Harvard University has launched a new first-year seminar aimed at addressing complex scientific questions, signaling a potential shift in the approach to humanities and social sciences. The course, titled "Genuinely Hard Problems in Science," accommodates 15 students per class and encourages interdisciplinary thinking to tackle unresolved issues that have long puzzled researchers.

Jeff Lichtman, the university's dean of science and one of the course instructors, emphasized that the seminar does not assume that established scientific authorities are always correct. He stated, "Rather than training conformists, the instructors want out-of-the-box thinkers who can blaze new pathways." This innovative approach aims to reshape the scientific landscape, which has been significantly influenced by technology.

The seminar raises questions about how similar methodologies could be applied to the humanities and social sciences. It prompts consideration of what a first-year seminar focused on critical public issues might look like. Potential topics for exploration could include the decline of the West, the significance of citizenship, the future of the nation-state, and the flexibility of human rights.

The course is designed for first-year students, many of whom may continue their education to advanced levels. The goal is to cultivate critical and interdisciplinary perspectives that can contribute to public policy discussions. This initiative may also inspire a reevaluation of existing humanities and social science programs, which some argue have been overly influenced by ideology and postmodern thought.

Universities face challenges related to increasing enrollment and the demand for graduates with practical skills. While broader access to education has led to larger class sizes and less personal interaction between students and professors, many employers still value employees who can think critically and understand complex issues. Harvard's new seminar seeks to address these challenges by fostering a learning environment that encourages deep inquiry in both the arts and sciences.