Ec 10 Heads List of Largest Courses; 'First Nights' Second

The tally is in, and there is no surprise.

The largest undergraduate class this semester is Social Analysis 10: "Principles of Economics," with 920 students, according to Thurston Smith, senior associate registrar.

Other crowded classes this term include Literature and Arts B-51: "First Nights: Five Performance Premieres," with 722 students, Moral Reasoning 22: "Justice," with 631, and Literature and Arts A-41: "Shakespeare, The Later Plays," with 493.

While maintaining its stronghold at the top of the list, Ec-10 lost some enrollment since last year, when 972 registered for the course.

"Justice," which is being offered for the second year in a row, lost nearly 100 students since last fall, and fell from second to third in the pack.

General Education 105: "The Literature of Social Reflection," was noticeably absent from the list this year, meaning it attracted fewer than 271 students, the number that enrolled in 10th-ranked Computer Science 50: "Introduction to Computer Science I."

Gen-Ed 105, taught by the popular Agee Professor of Social Ethics Robert Coles, dropped from an enrollment of 477 in 1995 to an enrollment of 355 in 1996, meanwhile falling from second to sixth.

Students say one of the unique characteristics of popular classes during shopping period is their rowdiness.

Flying objects fell on students' heads from the Sanders Theatre balcony in Ec-10, according to P.R. "Randy" Seybold '01.

"The guy next to me was taking notes on his lap-top when his pencil fell over the top and onto a girl's head," he said.

Students taking "First Nights" said the class was supposed to be lotteried, but the lecturer, Professor of Music Thomas F. Kelly, opened the class up to everyone.

Student interest in this class was so intense that it had to move from Paine

10 Most Popular Courses Course Title  Enrollment 1. Social Analysis 10: "Principles of Economics"  920 2. Literature and Arts B-51: "First Nights: Five Performance Premieres"  722 3. Moral Reasoning 22: "Justice"  631 4. Literature and Arts A-41: "Shakespeare: The Later Plays  493 5. Afro-American Studies 10: "Introduction to Afro-American Studies"  348 6. Chemistry 5: "Introduction to Principles of Chemistry"  296 7. Mathematics 21a: "Multivariable Calculus"  286 8. Chemistry 10: "Foundations of Chemistry"  280 9. Historical Studies A-34: "Medicine and Society in America"  275 10. Computer Science 50: "Introduction to Computer Science 1"  271 Hall to Sanders Theatre.

Although some said they were irritated by the long lines to class, David A. Roddenberry '01 used the crowds to his advantage.

"It takes so long to get into class that you make friends when you're in line," he said.

Some professors have tried the "in through one door, out through the other" approach to free up packed hallways, but students said it does not seem to be working.

"The professor said 'Please exit stage left,'" said James J. Meeks '01.

Only trouble was, Meeks didn't know which side of the room the professor meant.

Despite the complaints about crowds, many said that small sections with good teaching fellows can make even large classes worthwhile.

Seybold said that he thinks big lectures are just part of the college experience.

"If I hadn't come here I would have gone to Colorado University where all my classes would have been at least this big," he said.

Although big classes early in the morning may seem like a good time for a nap, Harvard's biggest classes this semester are nothing to sleep through, students said.

Gregory L. Hart '01, an enrollee in "Justice," said the class was taught "Oprah Winfrey style."

He said Professor of Government Michael J. Sandel walks the aisles of Sanders, handing the microphone off to students around the room

Although some said they were irritated by the long lines to class, David A. Roddenberry '01 used the crowds to his advantage.

"It takes so long to get into class that you make friends when you're in line," he said.

Some professors have tried the "in through one door, out through the other" approach to free up packed hallways, but students said it does not seem to be working.

"The professor said 'Please exit stage left,'" said James J. Meeks '01.

Only trouble was, Meeks didn't know which side of the room the professor meant.

Despite the complaints about crowds, many said that small sections with good teaching fellows can make even large classes worthwhile.

Seybold said that he thinks big lectures are just part of the college experience.

"If I hadn't come here I would have gone to Colorado University where all my classes would have been at least this big," he said.

Although big classes early in the morning may seem like a good time for a nap, Harvard's biggest classes this semester are nothing to sleep through, students said.

Gregory L. Hart '01, an enrollee in "Justice," said the class was taught "Oprah Winfrey style."

He said Professor of Government Michael J. Sandel walks the aisles of Sanders, handing the microphone off to students around the room