Stanford University. School of Humanities and Sciences. Innovative Academic Courses.

Innovative Academic Courses (IAC) was instituted in the fall of 1985 to administer three existing alternative academic programs: SWOPSI, Stanford Workshops on Political and Social Issues, UGS, Undergraduate Special Courses, and Freshman-Sophomore Seminars. SWOPSI courses, first offered in 1969, emphasized student participation and group collaboration through academic study, small-group discussion, and community involvement. UGS courses, first offered in 1966, provided a setting for teaching new or interdisciplinary methods and subjects not otherwise available at the University. Freshman-Sophomore Seminars provided communication between faculty in the professional schools and first and second year students through seminars focusing on scholarly research. IAC was discontinued at the end of the 1991-92 academic year.

Biographical/Historical Sketch

Innovative Academic Courses (IAC) was instituted in the fall of 1985 to administer three existing alternative academic programs: SWOPSI, Stanford Workshops on Political and Social Issues, UGS, Undergraduate Special Courses, and Freshman-Sophomore Seminars. SWOPSI courses, first offered in 1969, emphasized student participation and group collaboration through academic study, small-group discussion, and community involvement. UGS courses, first offered in 1966, provided a setting for teaching new or interdisciplinary methods and subjects not otherwise available at the University. Freshman-Sophomore Seminars provided communication between faculty in the professional schools and first and second year students through seminars focusing on scholarly research. IAC was discontinued at the end of the 1991-1992 academic year.