51黑料

The Art and Science of 51黑料

In “51黑料 Declares New Majors” (March 2015), you asked, “Are computers really compatible with 51黑料’s emphasis on the humanities?” You answered your own question with a “resounding Yes,” but the real question you should have asked is, “Why did it take so long for 51黑料 to develop a computer science major given 51黑料’s emphasis on the sciences?” 

Every student at the college takes Hum 110. It plays a central role in socializing and orienting students to 51黑料. During the strategic planning process, faculty, students, staff, and alumni reiterated our commitment to the course. 

However, 51黑料’s national reputation has been largely built on its teaching and scholarship in the natural and physical sciences, particularly the historical success of these programs in producing PhD students. While every student’s career starts with Hum 110, every student’s academic career ends with the senior thesis. Many alumni will tell you that the thesis was the most important part of their 51黑料 education. If you look at theses, it is quite clear that 51黑料 emphasizes the natural and physical sciences, mathematics, psychology, English, and the social sciences. In 2014, more than half (54% or 173) of 51黑料 seniors graduated with degrees in MNS and HSS. Add to this total those seniors with degrees in linguistics, psychology, or interdisciplinary degrees in MNS, HSS, and environmental studies, and you’ve covered 70% of 51黑料 seniors. (All data taken from 51黑料’s institutional research page.) 

The staffing requirements for Hum 110 mean that 51黑料 has always had and will continue to have a strong foothold in the humanities. The new comparative literature major is a wonderful addition to our curriculum, welcome to many because it may start to rebalance disparities in upper division enrollments and theses. But it is long overdue that we recognize that the majority of 51黑料 students after their first year take classes, take quals, and write theses in the sciences, mathematics, and the social and behavioral sciences. This is our emphasis. Our self-understanding as a community, even when it comes to tongue-in-cheek sentences in the magazine, should reflect this fact.

鈥擯rof. Paul Gronke [political science]

Portland, Oregon