Harvard's Spring Hit Parade

Four new courses broke into the top ten in this semester's version of the Harvard hit parade.

The 409 students in Government 106b, "The History of Political Theory II," make it the top newcomer and third overall, behind (you guessed it) Economics 10, "Principles of Economics," and Humanities 9b, "Oral and Popular Literature," respectively.

The 400-per-cent enrollment increase in Gov 106b may be attributable to rumors that Michael L. Walzer, professor of Government, will be on leave in two years. Walzer has recently alternated teaching the course with Harvey C. Mansfield Jr., professor of Government. Mansfield taught the class last spring.

Walzer said this week the sharp increase in enrollment surprised him. "I gave it two years ago with about 220 students, and I don't know why there are 200 more students now than then," he said.

Although 28 people dropped the College's most popular offering, the full-year Ec 10 still outdistances Hum 9b by nearly 200 students, and is only 35 short of the magical 1000 mark.

Seven hundred and seventy-three students enrolled in Hum 9b to hear principal lecturer Albert B. Lord, Porter Professor of Slavic and Comparative Literature, in what is reportedly his last year teaching the course.

Newcomer to the list History 1711, "The United States and East Asia," is the fourth-ranked course. Lecturer James C. Thomson Jr. said this week the enrollment increased because this is the last year Peter W. Stanley, lecturer on History, will teach at Harvard.

Although a successor to Stanley has not been found yet, Edwin O. Reischauer, University Professor, said yesterday he expects the course to continue and will still teach his share.

Eighth-ranked Social Sciences 15b, "Introduction to Psychology and Social Relations," and number nine Fine Arts 175a, "American Architecture from the Civil War to the Present," are the other newcomers to the list.

Neal A. Levine, associate professor of Fine Arts, said this week the subject matter of Fine Arts 175a is the key to the new course's success. "It's an important subject because buildings are something you see all the time," he added.

One thing is certain, however-- Harvard pre-meds are singing the same old song. Chemistry 20b, "Organic Chemistry," ranks sixth on the list.