Social Studies 10 May Alter Syllabus

In the most dramatic curriculum change since its inception in the early 196s, the Committee on Social Studies may add gender studies to the syllabus of the concentration's introductory class next year.

Social Studies 10, the foundation course of the interdisciplinary concentration, will include a new three-week unit if the recommendations of a curriculum sub-committee are approved by the rest of the social studies faculty next week.

The new unit, titled "The Formation of Civil Society," would focus largely on how gender affects the organization of society and government.

The introductory course has focused on seven traditional major theorists in the various social sciences disciplines.

"The reading list had begun to take on a writ of sanctity," said Martin H. Peretz, lecturer on social studies. "If you checked the first reading list [for Social Studies 10] with the last list, 75 percent of it would be identical."

Social Studies Director of Studies Judith E. Vichniac said faculty have not yet decided which new theorists could be studied. But Peretz said the list will likely include feminist authors such as Nancy Chodorov and Susan Okun.

Readings of sociologist Emile Durkheim, political philosopher John StuartMill and economist Adam Smith will be condensed ormodified to allow time for the new section,Vichniac said.

The changes are necessary to keep thecurriculum relevant and up-to date, Social Studiescommittee chair Charles S. Maier '60 said.

"There is now a body of thought which suggeststhat gender is a significant variable in the wayhuman society is organized," said Maier, who isalso Krupp Foundation Professor of EuropeanStudies. "It's important for our students to lookat that body of theory."

The changes emerged out after consultation withsocial studies undergraduates, who met withprofessors last fall. During the winter, thesubcommittee considered student suggestions andformulated the new proposal.

Student representatives on the subcommitteewere enthusiastic about the possible additions tothe curriculum. The present readings on women inthe works of Mill and psychoanalyst Sigmund Freudare not adequate, they said.

"In the 19th century, women were just in thedomestic sphere," said Sara S. Song '96, "Only themore recent thinkers address women and theirstatus in society."

Christina Ho '95 agreed. She said in anincreasingly global world, the social studiescanon should reflect a more diverse perspective ofsociety.

"Contemporary gender theorists give students acomplete picture," Ho said.

But not all social studies professors favor thesuggested changes. One faculty member, speaking oncondition of anonymity, said the proposed changesare unnecessary and may dilute the social studiesconcentration.

"The old program helped students understandsthe context of social theory," he said."Contemporary theory leaves a gap to the past thatmay not be filled."

Peretz said the authors selected may notprovide the best perspective on gender issues.

"[They] should instead examine the scientificaspects of humankind," said Peretz. He said thedepartment is "curiously crimped" by not exploringscientific theories about gender divisions.

Associate Professors of History and of SocialStudies John J. McCole, the course head for SocialStudies 10, said the ultimate curriculum decisionwill likely be made by consensus among the socialstudies faculty.

McCole, who is leaving Harvard at the end ofthe term, said his successor may make additionalchanges to the course syllabus or reading list

The changes are necessary to keep thecurriculum relevant and up-to date, Social Studiescommittee chair Charles S. Maier '60 said.

"There is now a body of thought which suggeststhat gender is a significant variable in the wayhuman society is organized," said Maier, who isalso Krupp Foundation Professor of EuropeanStudies. "It's important for our students to lookat that body of theory."

The changes emerged out after consultation withsocial studies undergraduates, who met withprofessors last fall. During the winter, thesubcommittee considered student suggestions andformulated the new proposal.

Student representatives on the subcommitteewere enthusiastic about the possible additions tothe curriculum. The present readings on women inthe works of Mill and psychoanalyst Sigmund Freudare not adequate, they said.

"In the 19th century, women were just in thedomestic sphere," said Sara S. Song '96, "Only themore recent thinkers address women and theirstatus in society."

Christina Ho '95 agreed. She said in anincreasingly global world, the social studiescanon should reflect a more diverse perspective ofsociety.

"Contemporary gender theorists give students acomplete picture," Ho said.

But not all social studies professors favor thesuggested changes. One faculty member, speaking oncondition of anonymity, said the proposed changesare unnecessary and may dilute the social studiesconcentration.

"The old program helped students understandsthe context of social theory," he said."Contemporary theory leaves a gap to the past thatmay not be filled."

Peretz said the authors selected may notprovide the best perspective on gender issues.

"[They] should instead examine the scientificaspects of humankind," said Peretz. He said thedepartment is "curiously crimped" by not exploringscientific theories about gender divisions.

Associate Professors of History and of SocialStudies John J. McCole, the course head for SocialStudies 10, said the ultimate curriculum decisionwill likely be made by consensus among the socialstudies faculty.

McCole, who is leaving Harvard at the end ofthe term, said his successor may make additionalchanges to the course syllabus or reading list