What is a Concentration?
A HASS concentration consists of at least 3 or 4 subjects (some fields require 3, some 4) that together provide an increased knowledge in that particular field. This experience is not as intensive as majoring or minoring, but it does provide a good understanding of subject matter and methodologies.
Approved Fields of Concentration
American Studies
Ancient and Medieval Studies
Anthropology
Archaeology and Archaeological Science
Black Studies
Comparative Media Studies
Development Economics
East Asian Studies
Economics
Ethics
Ethnic Studies
Foreign Languages and Literatures
- Chinese
- ELS
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Other Languages
- Studies in International Literatures and Cultures (SILC)
History
History of Architecture and Art
Labor in Industrial Society
Latin American Studies
Linguistics
Literature
Middle Eastern Studies
Music
Philosophy
Physical Imagination (Dance)
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Russian Studies
Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
Theater Arts
Urban Studies
Visual Arts
Women's and Gender Studies
Writing
Overall Guidelines
- The subjects used for a HASS concentration must be taken for a letter grade or under the Freshman Pass/No Record option.
- The concentration subjects should be approved in advance by a concentration advisor.
- Depending on the department, the concentration may include one or more HASS-D subjects, but only one of these may be counted toward the HASS-D Requirement.
- The concentration may include subjects taken outside of MIT, with the concentration advisor’s approval. Students may concentrate in a language not taught at MIT; consult with the Concentration Advisor for Other Languages.
- Students may concentrate and minor in the same field (see “Expanding a Concentration into a Minor,” below).
The Concentration Advisor
For a list of current HASS concentration advisors and field offices, click here.
Forms and Timing
The Concentration Proposal Form
- Pick up a HASS concentration proposal form, available from the HASS Education Office (14N-410), the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming (7-104), the Student Services Center (11-120), and the concentration field offices and advisors.
- After working out your concentration subjects, obtain the concentration advisor’s signature and submit the light yellow (“canary”) copy of the form to the HASS Education Office. Distribute the other copies as indicated at the bottom of the form.
- Ideally, you should submit this form by the end of your sophomore year.
The Concentration Completion Form
You must file a HASS concentration completion form (available from the same sources as the concentration proposal form) by the end of the first week of your final term at MIT, whether or not you are taking some of your concentration subjects during that term. Here are the procedures to follow in each instance:
- If you have completed all of the subjects in your concentration, pick up the white copy of your HASS concentration proposal form from the concentration field office and bring it, along with your unofficial transcript and a blank HASS concentration completion form, to the concentration advisor. The advisor will certify completion of the requirement. Submit the canary copy of the completion form to the HASS Education Office, and distribute the remaining copies as indicated on the bottom of the form. You may file the completion form at any point after you have completed the subjects in your concentration—there is no need to wait until your final semester—but you must do so by the deadline above in order to avoid a $40 late fee.
- If you are taking any of your concentration subjects during your final term, note the subject/s in the space provided on the concentration completion form. Bring the form, an unofficial transcript, the white copy of your concentration proposal form, and a copy of your registration sheet or a status-of-registration form to the concentration advisor, and obtain the advisor’s signature. Submit the canary copy to the HASS Education Office. Failure to take these steps by deadline above will result in a $40 late fee. Once a passing grade has been reported, the Registrar will record that the concentration is complete.
Revising or Switching Your Concentration
All changes within your concentration must have prior approval from the concentration advisor. Pick up the white copy of your original concentration proposal at the concentration field office, and have the concentration advisor sign and date the changes; then bring a photocopy of the amended form to the HASS Education Office. To switch to a different concentration, inform the office of the concentration you are dropping and fill out a new concentration proposal, indicating your old concentration field in the space provided.
Expanding Your Concentration into a Minor
After completing your HASS Concentration Requirement, you may find that you wish to continue exploring that field. By adding two or three subjects, you can build your three- or four-subject concentration into a six-subject minor. You may concentrate and minor in the same field, and use the same classes for both. The advisors for your concentration and minor may be different; check the list of HASS Minor Advisors. Please note: Students minoring in their concentration field must still file both concentration forms.
Special Interdisciplinary Concentrations
In rare cases, the Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences may approve a concentration that is not on the list of regular HASS Concentrations. Proposals for special concentrations should be done as early as possible, preferably in the sophomore year, and submitted to the HASS Education Office; please make an appointment with Dr. Bette Davis.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology