MIT SHASS Introductory-Level Subjects | Spring 2021
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
Anthropology
21A.01 How Culture Works; HASS-S | M. Buyandelger
21A.157 The Meaning of Life; HASS-S | S. Helmreich, H. Paxson
21A.500J Technology and Culture; HASS-S | L. Bonilla
Comparative Media Studies (CMS)
CMS.100 Introduction to Media Studies; HASS-H, CI-H | J. Reich, P. Roquet
CMS.301 Introduction to Game Design Methods; HASS-A | M. Jakobsson, S. Verrilli
CMS.587J Introduction to Education: Understanding and Evaluating Education; HASS-S, CI-H | M. Thompson, J. Gardony
Economics
14.01 Principles of Microeconomics; HASS-S | S. Ellison
14.02 Principles of Macroeconomics; HASS-S | R. Caballero
14.70J Medieval Economic History in Comparative Perspective; HASS-S, CI-H | A. McCants
Global Languages (GL)
21G.028J African Migrations; HASS-S | A. Edoh
21G.057J Gender, Race, and Environmental Justice; HASS-S | B. Stoetzer
21G.077J Introduction to the Classics of Russian Literature; HASS-H | M. Khotimsky
Global Languages offers language instruction courses at a variety of levels to suit your skills. All but ELS provide subjects for complete beginners: Chinese, English Language Studies, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
History
21H.132 The Ancient World: Rome; HASS-H, CI-H | W. Broadhead
21H.161 The Modern Middle East; HASS-H, CI-H | P. Alimagham
21H.165 A Survey of Modern African History; HASS-H | K. Mutongi
Linguistics
24.900 Introduction to Linguistics; HASS-S, CI-H | N. Richards
24.912J Black Matters: Introduction to Black Studies; HASS-A/HASS-H, CI-H | M. DeGraff, D. Fox Harrell, D. Wood
Literature
21L.001 Foundations of Western Literature: Homer to Dante; HASS-H, CI-H | J. Buzard
21L.006 American Literature; HASS-H, CI-H | L. Finch
21L.007 World Literatures; HASS-H, CI-H | W. Denecke
Music
21M.030 Introduction to World Music; HASS-A, CI-H | G. Dempsey
21M.051 Fundamentals of Music; HASS-A | D. David
21M.080 Introduction to Music Technology; HASS-A | M. Schumaker
Philosophy
24.09 Minds and Machines; HASS-H, CI-H | E.J. Green
24.013 Philosophy and the Arts; HASS-H, CI-H | B. Skow
24.118 Paradox and Infinity; HASS-H | A. Rayo
Political Science
17.309J Science, Technology, and Public Policy; HASS-S, CI-H | K. Oye, N. Selin
17.42 Causes and Prevention of War; HASS-S, CI-H | S. Van Evera
Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
STS.011 Engineering Life: Biotechnology and Society; HASS-H | R. W. Scheffler
STS.012 Science in Action: Technology and Controversies in Everyday Life; HASS-S | D. Banerjee
STS.031J Environment and History; HASS-S, CI-H | K. Brown, S. Solomon
Theater Arts
21M.600 Introduction to Acting; HASS-A | J. Sonenberg
21M.606 Introduction to Stagecraft; HASS-A | S. Rodemann
21M.715 Topics in Theater Arts: Creating the World We Want: Protest, Activism, and Performance; HASS-A (confirmed by Registar's Office) | C. Brathwaite
Women's and Gender Studies (WGS)
WGS.101 Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies; HASS-H, CI-H | A. Walsh
WGS.224 Race, Gender, and Social Inequality: Reproductive Health Care in the United States; HASS-S | L. Janiak
WGS.S10 Special Subject in Women's Studies: Black Feminist Health Science Studies; | M. Bailey
Writing
21W.035 Science Writing and New Media: Elements of Science Writing for the Public; HASS-H, CI-HW | Staff
21W.741J Black Matters: Introduction to Black Studies; HASS-A/H, CI-HW | M. DeGraff, D. Fox Harrell, D. Wood
21W.747 Rhetoric; HASS-H, CI-H | S. Strang, S. Lane