'A little leaner and meaner that way'
Small departments enable students to delve deeper into field of study, form closer bonds with each other
Betsy Woodruff
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Your News
This spring only three students will graduate from Hillsdale College with degrees in physics. Sometimes, there are even fewer.
"We vary from one to three or four," said Jim Peters, physics department chairman.
"We do exist," said Erin Derrick, a junior physics major. "Some people are a little shocked, but we do exist."
Physics is not the only tiny department on campus.
Currently, there are nine sociology and social thought majors, seven religion majors, and just three declared philosophy majors.
Peters is comfortable with the size of his department.
"I think we're doing well," he said. "It's really outstanding to be able to help people in a small classroom because we can really get the understanding transmitted well and deeply."
Derrick planned on majoring in physics before she came here, though she knew it was a small department. She said the size does present some limitations.
"Probably our biggest flaw is that we don't offer the diversity of courses and research that a big university would," she said.
But it brings advantages, too, she said.
"All the physics majors know each other very well. We spend a lot of time doing homework, we're all in the same classes, and we do a lot of studying together," she said. "It really promotes close bonds. It's good to have other people who are just as nerdy as you are."
Philosophy also remains small from year to year.
Donald Turner, associate professor of philosophy, said there are usually about five graduates each year with degrees in philosophy.
Turner thinks this is because few students are exposed to philosophy before entering college.
"One way in which we're at a disadvantage is that very few high schools offer philosophy, and so most people, until they take our Intro to Philosophy course, really have no clue as to what philosophy is. So if they wait to take it until late in their college careers, then unfortunately sometimes their path is already set and they don't see it as practical to change."
"We vary from one to three or four," said Jim Peters, physics department chairman.
"We do exist," said Erin Derrick, a junior physics major. "Some people are a little shocked, but we do exist."
Physics is not the only tiny department on campus.
Currently, there are nine sociology and social thought majors, seven religion majors, and just three declared philosophy majors.
Peters is comfortable with the size of his department.
"I think we're doing well," he said. "It's really outstanding to be able to help people in a small classroom because we can really get the understanding transmitted well and deeply."
Derrick planned on majoring in physics before she came here, though she knew it was a small department. She said the size does present some limitations.
"Probably our biggest flaw is that we don't offer the diversity of courses and research that a big university would," she said.
But it brings advantages, too, she said.
"All the physics majors know each other very well. We spend a lot of time doing homework, we're all in the same classes, and we do a lot of studying together," she said. "It really promotes close bonds. It's good to have other people who are just as nerdy as you are."
Philosophy also remains small from year to year.
Donald Turner, associate professor of philosophy, said there are usually about five graduates each year with degrees in philosophy.
Turner thinks this is because few students are exposed to philosophy before entering college.
"One way in which we're at a disadvantage is that very few high schools offer philosophy, and so most people, until they take our Intro to Philosophy course, really have no clue as to what philosophy is. So if they wait to take it until late in their college careers, then unfortunately sometimes their path is already set and they don't see it as practical to change."
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