I, II, III, IV: distributional groups face off

Worlds of literate language in Group I

CARLOS MENA/YH

When you picture the consummate Yale intellectual you want to be, you think of afternoons spent contemplating the mysteries of life and literature in the Sterling reading rooms, a copy of Joyce or Milton on your lap. Or evenings spent discussing—in Italian—the circles of Purgatory over tiny cups of espresso. Or late nights spent furiously composing insightful essays over your keyboard. It all points to Group I, the first and foremost of Yale's distributional groups.

Group I is your universal translator: from French or Spanish to languages you didn't even know existed. Language classes are small, with native speakers as teachers. They're also fast-paced; German students read Kafka during their first year. For those of you lucky enough to have already fulfilled the language requirement, Yale's Group I superiority might very well lure you to learn yet another, or to continue in upper-level language courses.

Group I's other focus is literature. The English, literature, and comparative literature departments are consistently among Yale's finest, and list an impressive roster of star professors. Yale's lit classes provide a range of genres, from Medieval Italian comedy to modern gay fiction. As an English major, I have the luxury of reading books for class that I'd want to read on my own anyway. Whatever your style or preference, the languages and literature of the world are more than wide enough to encompass it. Check out a Group I class and find your literary niche.

—Siobhan Peiffer

Group II will give you the true liberal arts education

History is Yale's largest and most popular department, and boasts some world-renowned scholars, including Chinese historian Jonathan Spence and diplomatic historian Paul Kennedy.

But Group II offers some other gems which shouldn't be overlooked. Taking intro classes in the Bible, art history, and music will provide you with new insights into the world, and trying your hand at philosophy can't help but expand your mind. After one course, it's impossible not to get hooked on Group II.

—Emily Gold

Choosing Group III means choosing a bright future

They're the success stories that the alumni magazine brags about. What group do the future eminent lawyers, governors, psychologists, humanitarians, labor organizers, and social scientists indulge in? Why, Group III, of course. Psychology, sociology, and political science are a few of the popular majors included in this group. Group III majors can expect to write a senior paper, although history majors constantly mock political scientists in light of the history department's much shorter paper length requirements. Departments in Group III are generally smaller than large departments such as English and history, and students thus receive greater individual attention.

The wonderful thing about Group III is that its majors combine the realm of the theoretical with that of the practical. Group III majors learn how to think, analyze, write, and dream without relinquishing the real world skills and exposure that will one day guarantee that they don't starve.

Group III teaches us to believe in the idea of liberal education without getting carried away like the folks in Groups I and II. And, hey, we're not as boring as those Group IV majors trekking up Science Hill.

So whether you dabble in political theory or biological psychology, remember that taking an occasional class in American Studies or History of Medicine is okay. But when it comes time to choose your major, go with Group III.

—Jay Munir

Group IV researches reality

He was wrong. Whether your interest is in biological or physical sciences, or even engineering, you'll find a faculty eager to teach, and facilities that easily compete with other top schools across the country. Yale's reputation as a superior liberal arts institution belies its commitment to the "techies" as well as the "fuzzies."

Science classes can be tough, and walking up Science Hill at 9:30 a.m. is not fun, but the academic rigor and depth of material covered in Group IV can be very satisfying—and everybody needs a little exercise. Be prepared for large introductory science lectures other than chemistry and physics. Upper level seminars get great reviews since they provide a chance to look closely at scientific problems in a small group led by a real professor. Learning such complex material can be daunting, but hard work shared makes for a bonding experience unique to Group IV.

I've found that to be the most satisfying aspect of being a Group IV major is having the opportunity to conduct research. Professors here love to work with undergraduates, and most are very approachable. Working in a lab gives you the chance to see how real scientists work, and to apply what you learn in lecture. The faculty's research interests are broad, and almost every department boasts big names. Facilities are excellent as well, ranging from the Gothic Sloane Physics Laboratory to the four year-old Bass Center, which houses the Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry department. All in all, a Yale science education is well balanced and deep. And it's probably a lot more fun than being at MIT.

—Michael Burstein

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