THE STARS REMAIN

An examination of the enrollment figures just published shows clearly that although the main interests of Harvard students are the same as in previous years they are constantly becoming more critical in their choice of individual courses. The all-star cast of the social sciences, headed by Economics A, History 1, and Government 1, in the order named, is still as popular as ever. Next place goes to the literature courses, and the fact that French E and German A run into big figures is due without doubt to the language requirement and not to any inherent attraction in themselves.

Within the social sciences there has been some jockeying for position. The upshot of this is that Economics A has nosed out its traditional rival, History 1. Government 1 has lost considerable ground due to past lethargy, which promises to be overcome by current renovation. In the meantime Economics seems to have picked up more men who would otherwise be taking the Holcombe course than has History. The fact that these three remain unchallenged is one of great importance. When it is observed that only one science course, Biology D, made the grade at all, it can be realized that general interest at present continues along a broader plane and that science still belongs to the specialist.

Professors who see the enrollment figures of their pet courses slide like the quotations of a utility stock in 1929 no longer have to be told that the days when a course could go along on its own momentum are over. Undergraduates are becoming increasingly critical and observant, and their opinion, freely expressed, was the soap on the bathroom floor which sent Sociology A and Philosophy B skidding to destruction. The voice of the student body is becoming a factor of increasing importance in shaping the curriculum of the college.