MIT IAP

IAP 2002 Subjects

Political Science

17.914
Special Topics in Political Science
Theories of Religion
Roger Peterson, Peter Evans
Tue Jan 15, Thu Jan 17, Tue Jan 22, Thu Jan 24, 10am-12:00pm, 5-134

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
Prereq: —
Level: U 3 units Standard A - F Grading   

Reading and discussion of special topics in the field of social science.
Our goal in this class is to better understand the place of religion in society and the broader political implications this has today and in the future. We will examine competing explanations for the origin and cause of religion and religious belief, examine approaches and perspectives developed by sociology, cognitive science, and economics. We'll explore the relationship between the state and religion and the implications of this relationship, both domestically and internationally. We'll look at, among other issues, the connections between religion and politics. We'll conclude by examining the relationship between Islam and the West. Requirements include class participation, readings, and one 5 page writing assignment.
Contact: Peter Evans, x3-6619, evansp@mit.edu

17.916
Special Topics in Political Science
Experiencing Health Policy: A Week in Washington, DC
Roger Peterson, Tobie Weiner, Frances Wong, Liza Leung
Schedule: TBD
Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS.
Enter lottery by: 05-Dec-2001
Limited to 20 participants.
No listeners
Prereq: —
Level: U 6 units Graded P/D/F   
Fee: 50.00 for Travel and accommodation expenses in DC

Reading and discussion of special topics in the field of social science.
During the fourth week of IAP (Jan. 27 - Feb 1), students will take a trip to Washington, DC to experience and learn about health policy first hand. They will visit health policy organizations or federal agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Institute of Medicine, and also attend a relevant Congressional hearing. Events will range from lecture format to informal discussions. Students will be required to attend three discussion sessions before the trip, complete relevant readings, and keep a journal.
Apply for an application via email (liza@mit.edu, frances@mit.edu) by December 5. During the week of December 10, all applicants will be notified via email whether or not they are in the program.
Contact: Liza Leung, liza@mit.edu

17.919
Special Topics in Political Science
Declassify This! The Secret History of the United States
Brice Smith, Gabrielle Magro
Mon-Fri, Jan 7-11, 14-18, 22-25, 28-1, 10am-12:00pm, 3-343, Fridays meeting only 10-11 am

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
Prereq: —
Level: U 9 units Graded P/D/F   

Reading and discussion of special topics in the field of social science.
What Uncle Sam didn't want you to know: Study of United States foreign and domestic policy through declassified documents. Topics may include the motivations and methods of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, the Middle East, Indonesia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, as well as domestic political repression (such as Cointelpro). Lecturers include Prof. Noam Chomsky and many local academics and activists. Classes will cover background material, and students will do original research on declassified documents. There will be weekly discussions and project presentations by the students, as well as potential publication of student projects.
Monday-Thursday classes will be lectures and Friday will be discussion and research progress report back.
Contact: Brice Smith, x3-4826, elrond@mit.edu

17.920
Special Topics in Political Science
Martin Luther King Jr. Design Seminar
Tobie Weiner, Will Lark
Mon-Fri, Jan 8-11, 14-18, 01-03:00pm, E53-482

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Limited to 25 participants.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
Prereq: —
Level: U 12 units Standard A - F Grading   

Reading and discussion of special topics in the field of social science.
Create and design an installation in Lobby 10 for MIT's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration February, 2002. The first two weeks we'll discuss the ideas and goals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as themes surrounding all struggles against oppression and for equality, in order to create a design to connect people, in a figurative way, to such struggles. Students will work with faculty and staff in the MIT community as well as guest artists and lecturers from the Boston/Cambridge community to design the installation.
The second two weeks of IAP we will break up into work groups and develop and construct the installation. If you are interested in participating but cannot commit to 12 units, get in touch with Tobie Weiner. We can offer credit for fewer units, and we also encourage people to join in this project as listeners (but we will put you to work!).
Web: http://web.mit.edu/polisci/www/syllabi/17.920s.pdf
Contact: Tobie Weiner, E53-484, x3-3649, iguanatw@mit.edu


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