HASS Exploration Subjects

HASS Exploration (HEX) subjects are classes that approach topics from different disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives. They are recommended by MIT faculty to undergraduates as an option to become familiar with various methodologies in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. HEX subjects are taught by MIT faculty - presenting students an opportunity for faculty interaction.

Do HEX subjects count towards the HASS Requirement?

Yes, all HEX subjects may count towards the HASS Requirement. They can be used towards the Distribution, categories are noted in the online subject listings, or can be used as a HASS Elective.

Subjects offered AY 2013-14:

Fall 2013

21A.01 How Culture Works*
HASS-S; (HASS-D 4)
Units: 3-0-9
M. Buyandelger, H. Paxon

21H.001 How to Stage a Revolution*
HASS-H; CI-H; (HASS-D 5)
Units: 3-0-9
L. Ekmekcioglu, J. Ravel, C. Wilder

21H.007 Empire: Introduction to Ancient and Medieval Studies
HASS-H; CI-H; (HASS-E)
Units: 3-0-9
A. Bahr, W. Broadhead, E. Goldberg

21L.017: Art of the Probable*
HASS-H; CI-H; (HASS-D 2)
Units: 3-0-9
N. Jackson, A. Kibel, S. Raman

21L.020 Globalization: The Good, the Bad and the In-Between*
HASS-H; CI-H; (HASS-D 4)
Units: 3-0-6
M. Resnick

21M.013J The Supernatural in Music, Literature and Culture*
HASS-A; HASS-H; CI-H; (HASS-D 3)
Units: 3-0-9
C. Shadle, M. Fuller

21M.223 Folk Music of the British Isles and North America*
HASS-A; CI-H; (HASS-D 3)
Units: 3-1-8
W. Donaldson, R. Perry

Spring 2014

17.28 The War at Home: American Politics and Society in Wartime
HASS-S; (HASS-E)
Units: 3-0-9
A. Berinsky, C. Capozzola

17.33 Building a Better World
HASS-S; CI-H; (HASS-E)
Units: 3-0-9
C. Lawson

21H.009 The World: 1400-Present
HASS-H; (HASS-E)
Units: 3-0-9
J. Ravel, H. Nagahara

24.912: Black Matters: Introduction to Black Studies*
HASS-A; HASS-H; CI-H; (HASS-D 4)
Units: 3-0-9
Staff

* enrollment managed through the HASS-D lottery

HEX Background

In 2006, the Task Force on the Undergraduate Educational Commons recommended the creation of a Program of subjects geared towards first-year students that would provide an entry into the study of humanities, arts, and social sciences at MIT. Since then, faculty have fostered a group of experimental subjects designed to accomplish these goals. The Subcommittee on the HASS Requirement was charged with assessment and oversight of the HASS Exploration Program. More information about the Program assessment can be found on the Reports page.

MIT instructors interested in teaching in the HASS Exploration Program can contact the Subcommittee on the HASS Requirement, their Department Head, or SHASS Dean's Office for more details.