Several hundred MIT students gathered this September for the inaugural TOUR de SHASS — an academic expo showcasing the wide range of courses within MIT's School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS).
The expo gave students a chance to “Take the Tour” — visiting information stations staffed by faculty and undergraduate academic administrators (UAAs) from all 13 of the School’s fields of study: anthropology; economics; political science and international studies; foreign languages and literatures; history; linguistics; literature; comparative media studies/writing; music, philosophy; theater arts; science, technology, and society; and women’s and gender studies.
Exploring new fields and classes
Like many students, Theresa Santiano-Mchatton ’14 was surprised to discover new classes and possible areas of study: “There are a lot of new classes in different fields that I hadn’t heard of,” she said, “and I’ve been at MIT long enough that I thought I knew all of the HASS classes. It was really cool to learn about the new subjects that have been created. I found out about a Course 17 introduction to international relations class that I’m going to check out.”
That was the goal organizers said: for students to discover MIT's great range and depth of humanities, arts, and social science options, and begin to discern which areas will be the most meaningful for their personal academic and personal goals.
Catalyzed by an idea from the SHASS UAAs, the expo was organized by HASS academic administrator Liz Friedman and UAAs Daria Johnson, Karen Gardner, and Irene Hartford, with support from the Office of the Dean, and SHASS faculty.
Discovering options
Students at the event also discovered options for pursuing a double major. Hundreds of MIT students each year choose to be double majors, combining a science or technology field with economics or music, comparative media studies, literature, language, or history.
“I’m double majoring mechanical engineering and writing, said Oluwatobi Lanre-Amos, ’15. "It’s amazing that I have this opportunity to work with the great writers we have here at MIT — to have them personally help me write something.”
Empowering
Dean Deborah Fitzgerald, who greeted students at the expo, spoke about MIT's mission in the humanities, arts, and social sciences.
"At MIT we know that generating practical solutions for the world's great challenges requires technical and scientific creativity, and an understanding of the world’s complexities — political, cultural, and economic.
In their HASS courses, MIT students gain cultural, political, and historical perspectives, and skills in communication and critical thinking — all of which are foundations for success and leadership, at home and around the world. The SHASS faculty teach every MIT undergraduate, and our goal is to empower our students — to help them serve the world well, with innovations, and lives, that are rich in meaning and wisdom."
Swag!
For students who attended the inaugural TOUR de SHASS: bring your completed SHASSPORT booklet to any of the SHASS field offices during October to receive some branded gear.
Story prepared by MIT SHASS Communications
Editorial and Design Director: Emily Hiestand
Communications Assistant: Kierstin Wesolowski
