MIT SHASS Introductory-Level Subjects | Fall 2023
Suggested Introductory Subjects
The following is a list of subjects that have been suggested by the departments, programs, and sections as among those recommended for students who may not already have experience in these fields. This list is not all-inclusive, and is intended only as one possible starting point for students looking to explore the MIT SHASS fields. HASS-Exploration (HEX) subjects, for instance, provide another appropriate route, and many students will find additional subjects that match their own distinctive interests.
The full list of course offerings is available through the online subject listing and more information is always available through the departments, programs, and sections. Students should always refer to the official subject listing for updated schedules and locations. This list may not be updated after the start of classes.
Enjoy the exploration!
Fields of Study
African and African Diaspora Studies
21.A135[J]/21G.025[J] Africa and the Politics of Knowledge; HASS-S | D. Asfaha
American Studies
17.20 Introduction to the American Political Process; HASS-S & CI-H | C. Stewart
Ancient and Medieval Studies
21L.001 Foundations of Western Literature: Homer to Dante; HASS-H & CI-A | S. Frampton
21H.130 The Ancience World: Greece; HASS-H & CI-H | E. Driscoll
Anthropology
21A.00 Introduction to Anthropology: Comparing Human Cultures; HASS-S | B. Stoetzer
21A.500[J] Technology and Culture; HASS-S | H. Beltrán
Asian and Asian Diaspora Studies
21G.041[J]/21L.040[J] Foundations of East Asian Literature and Culture: From Confucius to the Beats; HASS-H & CI-H | W. Denecke
21G.043[J]/21H.107[J] Asian American History: 1865 to 1965; HASS-H | E. Teng
Comparative Media Studies (CMS)
CMS.100 Introduction to Media Studies; HASS-H, CI-H | E. Schiappa, I. Condry
CMA.614[J]/21W.791[J] Critical Internet Studies; HASS-S | A. Gibson
CMS.621 Fans and Fan Cultures; HASS-H | A. Schiappa
Economics
14.01 Principles of Microeconomics; HASS-S | J. Gruber
14.02 Principles of Macroeconomics; HASS-S | M. Beraja
14.73 The Challenge of World Poverty; HASS-S & CI-H | E. Duflo & F. Schilbach
Global Languages (GL)
21G.700 Introductory Spanish for Heritage Learners; HASS-H | Javier Barroso
21G.S81 Special Subject: Portuguese I; HASS-H | Nilma Dominique
21G.951 Arabic I; HASS-H | Muna Bruce
Global Languages offers language instruction courses at a variety of levels to suit your skills. All but ELS provide subjects for complete beginners: Arabic, Chinese, English Language Studies, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
History
21H.130 The Ancient World: Greece; HASS-H | E. Driscoll
21H.151 Dynastic China; HASS-H | T. Brown
21H.157 Modern South Asia; HASS-H | S. Aiyar
21H.160 Islam, the Middle East and the West; HASS-H | P. Alimagham
Latin America and Latino/a Studies
17.55J Introduction to Latin American Studies will next be offered in AY24-25.
Linguistics
24.900 Introduction to Linguistics; HASS-S, CI-H | A. Albright
24.917 ConLangs: How to Construct a Language; HASS-S | K. von Fintel
Literature
21L.003 Reading Fiction; HASS-H & CI-H | J. Buzard
21L.005[J]/21M.609[J] Introduction to Drama; HASS-H & CI-H | S. Alexandre
21L.010 Writing with Shakespeare; HASS-H & CI-HW | D. Henderson
21L.011 Introduction to Film Studies; HASS-H & CI-H | A. Svensson
Music
21M.051 Fundamentals of Music; HASS-A | S. Iker, D. David
21M.150 Introductory Music Theory; HASS-A | G. Saraydarian
21M.223 Folk Music of the British Isles and North America; HASS-A & CI-H | J. Maurer
Philosophy
24.00 Problems of Philosophy; HASS-H & CI-H | E. Watkins
24.01 Classics of Western Philosophy; HASS-H & CI-H | B. Brasher
24.09 Minds and Machines; HASS-H & CI-H | D. Balcarras
Political Science
17.20 Introduction to the American Political Process; HASS-S & CI-H | C. Stewart
17.30 Making Public Policy; HASS-S & CI-H | A. Campbell
17.46 U.S. National Security Policy; HASS-S | E. Lin-Greenberg
17.50 Intro to Comparative Politics; HASS-S & CI-H | C. Lawson
Russian and Eurasian Studies
21H.244[J]/21G.085[J] Imperial and Revolutionary Russia: Culture and Politics, 1700-1917; HASS-H | E. Wood
Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
STS.001 Technology in American History; HASS-H | D. Mindell, M.R. Smith
STS.011 Engineering Life: Biotechnology and Society; HASS-H | R.W. Scheffler
STS.012 Science in Action: Technologies and Controversies in Everyday Life; HASS-S | D. Banerjee
Theater Arts
21M.604[J]/21W.754[J] Playwriting Fundamentals; HASS-A | K. Urban
21L.005[J]/21M.609 Introduction to Drama; HASS-A & CI-H | S. Alexandre
21M.712 Choreography: Making Dances; HASS-A | J. Clark
Women's and Gender Studies (WGS)
WGS.123 The History of Women in Science and Engineering; HASS-H | M. Weinstock
WGS.160[J]/STS.021[J] Science Activism: Gender, Race, and Power; HASS-E | E. Bertschinger
WGS.228 The Psychology of Sex and Gender; HASS-S | C. Kapunga
WGS.245[J]/21L.480 Identities and Intersections: Queer Literatures; HASS-H | J. Terrones
Writing
21W.740 Writing Autobiography and Biography; HASS-A | K. Manning
21W.750 Experimental Writing; HASS-A | N. Montfort
21W.755 Writing and Reading Short Stories; HASS-A | F. Abbas