<p>how liberal arts is hmc?
im want to apply because i like the individualized teaching at mudd and because i love math/physics but i heard that a third of the classes have to be humanities....and even tho i like writing and discussing things i want to really focus on math/physics....will hmc provide that focus or will it distract me with other classes that i really dont want to take?</p>
<p>30% translates to 12 classes, which are done over 8 semester, which translates to 4 semesters of 1 humanities class and 4 semesters of 2, which is not a lot. In addition, a lot of these humanities classes are actually techish in nature, such as History 80-82 (I think these are the numbers) which are History of Science classes and classes on video programing. </p>
<p>Regarding focus: Truthfully, I do not think a single HMC grad has ever thought to themselves upon graduation "Hmmm, not enough science."</p>
<p>I agree with Seiken. HMC is very math/science intensive. Yes, it is a liberal arts school. No, you will not be math/science deprived at HMC. Liberal arts in the size, professor-student relationship, GEs, and social life.</p>
<p>Bump</p>
<p>So, 30% of your classes are taken in the humanities and social sciences, but do those classes occupy 30% of your time? Do you guys feel that you gain a lot of benefit from taking those classes?</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen, generally hum classes do not take up 30% of one’s time (Or any of your time, if you’re taking one at Pitzer 
). In general, classes at Mudd are a lot harder and work intensive than most hums on the other 5C’s, so the hum requirement doesn’t seem nearly so bad. </p>
<p>Though sometimes the hum requirement can be obnoxious, especially since it restricts one to taking certain types (I would like to take only arts, literature and languages, but due to the requirements I can’t), I think most people find it to be worth it overall.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Though this was from a while back: while I’m sure no HMC grad would think “not enough science” it’s possible some could think “too many extraneous things.” This is certainly a consideration when attending the school. Now, the technical courses may be so ridiculously more difficult that the humanities workload seems easier (not sure if this is true), but nevertheless, 12 classes isn’t exactly a small thing in my eyes. Even 1 class per semester is considerable to me. </p>
<p>I also wish schools with humanities requirements would let us choose, just the way we do with our major courses. After all, for those of us who really like, say literature, I’d think it would be nice to take more of those classes – sometimes, the goal of forcing a little bit of everything just will make the student take the given class less seriously.</p>
<p>For the situation above, only 4 would not have to be in literature or whatever humanities the person wants to concentrate in. Considering the random topics one has to hit at a regular universities, such as at least one mandatory class in:</p>
<p>art
world history
us history
race and ethnicity
language
literature
etc.</p>
<p>I would say that in fact HMC is less constricting than most since it has broad as hell categorical requirements for what you are not concentrating in. </p>
<p>Also, 1.5 classes per semester is not bad when you have to take more than 5 classes per semester to actually graduate on time. In fact, since the humanities tone down the work load, having more than 1 hum per semester is often good thing.</p>
<p>Is it possible to get as much of a grounding in the liberal arts at other schools, or is Mudd unique in that way?</p>
<p>Heh, I’m taking 3.5 hum/soc/art classes right now…</p>
<p>Western Music - Scripps
Uses of Evolution - Mudd
Philosophy of Science - Pitzer
Jazz Improv (half) - Mudd</p>
<p>: O</p>