences in the humanities, but please note that prior research experience is not necessary; enthusiasm and potential matter more than past accomplishments. Please address the following prompts in your writing:
a. Describe what you hope to learn from this experience.
b. Tell us about your main interests right now, in terms of a question you have about humanities research methods; a topic you hope to study one day; or an object, text, or genre you are currently thinking about.

NOTE: This section has a character limit of 3500, or around 500 words.

The humanities study the nature and achievements of human culture and civilization. They include the interpretation of literature and the arts, historical inquiry, the study of meaning and values (in fields like philosophy, political theory, or religion), and any other disciplines or interdisciplinary fields focused on the interpretation of culture. In particular, they include the following Stanford departments: African and African American Studies, Anthropology, Art and Art History, Classics, the Division of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages (DLCL), East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC), English, History, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science (especially political theory), Religious Studies, and Theater and Performance Studies (TAPS). They also include much of the research conducted in interdisciplinary programs like American Studies, Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. If you have a question about whether a particular subject falls within the humanities, feel free to contact jschweg [at] stanford.edu (Jeff Schwegman).

We are excited to welcome students with no prior research experience. Admission is based on promise and evidence of intellectual engagement, not previous experience. During the week you will learn methods that are applicable to humanities research in many topics and disciplines. You will finish this course feeling excited and ready to delve into more research with increasing independence over time.

No. This program is designed to teach you how to begin developing a research idea from scratch.

While the exact plans will be determined by the faculty, a typical day will look like this: In the mornings you will gather as a group, either in our classroom or in Special Collections, and the faculty will introduce materials and lead discussions about humanities research methods. Many sessions will involve hands-on work with manuscripts, books, and artifacts from Special Collections. During the afternoons, you will develop the themes raised in the morning sessions through discussion sessions, one-on-one meetings with faculty, visits to additional collections on campus, and structured time for individual work. The week as a whole is organized around helping you develop your own practice research proposal, based on an object you select from Special Collections: you will pick your object on Monday and present your draft proposal to the class on the final day. We may also take a field trip to an off-campus location, such as a museum or archaeological site.

We accept 15–20 students per year. 

Not a problem! This course is specifically designed for undeclared frosh and sophomores who have some sort of interest in the humanities or arts, but who may not know what they intend to study. Participating in research is an excellent way to explore potential interests and discover whether they might be a good fit.

The Humanities Research Intensive will be taught in 2026 by Professors Rowan Dorin (History) and Sarah Prodan (French and Italian), and they will design some of the core activities around research collections and methods in their areas of expertise. The aim of the program, however, is to prepare students for research in all humanities disciplines, and the skills you learn will be generally applicable to many fields. You will also have opportunities, both during spring break and afterwards, to connect with faculty from other departments and to learn about specific research collections relevant to your interests.   

The online application will be posted on HRI website in late September or early October and is due by Monday, November 3, 2025, at 11:59 pm.

You will be notified during the week of November 10–14 if you have been selected or placed on the waitlist. Admitted students must commit to the program by Friday, November 21, at which point any remaining slots will be offered to students on the waitlist.

Stanford offers many opportunities to get involved in humanities research that are open to all students, from supporting a faculty member or lab on their research, to designing your own project. Some of the most noteworthy include:

·      Bill Lane Center for the American West

·      Center for Spatial and Textual Analysis (CESTA)

·      Haas Center for Public Service

·      Stanford Archaeology Collections

·      Stanford Arts

·      Stanford Humanities Center

·      Stanford Oral History Program

·      Stanford Public Humanities

·      VPUE Student Research Grants (Major Grants, Small Grants, Conference Grants, and Chappell Lougee Scholarships)

HRI will prepare you to submit competitive applications for these opportunities. 

Although it takes place during spring break, HRI is formally registered as a winter quarter course. Therefore, you must leave enough space in your winter course plan to accommodate the 2 units from HRI. For full-time students, the maximum limit is 20 units. There is a university process whereby you can petition to exceed this limit, but success is not guaranteed.

The Humanities Research Intensive is a full-time, immersive experience that will occupy most of your time during spring break. The program begins with an opening reception on Sunday, March 22, and concludes on Saturday, March 28. In between, you will be in class from around 9 am to 5 pm each day, with homework assignments in the evenings. You are required to attend all sessions. In short, you should avoid making any other plans during spring break except on Saturday, March 21 or Sunday, March 29, which are free.

No. Although it takes place over spring break, HRI is formally registered as a winter quarter course. Therefore, you must be enrolled as a full-time student during winter quarter.