<p>In the really big classes- e.g. I saw that EIGHT HUNDRED seemed to have signed up for Social Analysis 10- are the lectures interactive at all or do you just listen and take notes? </p>
<p>What's the average class size for a lecture; and which are the largest classes? </p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Some numbers:
75% of classes are 20 or fewer in size
Mean: 17
Median: 10
Student Professor Ratio: 7:1</p>
<p>The largest courses are usually Ec 10, Justice and many of the pre-med requirements (particularly Life Sci 1a which I remember was taught in Sanders my freshman year).</p>
<p>Also, if a course ever has more than 40 students, the college mandates a section component (though courses with fewer than 40 often have section as well) which is a smaller breakdown of the course with no more than 20 students in each one. It is usually headed by a graduate student, also known as TFs (teaching fellows). Also possible are sections headed by undergraduates (usually CAs [course assistants] in early level maths courses). And professors on occasion will also lead a section.</p>
<p>As for interactivity, Ec 10 is really a sit and listen whereas Justice is definitely a very lively discussion. It definitely varies from course to course.</p>
<p>Other forms of learning environments are seminars and tutorials which are more intimate and are greatly interactive.</p>
<p>800 in a lecture? I thought such classes only existed at state universities!</p>
<p>@Condiments - You’ll learn that there really isn’t much of a difference between a class with 70 people and a class with 700.</p>
<p>I wonder how it feels to get fully shafted by your own school, the administration knowing full well that it can get away with it because the demand for its product will always be high.</p>
<p>Hell, ya’ll probably can get away with this too: </p>
<p>[Harvard</a> Brings Ivy Couture to the Masses (or Tries to Salvage Its Endowment) > endowment, fashion, Harvard, Harvard Yard, Perez Hilton | IvyGate](<a href=“http://www.ivygateblog.com/2009/08/harvard-brings-ivy-couture-to-the-masses-or-tries-to-salvage-its-endowment/]Harvard”>http://www.ivygateblog.com/2009/08/harvard-brings-ivy-couture-to-the-masses-or-tries-to-salvage-its-endowment/)</p>
<p>It’s like a girl putting up with an abusive boyfriend…</p>
<p>P.S. - Would also like to know more about these 70-person classes.</p>
<p>How are Harvard students being shafted because the administration decided to license out a copyrighted phrase to a clothing line? Yea, it’s a little unusual even for Harvard, but I would definitely not use the term shafted.</p>
<p>I think you’ll find, if you visit campus, that your statements are misguided. Most students are far more critical of the Harvard administration than the general public (albeit over different issues). Just read some of The Crimson’s editorials for a (not necessarily representative) example.</p>
<p>What would you like to know about 70 person classes? My point is that both 70 person and 700 person classes are going to have lectures (which are primarily non-interactive) and sections (which are very interactive, and led by a grad student). In both types of classes, if you’d like to get to know the professor you can, by attending office hours and/or starting an email correspondence.</p>
<p>That’s intriguing, and I asked because I’ve never had anywhere close to a 70-person class. My most impacted course (the equivalent of Ec 10) had around 40 kids. But I think there’s still a distinction despite the difference in sizes. Even if it were slightly smaller classes, I would still demand even better. After all, the best university in the world should be the best. Correct me if I’m wrong, and maybe you guys don’t want this, but that’s my mindset as a student.</p>
<p>Also to the other guy, my point was that your school can do the most asinine things, and teenagers will still want to go there anyways. It’s almost identical to Hollywood P&A promoting bad movies and the ossification of Hollywood’s bureaucratic structure, which is why this decade is much worse compared to the 90’s. But that’s a whole different matter ;)</p>
<p>Condiments- We gave you Jim Kim and you replied with this </p>
<p>[Dartmouth</a> Students Jump to Racist Conclusions About New President > Dartmouth, dartmouth review, Jim Yong Kim, racism | IvyGate](<a href=“http://www.ivygateblog.com/2009/03/dartmouth-students-jump-to-racist-conclusions-about-new-president/#more-4967]Dartmouth”>http://www.ivygateblog.com/2009/03/dartmouth-students-jump-to-racist-conclusions-about-new-president/#more-4967)</p>
<p>So it would be great if you gave him back and ceased with snide comments about “the best university.” Thanks</p>
<p>Condiments</p>
<p>“I wonder how it feels to get fully shafted by your own school, the administration knowing full well that it can get away with it”</p>
<p>Guess you don’t know anyone who has been Parkhursted.</p>
<p>No mind, assuming you graduate, you’ll find out soon enough what its like to be fully shafted by your own school - or haven’t you been paying attention to alumni - trustee relations in Hanover?</p>
<p>White Rabbit</p>
<p>You also gave us Friedman, whose mess they are still trying to clean up - undo that and and you can have Jim Kim back, else we’ll keep him.</p>
<p>Trust me dude, my life will be way too exciting to worry what some group of people are doing behind my back. Life is too short for that kind of posturing. </p>
<p>In the meantime, as long as we’re “The Hangover” and Harvard remains “The Land of the Lost” of the Ivy League, I derive a certain gratification in knowing that the world is…the way it is.</p>
<p>At least be honest with yourselves though.</p>