Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Registration Instructions

Information about all the courses in Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) can be found at the following locations:


Important information for students registering for "HSS-4: The Modern Context: Figures and Topics"

  • Each HSS-4 section is organized around a distinct theme and area of focus, which in turn shapes the nature and scope of the research projects that students pursue in the course. Students are encouraged to closely read the course descriptions before making their choice.

- HSS policy dictates that closed courses and sections cannot be overloaded. This means class sizes cannot be increased for any reason whatsoever. Faculty do not have the authority to add additional students to closed sections or courses, nor can faculty approval result in additional enrollments. Students should instead look for at other course offerings for the semester. Please see the HSS Academic Advisor, Professor Ninad Pandit, if a schedule conflict cannot otherwise be resolved.

- For students minoring in HSS, the relevant minors that each elective counts towards can be found in the Class Schedule PDF. Please see the column on the right in the relevant PDF.

- Students may not register for more than one HSS elective without permission from the HSS Academic Advisor, Professor Ninad Pandit. An exception is made for all seniors who must take electives to fulfill degree requirements and students in the School of Art, who may register for two HTA electives without special permissions from the HSS Academic Advisor.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.