Economics, Government Lead Fields Of Concentration, Dean Phelps Says

Definite trends in concentration are revealed by a comprehensive survey of the enrollment in all fields during the past twenty years, released yesterday by Reginald Phelps, assistant dean in charge of records.

From 1921 to 1926 the three largest fields were English, Economics and Romance Languages. These three fields remained in that order of popularity during the early twenties. In 1927 Romance Languages gave way to History which took third place in that year.

English Once at Top

English lost ground in 1928 to Economics; Economics remained the most popular field through the depression years until 1932 when English again was the largest. Until 1937 these two alternated in being the field attracting the most students.

Since 1935 there has been a steady rise in the number of students concentrating in Government so that during the past three years Government has been the second largest field with English dropping to third place and History a close fourth, the survey indicates.

Languages Drop

During the past twenty years Romance Languages have dropped off from a high of 10 per cent of the upperclassmen to a low this year of only 3 percent.

The figures show that there has been a movement towards wider distribution by concentrators during recent years as compared with the early years of the last decade. In 1921, 45 per cent of the upperclassmen concentrated in English and Economics. Today 35 per cent are spread over Economics, Government, and English.

35 Fields

The survey also indicates that during the past 20 years 35 fields were offered to students. About four of these fields were added or dropped during the two decades.

Among the comparatively new fields. Biochemical Sciences is the largest today. Biochemical Sciences was established as a field of concentration in 1926 and twenty-three students enrolled that year. This fall 154 students or 6 per cent of the upperclassmen were enrolled in the field.