Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I concentrate in Social Studies?

Social Studies is a great concentration for students who are interested in studying a social science topic from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students craft their own focus fields, drawing courses from across the college and, frequently, from the graduate schools. We offer small tutorials, one-on-one advising, and a vibrant and supportive intellectual community. Social Studies students develop excellent analytical, research, and...

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Do I need to know what I want to study before I declare a concentration in Social Studies?

You don’t need to know what you want to study to declare Social Studies, but you do need to be committed to actively shaping your undergraduate education and to working closely with your adviser to identify and pursue your academic interests. Our curriculum is sufficiently flexible that students can change their focus fields, if necessary, up to the beginning of their senior year. Our curriculum is also flexible enough to allow students to complete pre-...

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I’m a first year who is interested in Social Studies. What classes should I take?

First-year students considering Social Studies may want to take Economics 10 or any upper level course for which Economics 10 is a prerequisite. They may also want to take an ethical reasoning or philosophy course to determine whether they enjoy social theory. Most importantly, students should take social science courses in areas that interest them.  For example, a student who is interested in development in East Asia should take a course on that region to learn more about the history, economics, or politics of at least one of the countries in that area of the world.  A student...

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I’m a sophomore who is interested in Social Studies. What classes should I take?

Potential concentrators must enroll in Social Studies 10a, which is a prerequisite for declaring the concentration. Sophomores should take courses in economics and statistics, especially if they are planning to study abroad their junior year, and should continue to take social science courses in areas that interest them. They might also take classes to fulfill their economics or statistics requirement and could consider taking...

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I'm interested in Social Studies but I missed the Sophomore Declaration of Intent deadline. Can I still join the concentration?

Yes. Students can submit a Declaration of Intent in the Spring of their sophomore year, and in the Fall of their junior year. The form will be due in mid-late January for second semester sophomores, and in late August-early September for first term juniors. Please contact our ADUS for First Years and Sophomores for more information. 

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I’m a high school student who is interested in studying Social Studies at Harvard. Is there someone I can talk to?

High school students who are interested in applying to Harvard College should contact Harvard College Admissions with any questions. Members of the Social Studies Committee will be happy to advise you after you have been accepted to Harvard and have enrolled in classes as a first-year student. 

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Which courses automatically count in Social Studies?

Social Studies will count all courses in Anthropology, Economics, Government, History, and Sociology, whether or not they are part of a student’s focus field in Social Studies.

Please note that for purposes of calculating honors we will include the grades in all courses you have taken that are acceptable for concentration credit, not just the courses you designate in your focus field or towards a specific concentration requirement.

What is a Focus Field?

A focus field is an interdisciplinary area of study proposed in the junior year and refined in the senior year; it should be associated with the student’s senior thesis topic. Students will be asked to submit an advisor-approved description of their potential area of study to the Social Studies Board of Instruction in the fall of their junior year. The focus field should include a minimum of four courses, normally drawn from at least two social...

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What if I want to include a course that is not in a social science department in my focus field?

Students commonly include courses outside of our five member departments (Anthropology, Economics, Government, History, and Sociology) in their Focus Fields. Typically, courses that have substantial social science, historical, or social theoretical content (e.g., more than half of the topics covered) can be counted, as can courses taught by faculty members with PhDs in the social sciences, history, or continental philosophy. If the course that you want to include in your Focus Field is taught by a faculty member with a PhD in one of these areas, all you need to do is list the course on...

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