Academic Expectations

All students are expected to be familiar with the Academic Code.  For international students, it is important to keep in mind that the United States system of higher education may carry different standards or expectations from those of your home country or countries.  If you have any questions, please consult with professors, the Office of the Dean of the College, or the Writing Center.

Academic Advising

Dean of the College

University Hall, 2nd floor

Located in University Hall, the Office of the Dean of the College oversees all aspects of the undergraduate academic experience at Brown, including International Certification Policies and Procedures.  Deans hold open office hours every day.

The Office of the Dean of the College includes multiple resource centers available to help you make the most of your educational experience at Brown.

• Advising Central (J. Walter Wilson, Room 313):  Drop in to discuss academic plans, expand individual networks of support, and connect with faculty and academic advisors.
• Curricular Resource Center (Stephen Robert '62 Campus Center, Room 228): Visit the CRC to learn how to best engage with Brown's curriculum and utilize its academic resources. Student coordinators share their expertise with their peers, advising about proposing and implementing independent study projects, finding experiential learning opportunities away from Brown, planning for life after graduation, and maximizing the campus's resources.
• The Science Center (Sciences Library, 3rd Floor):  Visit the Science Center to find a tutor, join or organize a study group, and to learn more about research opportunities at Brown.
• Office of International Programs (J. Walter Wilson, 4th Floor): Opportunities and programs to study away from the United States.
• Swearer Center for Public Service (25 George Street):  Through programming, advising, and fellowships, the Swearer Center engages the university in collaborations with local partners to strengthen communities and prepare students to lead lives of effective action.

Language Resources

The Writing Center

J. Walter Wilson, Room 213

The Writing Center is staffed by graduate students from a variety of academic disciplines. Staff members are experienced writers and teachers who participate in ongoing training in composition and Writing Center theory and practice. In addition to holding one-on-one conferences with an English as a Second Language (ESL) specialist, non-native speakers of English can receive additional writing support through workshops and small group discussions.  The Center also has grammar and writing resources available on-line, including a section an ESL/ESOL section.

Some recommended articles and textbooks, include:

• Writing Matters: A Handbook for Writing and Research by Rebecca Moore Howard and published by McGraw Hill 2011.
• Easy Writer: A Pocket Guide by Andrea A. Lunsford and published by Bedford/St Martin's 2010 [available in the Brown Library]
• Critical Writing and Thinking by Susie Castellanos (PhD, Brown, 2000)
• Elements of an Essay, originally created by Gordon Harvey at Harvard, and then adapted by Elizabeth Taylor of Brown University 
• Penning the Past: Advice on Writing in the Historical Disciplines by Alyssa Lodewick of Brown University 

General Inquiries and Appointments: Writing_Center@brown.edu

ESL Writing Support: ESL_Writing_Center@brown.edu

Language Partners Program

The Language Partners Program pairs native English-speaking students studying a foreign language with students who are native speakers of that language and who desire to improve their English.

English for International Teaching Assistants

Non-credit courses designed for international graduate students who require English language certification before serving as teaching assistants in their departments.