Harvard Humanities Course Sees Surge in Popularity

The rigorous literature seminar at Harvard University faces high demand from incoming freshmen.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Language Learning

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a precarious stack of antique books, evoking the studious environment of a literature seminar. — Harvard University's intensive HUM 10 humanities course is drawing record applications, reflecting a renewed student interest in rigorous, deep-read academic experiences. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you choose an intensive, device-free classroom experience over using AI tools to assist your learning?

Harvard University is seeing intense interest in its HUM 10 humanities course, which requires students to read over 800 pages weekly. More than 180 freshmen recently applied for the 90 available seats in the program.

Why it matters

Students are seeking out this class for its extreme discipline and the opportunity for deep engagement with literature. Many participants believe this intense human experience provides a critical alternative to modern AI-driven tools.

The curriculum mandates a minimum of 800 pages of reading per week and restricts the use of electronic devices. Students complete 13 classic novels over the course of the 14-week term.

The players

David Elmer

He is a faculty member at Harvard University who assumed leadership of the HUM 10 course in 2023.

Matherne

She serves as a course leader who began overseeing the humanities curriculum alongside David Elmer in 2023.

Harvard University

This is an Ivy League research institution in Cambridge that hosts the intensive HUM 10 humanities course.

The details

The course centers on rigorous academic standards, including a requirement for perfect attendance and a curriculum featuring two weekly lectures alongside a seminar. Leadership duties for the course were assumed by David Elmer and Matherne in 2023.

David Elmer and Matherne assumed leadership of the course in 2023.
Students read 13 books during a 14-week period.

Culture Shift

The course structure marks a rejection of digital-first academic tools in favor of traditional, high-density literary analysis. It reflects a broader shift among students who are actively seeking out analog experiences to counteract the perceived depersonalization of AI-assisted study.

For students in Cambridge, the course mandates a significant shift in daily study routines by forbidding the use of electronic devices. The high demand for these limited seats forces applicants to prioritize traditional reading and seminar preparation over other extracurricular commitments.

The takeaway

The popularity of this course suggests that students increasingly value high-discipline, screen-free learning environments. Implementing regular, uninterrupted reading periods can help anyone improve their focus and engagement with complex materials.