'Ec 10' Caps Top Ten List

To no one's surprise, Social Analysis 10, "Principles of Economics," again has the highest enrollment of the semester with a whopping 890 students.

Assistant Professor of Economics Brian J. Hall '86 cites the quality of Baker Professor of Economics Martin S. Feldstein, well-prepared section leaders and interesting course material as the main attractions of the course.

"[Feldstein] is one of the great economists in this country," Hall said. "Not only that, he's very clear in his lectures."

Like other perennial favorites on the list--including Biological Sciences 1, Biological Sciences 11 and Math 21b--Ec 10 is a prerequisite for many higher level departmental courses.

It also attracts students in other fields who deem it essential to have some understanding of economics. "I thought I should have some background in economics," said Alexis I. Boyle '97, an Ec 10 student planning to concentrate in Government.

Professor of Chinese History and Philosophy Wei-Ming Tu, whose Moral Reasoning core "Confucian Humanism: Self-Cultivation and Moral Community" came in a distant second with an enrollment of 471, said he was surprised to see so many people in his class.

Students had some theories as to why the course was so popular. Carol Yeh '96, said, "Its a good core class with cool cultural stuff." Her roommate Yee-San Sun '96 said she was taking the course for "Asian bonding."

Professors of other popular courses repeatedly cited their own interesting choice of course material, unique presentations and distinctive teaching

Most Popular Courses

Courses with the most students enrolled, spring semester 1994. Course  Enrollment Social Analysis 10  890 Moral Reasoning 40  471 Biological Sciences 1  408 Science B-29  378 Chemistry 27  308 Literature and Arts C-61  297 Philosophy 192  295 Biological Sciences 11  290 Historical Studies B-42  290 Mathematics 21b  287

Source: Office of the Registrar styles as reasons for their courses' consistentpopularity.

Frankfurter Professor of Law Alan M. Dershowitzsaid the main attraction of his Philosophy course"Thinking About Thinking," which came in seventhwith an enrollment of 295, was the unique way heteaches it with Agassiz Professor of ZoologyStephen J. Gould and Porter Professor ofPhilosophy Robert Nozick.

"Normally, students see professors standing upthere giving their point of view," Dershowitzsaid. "The fact that three different professorshold very different opinions and argue about thempretty firmly is very interesting to students."

Pope Professor of the Latin Language andLiterature R.J. Tarrant said his approach to thematerial covered in Literature and Arts C-61, "TheRome of Augustus," is appealing to students.

"The combination of historical and literaryanalysis illustrated through art captures theinterest of students" said Tarrant, who alsochairs the Classics department.

But students taking the course, dubbed "Neroesfor Zeros" by some, said they are taking thecourse for another reason.

"It's a gut," said David H. Goldbrenner '96."But it's interesting. I think I'll get somethingout of it."

Taa R. Grays '94, another student in thecourse, said, "If you're writing a thesis, itprovides a good balance."

Of course some students choose their courseswith a higher purpose in mind--graduate school.

Gwendolyn A. Freyd, a teaching fellow inBiological Sciences 1, "Introductory Genetics,Molecular and Developmental Biology," said shefelt the increase in enrollment in her course isdue to a nationwide trend of growing medicalschool applicants.

But not all science courses are stops on theway to medical school.

Assistant Professor of Anthropology Marc D.Hauser acknowledged another reason for thepopularity of Science B-29, "Human BehavioralBiology," which was fourth with 378 studentsenrolled.

"Sex is a driving force," he said

Frankfurter Professor of Law Alan M. Dershowitzsaid the main attraction of his Philosophy course"Thinking About Thinking," which came in seventhwith an enrollment of 295, was the unique way heteaches it with Agassiz Professor of ZoologyStephen J. Gould and Porter Professor ofPhilosophy Robert Nozick.

"Normally, students see professors standing upthere giving their point of view," Dershowitzsaid. "The fact that three different professorshold very different opinions and argue about thempretty firmly is very interesting to students."

Pope Professor of the Latin Language andLiterature R.J. Tarrant said his approach to thematerial covered in Literature and Arts C-61, "TheRome of Augustus," is appealing to students.

"The combination of historical and literaryanalysis illustrated through art captures theinterest of students" said Tarrant, who alsochairs the Classics department.

But students taking the course, dubbed "Neroesfor Zeros" by some, said they are taking thecourse for another reason.

"It's a gut," said David H. Goldbrenner '96."But it's interesting. I think I'll get somethingout of it."

Taa R. Grays '94, another student in thecourse, said, "If you're writing a thesis, itprovides a good balance."

Of course some students choose their courseswith a higher purpose in mind--graduate school.

Gwendolyn A. Freyd, a teaching fellow inBiological Sciences 1, "Introductory Genetics,Molecular and Developmental Biology," said shefelt the increase in enrollment in her course isdue to a nationwide trend of growing medicalschool applicants.

But not all science courses are stops on theway to medical school.

Assistant Professor of Anthropology Marc D.Hauser acknowledged another reason for thepopularity of Science B-29, "Human BehavioralBiology," which was fourth with 378 studentsenrolled.

"Sex is a driving force," he said