Riesman to Admit 420, May Take Freshmen

David Riesman's Social Sciences 136, annually Harvard's most oversubscribed spring course, may be a little bit easier to get into this year.

Riesman, Henry Ford II Professor of Social Sciences, said last week that he is increasing enrollment from 300 to about 420 in "Character and Social Structure in America." In the past as many as 600 have applied. In the last two years only juniors and seniors have been able to take the course.

Sophomores will probably be admitted, Riesman said, and there may even be places for freshmen. "We've had a good experience with those freshmen who were adventurous enough to apply," Riesman said.

The course will not be given next spring because Riesman will be on leave.