HASS Requirement

As part of MIT’s General Institute Requirements, all undergraduates must complete the HASS Requirement. It consists of eight subjects in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. There are three components to the HASS Requirement: Concentration, Distribution, and HASS Electives.

HASS Concentrations

Global Languages offers eleven Concentration programs through which students can satisfy the Concentration component of the HASS Requirement. Each Concentration consists of three or four subjects; see more details at Academic Programs and find out about each area of study below.

Chinese
French
German
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Other Languages
Theory of Languages
Studies in International Literatures and Cultures

Students who have completed a Concentration in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish can also pursue a minor in these languages with just three or four more classes! Language subjects completed at semester “III” or above for the Concentration are applicable to the minor, and of the six subjects required for a minor, five may be applied to the HASS Requirement. Continuing studies in language after completion of a Concentration is a great way to continue building language skills while adding a minor to the MIT degree!

HASS Distribution

Global Languages 21G subjects designated as HASS-H, HASS-A, or HASS-S can be applied for completion of the HASS Distribution requirement. Most 21G subjects are HASS-H. Students may use a single subject for both the Distribution and Concentration components of the Requirement, with the permission of your Concentration advisor. Below, see 21G HASS-A and HASS-S subjects currently planned for the 2021-2022 academic year.

21G.024 The Linguistic Study of Bilingualism (HASS-S)
21G.029 City Living: Ethnographies of Urban Worlds (HASS-S)
21G.048 Images of Asian Women: Dragon Ladies and Lotus Blossoms (HASS-S)
21G.057 Gender, Race, and Environmental Justice (HASS-S)
21G.058 Race and Migration in Europe (HASS-S)
21G.084 Introduction to Latin American Studies (HASS-S)
21G.095 Cultures of Popular Music in East Asia: Japan, Korea, China (HASS-A)
21G.111 Chinese Calligraphy (HASS-A)
21G.353 Understanding Contemporary French Politics (HASS-S)
21G.409 Advanced German: Visual Arts, Media, Creative Expression (HASS-A)

HASS Electives

Once students complete the Distribution and Concentration components of the HASS Requirement, additional HASS classes (electives) are applied to reach the eight subjects required by the HASS Requirement. Students may take any 21G subject for this purpose, even if concentrating in another department, and it can be a great opportunity to learn about a new culture or be introduced to a new language.

Communication Requirement

21G subjects designated as CI-H may be applied to completion of the Communication Requirement. Students majoring in 21G must additionally complete two CI-M subjects, and should confer with their major advisor to arrange a CI-M. Below, see 21G CI-H subjects currently planned for the 2021-2022 academic year.

21G.011 Topics in Indian Popular Culture
21G.024 The Linguistic Study of Bilingualism
21G.046 Modern Chinese Fiction and Cinema
21G.055 Media in Weimar and Nazi Germany
21G.058 Race and Migration in Europe
21G.065 Japanese Literature and Cinema
21G.070 Latin America and the Global Sixties: Counterculture and Revolution