Chris S. '11 | December 09, 2008
"A HASS[le-free] Semester"
I took four HASS classes this semester.
What, stop looking at me like that. .______.
I realized that I'm very capable of taking four HASS classes, but not capable of taking four science classes (friend: "why are you at MIT?"). But, I do feel that the HASS department is MIT's hidden jewel that no one ever talks about.
For reference, my four HASS classes were: Introduction to Art History, Rhetoric (a different version from the one that lulu took), Japanese III, and Macroeconomics (14.02 - falls under the "Social Science" category of HASS).
Ironically, at the end of this semester I would have completed my HASS requirements for graduation (3 HASS Distribution courses, 5 HASS electives) as well, but I've only taken one course other than the GIRs in my major (7.03). Is there an "Eclectic Humanities Courses" major? =p
Anyways. I won't bore you by speaking at length about each class, although I do want to write about a few things about MIT HASS (by the way, it stands for Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences).
Pet Peeve: HASS classes do not guarantee automatic As.
"How many classes are you taking?"
"5 - but 4 of them are HASS classes."
"Wow, you must be getting a 5.0 this term!"
FALSE.
HASS classes, despite the common perception that they're automatic A courses, are not breeze-through classes here either. True, classes like 14.02 are curved a lot better than the science courses, and if you stay some distance above the average you should be getting an A, but HASS classes aren't all fun and games either. In writing classes, there are essays to write, speeches to give, and presentations to make. In Japanese classes, there are texts to memorize, drills to practice, and grammar to study. In Art History, there are dates to recall, names to remember, and paintings to scrutinize....I can go on and on.
The most enjoyable thing about HASS then, in my opinion, is that it's so wonderfully different from the science classes. Gone are the formulaic problem sets and exams (with the exception of Economics - which functions like a science class, but with a better grade distribution). In its stead, we have essays, presentations, and discussions. I've always enjoyed writing essays more here than doing problem sets, as I love the freedom of expression and the absence of a "right answer." In some regards, I was considering a LAC when I applied to colleges, but I also love the rigors of science, which I grew up with, and that's why I ultimately decided to come to MIT.
The HASS requirement is not hard to understand.
Before you graduate, you will need to take 8 HASS classes. At MIT, HASS classes are broken down into two categories - HASS-D (stands for HASS Distribution, and are classes that are supposed to be representative of their respective HASS categories (there are 5 categories, not including Language) and HASS Elective (HASS classes that are not HASS-Ds)). Within these HASS classes, you will also need to take two CI-H (Communication Intensive) classes - which basically are classes where you will need to be writing more essays and giving oral presentations in.
Finally, the last piece of the puzzle is that you need a HASS Concentration within your HASS classes. The Concentration is a series of 3 (or 4) classes in the same HASS field of study. It's designed to be a counterpoint to HASS-Ds, in providing more depth instead of breadth. You can concentrate in a variety of things - Language, Economics, Anthropology, History, Music...(see here).
Honestly, this sounds like a lot, but it really isn't. This is a list of the HASS classes I have taken up to this term and hopefully it'll give you an idea of how the HASS requirement works:
4.601 |
Introduction to Art History |
HASS-D, Category 3 "Visual and Performing Arts" |
14.01 |
Microeconomics |
HASS Elective - counts for Economics Concen. |
| 14.02 | Macroeconomics |
HASS Elective - counts for Economics Concen. |
| 17.40 | American Foreign Policy | HASS-D, Category 4 "Cultural and Social Studies," CI-H |
| 21F.503 | Japanese III | HASS Elective (or HASS-D: Language) |
| 21F.782 | Spanish II - in Madrid! | HASS Elective, counts for Spanish Concen. |
| 21F.703 | Spanish III | HASS Elective (or HASS-D: Language), counts for Spanish Concen. |
| 21W.747 | Rhetoric | HASS-D, Category 2 "Language, Thought, and Value," CI-H |
And aside from the HASS Concentration, that's a valid combination of HASS classes for graduation!
Note that I can either concentrate in Economics (have to take another class in Econ), Spanish (have to take Spanish IV), or even Japanese (have to take Japanese IV and another Japanese class). It's also not difficult to find a set of classes to concentrate in. :)
Foreign Language classes at MIT are awesome.
This brings me to another point. Foreign Language classes are MIT are SO COOL!! :)
Although MIT only teaches 5 languages (Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Japanese - Italian during IAP), I've realized (after having taken 3 classes in 21F) that MIT actually has a really high quality of foreign language instruction.
For one thing, one of the primary focuses is placed on teaching you to SPEAK, rather than just read/write (which is the default in most language classes). This is especially true in Japanese, which I started taking this semester.
For example, Japanese classes here utilize huge scenarios each class in which students are consistently asked to play the parts of different people, to ask for information, to make telephone calls - with often the entire class consisting of one extended storyline. The benefits of such language instruction is that it tries to mimic real life as much as possible, and you're not asked to provide standard responses to standard drill questions in the textbook (which is present in my language classes before MIT). What's even more intriguing is that the sly teachers incorporate the grammar, vocabulary, and drills that you're supposed to be learning into the scenario itself, so you still practice the essentials of the lesson in a very natural manner.
Although Spanish classes here are also focused on interaction, I found the Japanese model of teaching here to be the most unique approach to language courses that I've experienced. It should be of no surprise to you that course 21F (foreign languages and literature) consistently receives the highest student ratings across all departments :)
Try it if you come! Don't just always cross-reg at Harvard because they have all the cool languages - there's already a wealth of amazing classes to be found here :)
Summarize your four HASS classes, in a non-boring way?
Sure! (please note videos, aside from the nominal subject matter, does not have to do with actual course content and are provided for your entertainment - the course description, however, is accurate) =p
14.02 - Macroeconomics
Introduction to Macroeconomics, including macroeconomic data, Solow model of growth, money supply, aggregate demand (IS-LM), aggregate supply, labor markets, growth accounting, investment, consumption, and of course, discussions about the current financial crisis. Six problem sets and three exams assigned. No final.
4.601 - Intro to Art History
Comprehensive survey of the history of visual art, beginning from the Renaissance and continuing into the Modern Art of the 1960's. Leading artists, representative works, and motifs from each representative period are discussed. Includes two field trips to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts - one mandatory to write the first paper, the second as a recitation trip. Three papers, one midterm, and one final assigned. Memorization of the dates, names, and artists of key works and an understanding of the artistic trends over history required to do well in the course.
If you're ambitious, youtube "Andy Warhol Hamburger" or "Andy Warhol Empire."
21F.503 - Japanese III
Intermediate Japanese I, meets four days a week for one hour. Utilizes creative scenarios that places a heavy emphasis on the verbal usage of Japanese. Memorization of "core conversations" (or short dialogues) and vocabulary required. Periodic writing assignments and exams (includes "interview exams" - or oral exams) assigned.
Props to people who know what the salt at the end of the video is actually for! :)
21W.747.1 - Rhetoric (more specifically, Modern Political Rhetoric)
Emphasizes modern political rhetoric through the discussion of the 2008 United States Presidential, Senatorial, and State Elections. Key speeches given by both the Obama and McCain campaigns analyzed. Television political advertisements, web content, and other forms of political persuasion (e.g. Saturday Night Live satire) discussed. Three major papers with an oral presentation assigned.
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Responses To This Entry:
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I'm kind of upset that MIT doesn't offer Latin. :+(
Posted by: ρ on December 9, 2008 07:46 PM
FIRST! I still do not think that I could take that many HASS classes!
Posted by: Anonymous on December 9, 2008 07:47 PM
First!
Posted by: anon on December 9, 2008 07:49 PM
First!
and I love the last video
Posted by: Wiki Wiki on December 9, 2008 07:51 PM
lol Second?
Posted by: Alim on December 9, 2008 08:02 PM
@p:
You can cross-register and take Latin at Harvard, I believe. I took Latin throughout high school and got excited when I found someone at WILG with a copy of Wheelock's.
@ Chris:
Wow, I think I finally understand the HASS requirements. You're amazing for taking completing eight HASSes in three semesters.
Posted by: Yan on December 9, 2008 08:33 PM
MIT is actually beginning to offer Latin:
Latin I: http://student.mit.edu/catalog/m21La.html#21L.330
Latin II: http://student.mit.edu/catalog/m21La.html#21L.335
Posted by: Matt '00 on December 9, 2008 08:58 PM
What the heck does Angelika think about what you're doing? :p
Also, check out the "CookingWithDog" YouTube channel (it's not about what it sounds like) for awesome Japanese cooking shorts!!
Posted by: Anonymous on December 9, 2008 08:59 PM
I love how idiotic the economic mess sounds in layman's terms.
...and I'll pass on the HASS overload.
Posted by: Matt A. on December 9, 2008 09:05 PM
Yay! Latin at MIT; that's awesome. I wonder if there will full-on classroom discussions in Latin. I know that it is a dead language and not really used except for reading a writing, but at MIT...
Posted by: ρ on December 9, 2008 09:08 PM
*and
Posted by: ρ on December 9, 2008 09:09 PM
ZOMG
....
....
THAT LAST VIDEO WAS ON THIS WEEK'S NEWSWEEK
:D
Posted by: Anonymous on December 9, 2008 09:39 PM
I love Japanese! It's the foreign language I took in high school! (I had to Dual Enroll for it, but whatever. It was worth it)
Posted by: Narce on December 9, 2008 09:52 PM
I'm guessing that the Japanese video is a parody?? the repititions are hilarious.
..what is the actual purpose of the salt? (I tried googling but couldn't find it)
Your Spanish in Madrid looked like so much fun!
Posted by: June on December 9, 2008 10:05 PM
Any chance MIT will start offering Hebrew??
Posted by: Anon on December 9, 2008 10:25 PM
I am really glad that someone addressed this subject. Do the level I and II foreign language classes also emphasize speaking over solely reading/writing?
Posted by: sam on December 9, 2008 10:52 PM
Is arabic offered anywhere close?
Posted by: lala on December 9, 2008 10:54 PM
So I was thinking the salt was just to protect against ghosts (a custom found in Western cultures as well) but Googling turned up another interesting story.
Posted by: Niki on December 9, 2008 11:00 PM
@ Anonymous -
Angelika is actually an amazing adviser. She's really supportive of what I do and she pointed out - "you're not in a rush to graduate, so take classes that you really enjoy!"
@ June -
(to everyone else that may be wondering)
The Japanese video IS A PARODY, lol. People don't actually use the sushi platter as shoes (although it does look like the wooden shoes they have in Japan). The video's like 70% true (even the true things are exaggerated) and 30% false.
@ Anon -
You can cross-reg Hebrew at Harvard.
@ Sam -
Yes, even more so, since you hardly know much about the language and speaking is important. Something else I didn't mention is that Spanish classes are conducted entirely in Spanish and 3/4 of your Japanese classes are conducted entirely in Japanese, beginning from level I. It's quite a challenge to go in to the first day of a language class and there's no English from the very beginning!
@ Lala-
You can take literally any common language you want at Harvard through cross-reg. As long as your language isn't completely obscure, Harvard probably has it.
(and I do know a couple people cross-reg'ed for Arabic at Harvard).
@ About the salt -
So the reason I knew was what Niki mentioned - to protect against evil spirits. The oxcart story is interesting though, lol.
Posted by: Oasis '11 on December 9, 2008 11:10 PM
eh. I thought the salt was for purification? O_o but lol hilarious video. Maa maa maa maa! oh toh toh toh xD.
Posted by: Phil on December 9, 2008 11:51 PM
@lala-- i'm taking first-year arabic this year at harvard and it's really fantastic. a LOT of nightly work, and getting there is sometimes more exercise than i'm in the mood for on a cold morning, but it's worth it so far. next year, hopefully, the harvard and mit calendars will be synced and i won't have to take my arabic final in the middle of iap like i do this year.
Posted by: carmel ('11) on December 10, 2008 12:02 AM
YESSSS Prop 8 the Musical!! Oh, how I love thee, NPH. ;_;
Chris, you remind me a lot of me? X) I mean, I like math and science too (leaning towards biology), and I was originally hell bent on going to a liberal arts college...that somehow taught engineering, I guess.
How are things going for you now? What do Course 7 classes entail? Do you like your Course 7 classes more than your HASS classes, or do they vary?
Posted by: Ngozi '13 (QB) on December 10, 2008 01:03 AM
yay, all my time hounding the MIT blogs when I should be psetting has finally amounted to something useful - I found out about Latin! That is so awesome! I took a year of Latin in high school, maybe in the fall I'll take Latin II... it'll be completely useless to me as a senior (and already done w/ the HASS requirement) but oh so much fun! *squee*
Posted by: Nicole '10 on December 10, 2008 02:14 AM
Hey Rhetoric sounds like a lot of fun!!
Posted by: Banerjee on December 10, 2008 10:33 AM
haha, that japanese vid was so funny ^_^
I want to learn japanese in college (of course... I want to learn korean, latin, and french as well... :P)
Posted by: deng on December 10, 2008 04:21 PM
Haha the japanese video is so... ridiculous for lack of better words :p I think the protected species thing made me laugh the hardest.
The strict emphasis on all kinds of manners is... quite in line with the culture though (however funny it may be) :p Thanks for posting this!
Posted by: altonet on December 10, 2008 08:09 PM
@carmel'11
THATS AN ISRAELI NAME!
אני גם ישראלי, למה אתה חושבת שאני רוצה ללמוד ערבית?
אין פה ערבית בארה"ב
Posted by: lala on December 10, 2008 08:33 PM
@Oasis
So is Rhetoric is the study of people's way of speaking?
and
I'll be applying to MIT next yr. (RA - as an foreign applicant) What with all the people's excitement about '13 apps. I'm feeling quite anxious myself!! Any suggestions on what should I do to improve my MIT chances?
Posted by: Vaibhav on December 11, 2008 03:58 AM
@ Ngozi -
Hard to say, especially since I've only taken one biology class outside of GIRs (7.03). We'll see how I feel about 7.03 after the final in a week and after getting grades XD
I really love HASS classes and (this sounds bad, but...) the eclectic knowledge it offers. One of my primary goals in life is to be a person that knows a little bit about everything, no matter what the subject of conversation is. Thus, I love acquiring knowledge from all fields (and maybe that's why my HASS classes are also pretty diverse - lol perhaps with the exception of language. i love foreign languages).
@ Deng -
Next, I want to learn French and Korean. I'm fully intending to take French I when I stop having scheduling conflicts!!
(also I want to take Korean somewhere. It's so sad that there's probably going to be conflicts w/ Korean fall term next year *tear)
@ Vaibhav -
Aristotle: Rhetoric is the faculty of discovering in any particular case all of the available means of persuasion.
Posted by: Oasis '11 on December 11, 2008 04:29 AM
Rhetoric sounds really interesting!!:D
Posted by: Vaibhav on December 11, 2008 10:48 AM
You dropped 5.12! :( While you have a slight advantage for it in the spring, I've heard the profs are harder in the spring and more douchebaggy.
Posted by: Cowardly Anonymous on December 14, 2008 07:11 PM
@lala
Note that Arabic at Harvard (and some other intense language subjects there) is 15 credits / semester, rather than the typical 12 credits / semester. If you plan to take it freshman year, be sure to be mindful of your credit limit. You may also have to do some advance planning to ensure future semesters don't conflict with classes you need to/want to take.
And, yes, as Carmel said it's tons of work... and the second year is even worse... But still rewarding (but still tons of work).
Posted by: elijahjt '11 on December 15, 2008 03:39 PM
