Social Studies

Dr. Anya Bernstein, Director of Studies

The Social Studies concentration is a unique program of study at Harvard College. Originating in 1960 through the efforts of a small and distinguished group of faculty, it reflects the belief that the study of the social world requires an integration of the disciplines of history and political science, sociology and economics, anthropology and philosophy. Concerned with the fragmentation caused by increasing disciplinary specialization, the faculty and students of Social Studies seek an integrated approach to the study of social phenomena that synthesizes the findings as well as the methods of various modes of social inquiry.

Accordingly, the common introduction to the concentration in Social Studies 10 is to read closely and at length some of the thinkers who have durably shaped the way we understand society, addressing the questions of how it holds together, the obligations it imposes, the possibilities for liberty and economic development it both nurtures and constrains. Sophomores in Social Studies 10 will thus study the modern foundations of Adam Smith, Mill, Tocqueville, Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and Freud; they conclude with consideration of the problematic issues posed in contemporary society by theorists of gender, language, and knowledge. Throughout the year-long sophomore tutorial the objective is to teach students to read theoretical arguments carefully and critically and to juxtapose them against historical developments and social experience.

The purpose of the junior tutorials in Social Studies is to immerse students in a detailed and focused study of an empirical, theoretical, or historical topic in the social sciences. In addition, we aim to provide juniors with skills and experiences that will prepare them to write senior theses. Social Studies 98 is organized into general areas: Industrial Societies, Developing Societies, International Relations, Social and Political Theory, and Culture and Personality. Students often develop their thesis ideas within the areas of their junior tutorials. But even when they do not, the junior tutorials provide practical examples of the kind of interdisciplinary work that Social Studies encourages.

Students develop individualized plans of study in consultation with their academic advisers. They are encouraged to identify an area of interest (for example, poverty in the US, development in Africa, or modern social theory) and to pursue it by taking courses in history and the social sciences within FAS and, if appropriate, in the graduate and professional schools at Harvard. A student who is studying poverty in the US might take two courses in government, two courses in sociology, one in American history, and one at the Kennedy School. A student who is studying development in Africa might take three courses in economics, one course in government, two courses in history, and one course in anthropology. A student of social theory might take one course in philosophy, one course in history, two courses in the government department, and one course at the Law School. Social Studies has room for all of these students, and all can communicate with one another because they share a knowledge of the core classics in social science.

In the senior year, all Social Studies concentrators enroll in a one-on-one tutorial in preparation for researching and writing a senior thesis. This is a requirement for all concentrators.

Social Studies is one of the concentrations with an application process. In 2006-07. sophomores and juniors may apply in the fall term for immediate admission to Social Studies. In the spring of 2007, we will consider applications from transfer students and rising juniors.

REQUIREMENTS 16 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. Social Studies 10, 98 (2 half-courses), and 99, the sophomore, junior, and senior tutorials.
2. Two terms of economics. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking both semesters of Social Analysis 10, by taking two courses for which Social Analysis 10 is a prerequisite, or by taking one term of Social Analysis 10 and one course for which Social Analysis 10 is a prerequisite. The economics requirement must be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
3. Two half-courses in social theory, or political or moral philosophy, selected from among courses listed in the concentration handbook.
4. Two half-courses in history or comparative history (these need not be selected only from History Department offerings). Students without an AP level background in European History may wish to take one half-course in comparative European History, 1760-1914, in preparation for Social Studies 10.
5. One half-course in elementary statistics. The statistics requirement must be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
6. Three additional half-courses in the social sciences related to the student's special field of study.
2. Tutorials:
1. Sophomore year: Social Studies 10 (full course). Letter-graded. Weekly lectures and discussion sections in groups of eight students.
2. Junior year: Social Studies 98 (two terms) required. Letter-graded. Students select among offerings including problems in historical sociology, political economy, international relations, and social anthropology.
3. Senior year: Social Studies 99 (full course, indivisible), the writing of a senior essay. Required of all concentrators. Graded SAT/UNS. Each essay has two independent readers.
3. Thesis: Required. (See item 2c.)
4. General Examination: An oral examination taken at the end of the senior year which includes a defense of the thesis and a comprehensive discussion of the student's program in Social Studies.
5. Other information:
1. The program of each student is organized around and focused on some area of special interest. Programs are reviewed each term by an adviser.
2. No more than two half-courses taken for concentration credit may be introductory.

ADVISING

Each sophomore entering the concentration is assigned an adviser who is responsible for helping the student plan his or her course of study. In addition, the adviser is that person's sophomore tutor. Whenever possible, the same adviser continues to serve in this capacity until the student graduates. When this is not possible, another adviser is assigned who shares similar intellectual interests with the student. Usually a student will meet with his or her adviser at least twice a year to sign study cards and discuss the student's Plan of Study. The Director of Studies heads the Board of Advisers.

HOW TO FIND OUT MORE

For more information, contact the Assistant Director of Studies for Freshman/Sophomore Advising, Darra Mulderry, or the Undergraduate Program Administrator, Sarah Champlin-Scharff, in Hilles Library on the lower main floor (617-495-2163).

ENROLLMENT STATISTICS

Number of Concentrators as of November