Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences
The Humanities at Caltech
The HSS Division offers four undergraduate options — History, English, History and Philosophy of Science (HPS), and Philosophy Option. There is no Humanities graduate program.
History at Caltech examines the Western and non-Western past to understand the evolution of culture, science, institutions, and behavior. Courses span the medieval, Renaissance, and modern periods; the United States, Europe, and Asia; and special topics such as radicalism and demography. In certain courses, quantitative methods drawn from the social sciences are applied to historical studies.
English at Caltech spans the major periods of American, British, and European writing. Students can pursue interests ranging from Latin literature to a survey of drama; from Shakespeare to romantic and modern poetry; from early fiction to the postmodern novel.
History and Philosophy of Science is concerned with the most fundamental issues involving the nature of the world and of human knowledge, values, and judgment. At Caltech, particular emphasis is placed on philosophy of the natural and social sciences, scientific inference, moral and political philosophy, and philosophy of mind, psychology and the neurosciences. Members of the faculty have a variety of other interests, including philosophical logic, moral psychology, and the history of philosophy. Courses are given at both introductory and advanced levels.
- Executive Officer for the Humanities: Cindy Weinstein
- English Option Representative: Kevin Gilmartin
- History Option Representative: Warren C. Brown
- History of Philosophy and Science Option Representative: Nicolas Wey-Gomez
- Philosophy Option Representative: Christopher R. Hitchcock
Special Projects and Facilities
