MIT Humanities

[Anonymous]

Most people think of MIT strictly for engineering and the sciences. However, their humanities department looks impressive. Anybody have any first hand knowledge of this program? No field in particular. Just curious of the reputation and strength of the department.

[Anonymous]

I think some social sciences like linguistics are also very well reputed.

[Anonymous]

You are thinking of Noam Chomsky.

[Anonymous]

Yes, as a matter of fact I am.

But not only Chomsky.

[Anonymous]

The have an excellent economics department...

[Anonymous]

Just so you know - even as a humanities major at MIT you still have to take calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology.

[Anonymous]

They have some very good faculty, and they apparently have the best media studies department in the country (a friend of mine went to grad school for media studies there). My good friend went to MIT and studied math and computer science, but she very much enjoyed her humanities classes at MIT. She was actually required to take more of them than I was as a science major at a SLAC! I think that MIT really does try to make sure that the kids who graduate are well rounded people and know how to write and communicate.

I think part of it is that students who get into MIT are all around great students. There are not so many students who are B English students but super-geniuses at math at MIT, despite the stereotypes (most of these kids are 5 on the AP English exam types). MIT is so selective, that it can choose kids who are strong all around, and many of those kids, although they are STEM focused, are good at/do enjoy taking humanities classes. They also can attract great professors and scholars because it is a school with a fantastic reputation filled with bright people. I don't know that that many people actually major in the humanities, but the curriculum is strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just so you know - even as a humanities major at MIT you still have to take calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology.

Is that a core requirement at most colleges? Or at least some lower level math and science?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just so you know - even as a humanities major at MIT you still have to take calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology.

Is that a core requirement at most colleges? Or at least some lower level math and science?

We did the tour. The courses are the entry level and NOT the more advanced levels. Most of the MIT students never attend entry level courses anyway since as STEMs, they're far above and beyond entry level biology etc.

[Anonymous]

as STEMs. That sounds goofy.

To answer the PP's question, yes, most schools require some math and science, however most schools do not require math through calculus and only require one year or two credits of science (e.g. not biology, chemistry, AND physics, but one of the three, or occasionally things like geology or astronomy will do).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just so you know - even as a humanities major at MIT you still have to take calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology.

Is that a core requirement at most colleges? Or at least some lower level math and science?

We did the tour. The courses are the entry level and NOT the more advanced levels. Most of the MIT students never attend entry level courses anyway since as STEMs, they're far above and beyond entry level biology etc.

Most of the MIT undergrads attend the entry level courses - at least in physics. I taught them. The MIT requirements are higher level than would be expected at most other universities. There are no Rocks for Jocks or Physics for Poets classes.

[Anonymous]

Many of the humanities classes are good, but they are not at the same level in many departments, such as history, classics, or art as top colleges that aren't tech focused (Princeton, Yale, etc).

Some departments, are, however, very good. Econ, business, linguistics, music is very respectable. History of science is excellent. Philosophy is also quite good and as a PP noted, media studies is excellent.

If you are looking to major in humanities (with a few exceptions above), pass MIT up. But don't avoid MIT because you might want to take some good humanities as an undergrad. That's really all there is to know

[Anonymous]

You can also take some liberal arts classes at Wellesley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:as STEMs. That sounds goofy.

To answer the PP's question, yes, most schools require some math and science, however most schools do not require math through calculus and only require one year or two credits of science (e.g. not biology, chemistry, AND physics, but one of the three, or occasionally things like geology or astronomy will do).

Really?

[Anonymous]

Really?

Yes, you can generally get your math credit through another course, if you really want to. Like statistics, for example, or math topics. Even at elite universities. I am not making this up.