HPSS Concentration

History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences (HPSS) is an interdisciplinary department where faculty teach and conduct research in a range of fields across the humanities and social sciences. All HPSS courses emphasize critical thinking and the development of writing and research skills.  

If you wish to complement your studio major with in-depth study in a field supported by the department's curriculum, you may elect an HPSS concentration. Open to all bachelor’s degree candidates, the concentration can be completed as part of a typical four- or five-year degree program. This course of study lets you fully explore HPSS offerings while fulfilling Liberal Arts requirements in a way that is most meaningful to you.

Learning outcomes

Concentrators are able to:

  • approach issues critically, reflectively, and with regard to cultural, historical, and social context.
  • understand and interpret a range of theoretical and methodological approaches to research questions.
  • communicate orally, visually, and in written form in critically informed, and persuasive ways.
  • critically assess the value and trustworthiness of information and integrate or critique research findings in their own analytical work.
  • actively explore positionality, perspective, and self-reflection to become aware of cultural assumptions and social constructions.
  • apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge from HPSS classes to broaden and deepen their studio work and engagement as global citizens.
  • demonstrate informed understanding of a HPSS-related field or topic, based on a particular course of in-depth study in a concentration track.

Undergraduate concentration tracks

As an HPSS concentrator, you shape an individual course of study around one of the department’s nine established tracks, which build on faculty teaching and research strengths and represent a key intersection of one or more of the core disciplines in HPSS. In addition to the introductory HPSS course Topics in History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences (S101), each concentration track requires seven courses.

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