Economics served as a pioneer for the introduction of the division examination in a major field as a degree requirement. It is interesting to note that this additional requirement appears to have reduced the number of economics majors. “Beginning in 1914, all students “concentrating” in the division of history, government, and economics, have been obliged to take a general examination in their senior year. This requirement has been confined to that division, and has doubtless had the effect of turning away many men who otherwise would “concentrate” in economics.”
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FIELDS OF “CONCENTRATION”
More students in Harvard College are specializing in English literature this year than in any other subject. Economics ranks second; and chemistry, third. Every student is now required to take during his four years in College at least six courses in some one field of study. Three hundred sixty-two men have chosen English literature as their field of “concentration”; 314, economics; 200, chemistry; 178, romance languages; 126, history; 87, government; and 63, mathematics.
In 1914 more students “concentrated” in economics than in any other subject; and English literature ranked second. In that year nearly four men were specializing in economics for every three in English. But since that time English has taken the lead. Beginning in 1914, all students “concentrating” in the division of history, government, and economics, have been obliged to take a general examination in their senior year. This requirement has been confined to that division, and has doubtless had the effect of turning away many men who otherwise would “concentrate” in economics.
Beginning with the class of 1922, however, the general examination, will be required of practically every student in Harvard College; and those who specialize in English and other subjects will be subject to a test similar to that which has been in force in the economics group for four years. There are already signs of a drift back to economics, though English is still in the lead.
Other changes in the past few years have been a decline in the number of men specializing in German, an increase in those specializing in Romance Languages, and an increase in the popularity of chemistry.
The figures for this year are as follows:
| SUBJECT | NUMBER OF MEN CONCENTRATING IN IT. |
| English |
362 |
| Economics |
314 |
| Chemistry |
200 |
| Romance Languages |
178 |
| History |
126 |
| Government |
87 |
| Mathematics |
63 |
| Engineering Sciences |
53* |
| Geology |
33 |
| History and Literature |
31 |
| Biology |
30 |
| Classics |
29 |
| Fine Arts |
29 |
| Philosophy and Psychology |
29 |
| Physics |
16 |
| German |
14 |
| Music |
10 |
| Other Subjects |
17 |
*This figure does not represent the entire enrollment in engineering, for most men whose tastes and abilities lie in this direction are registered in the Harvard Engineering School rather than in Harvard College.
Source: Harvard Alumni Bulletin, Vol. XXIII, No. 12 (December 16, 1920), p. 276.