Harvard humanities course attracts twice as many applicants as places for intensive reading and writing
Harvard’s HUM 10, a demanding humanities course built around close reading and writing, has become popular despite requiring students to put away electronic devices, attend every class and tackle substantial weekly reading. Its appeal reflects students’ interest in sustained engagement with literature and ideas at a time when some feel those habits are under pressure.
The course admits 90 students, while more than 180 freshmen have applied in recent years, according to the article. Students read 13 books over about 14 weeks, with weekly assignments reaching 800 pages or more, and take part in lectures, seminars and regular essay writing. Professor David Elmer and graduate Peggy Urdan said the course’s emphasis on human experience and independent thought cannot be replicated by relying on AI.
In short
- Harvard’s demanding HUM 10 course has drawn more applicants than places.
- Students read as many as 800 pages a week.
- The course centres on close reading, discussion and writing without devices.
Explained simply
Harvard is a university in the United States, where students choose courses alongside their main field of study. Humanities courses explore works such as literature and philosophy, asking what they reveal about people, society and ideas.
HUM 10 is taught by professor David Elmer and combines lectures, small-group discussions and essay writing. Its rules and workload are designed to give students sustained time with books and ideas, without electronic devices in class.
The course’s popularity comes as universities consider how students can develop close reading, clear writing and independent thought. Those skills matter across many subjects, while the spread of AI tools has prompted questions about what learning and original analysis involve.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Brutal Harvard class where students are expected to read a full classic novel each week becomes huge hit, with digital devices banned and attendance strictly monitored”.