"Iran Through the Lens of History"
Bedross Der Matossian
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Lecture and movie series deals with contemporary issues pertaining to Iranian politics, cinema, society and culture. The lectures will be delivered by Prof. Hamid Dabashi, a world renowned expert of Iranian history and Iranian cinema. The movie series that depict the multi-faceted aspect of Iranian cinema present the works of the most important Iranian directors.
Contact: Bedross Der Matossian, E51-178, x3-9621, bedross@mit.edu
Sponsor: History
"Obama's Iranian Problem"
Hamid Dabashi, Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies Columbia University, Middle East and Asian Languages and Cul
The presidency of Barack Obama will probably face one of its most daunting foreign policy tests with the Islamic Republic of Iran and its nuclear project. What are the terms and conditions of this fateful encounter between a widely celebrated and globally popular American president and a beleaguered Islamic republic?
Tue Jan 6, 04:30-06:30pm, Room 2-105
"Gabbeh"
Bedross Der Matossian
In this poetic film by Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf, an elderly couple is involved in the ritual of cleaning their gabbeh, a beautiful intricately designed rug. Suddenly, a woman resembling one of the figures on the carpet emerges from the gabbeh. She recounts the history of her nomadic clan and the story of her love for a man outside her tribe. This magical musing on love and art won numerous film festival awards.
Wed Jan 7, 06:30-09:30pm, Room 3-270
"Prelude to Kiarostami's Meditative Camera"
Hamid Dabashi, Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies Columbia University, Middle East and Asian Languages and Cul
Over the last half century Abbas Kiarostami has worked through a deeply meditative camera he has taught to probe the inner anxieties of a world otherwise covered by the placid paucity of entirely vacated signs--how does this camera work, and what does it reveal?
Thu Jan 8, 06-08:00pm, Room 3-270
"The Wind Will Carry Us" (Abbas Kiarostami, 2002)
Bedross Der Matossian
This film's abstract, symbolic plot follows a man named Behzad and two colleagues as they travel from Tehran, Iran, to the tiny village of Siah Dareh, located on a dry, barren mountainside. There they observe the harsh life and everyday activities of the villagers. Technology -- or the lack thereof -- figures prominently in this film, which is considered director Abbas Kiarostami's most socially critical work.
Tue Jan 13, 06:30-09:30pm, Room 4-231
"Turtles Can Fly" (Bahman Ghobadi, 2004)
Bedross Der Matossian
Residents of an Iraqi Kurdistan village await the violent arrival of the invading U.S Army. A young boy named Satellite (Soran Ebrahim) helps clear minefields and installs equipment that brings in news from the outside world. Meanwhile, three orphans wander aimlessly, the victims of tragic happenstance. As Saddam is removed from power, these innocent children confront the harsh reality that awaits them.
Tue Jan 20, 06:30-09:30pm, Room 2-105
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Business As UnUsual: Puzzling with the global climate pieces "Climate: Quilts, Bags and Questions"
Cindy Snodgrass
Sat Jan 17 thru Fri Jan 23, 10am-05:00pm, TSMC, Stata Center
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Looking at Climate Balance through the spectrum of BAU2. Bussiness as UnUsual: What does it (BAU2- you too) look like? Puzzling the pieces of the global climate picture together within the framework of ArtMaking. We will expand from work done in the fall collaborations with WHP, GPI, Sustainability@MIT ...... We will have a sign up for the MIT community to make some bags and offer their climate questions and suggestions for BAU2 actions.
We will look at:
\\*Climate graphic Icons, Youtube ideas
\\*Boston's Big Green City Hall (BBGH)
\\*Boston GreenFest options for August 2009
\\*Landscape Art Greenroofs and Food Gardens
\\*Herds and Grasslands: productive deserts
\\*Fish and Water: balance the acis refux
\\*Food as Art: Art as Soul Food
Web: http://sustainability.mit.edu/wiki/BAU2
Contact: Cat Thu Nguyen Huu, (617) 480-8262, catthu@mit.edu
Sponsor: Western Hemisphere Project
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Charm School
Paul Spangle, Alicia Erwin
Fri Jan 30, 12-04:00pm, Student Center - W20, Reception to follow at 4:00pm.
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
How do I ask for a date? Which bread plate is mine? At what point in a job interview can I ask about salary? Should I use a cell phone while on the T or the elevator? How can I network to find the perfect position?
Join us for MIT's 16th Annual Charm School to find out these answers and more. Participate in mini-classes on a wide variety of "charming" subjects. You may even earn your "Ch.D." (Doctoral degree in Charm). Classes are rolling, so stop by at any time during the four-hour period and stay afterwards for a short reception.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/charm/
Contact: Paul Spangle, W20-549, x3-7605, pspangle@mit.edu
Sponsor: Student Activities Office
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Charm School: J.Crew Dress for Success
Paul Spangle
Wed Jan 28, 08:30-10:00pm, J.Crew store, Cambridgeside Galleria
No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 28-Jan-2009
Single session event
Does this shirt match these pants? How can I look stylish on a date? If you have ever had difficulty piecing together your wardrobe, then this event is for you! J.Crew is hosting MIT Charm School's first ever Dress for Success event, being held at the J.Crew store in Cambridgeside Galleria. Be there at 8:30pm for a special presentation on how to look your finest in the office or on a night out. Learn about styles, colors, and matching an outfit. Stick around for special one-time discount on anything in the store while being assisted by J.Crew's personal shoppers.
A shuttle will be transporting students to and from J.Crew starting at 8:00pm in the Turnaround in front of Kresge Auditorium on Amherst Alley. Tell your friends and register today!
Web: http://web.mit.edu/charm/
Contact: Paul Spangle, W20-549, x3-7605, pspangle@mit.edu
Sponsor: Student Activities Office
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Chemistry UROP Symposium
Professor Christopher Cummins
Tue Jan 27, 03:30-05:30pm, 34-401
Single session event
An opportunity to view the Undergraduate Chemistry Research Poster Session.
Contact: Mary Turner, 2-204, x3-7271, maturner@mit.edu
Sponsor: Chemistry
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Chinese New Year Cooking Workshop and Celebration
Ana Chen
Sun Jan 25, 08-11:00pm
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
Learn how to make delicious food! After the Cooking Workshop, a Celebration Potluck will be held to bring in the New Year, so bring a snack, dessert, or other delicious food item and enjoy the Lunar New Year!
Contact: Ana Chen, agchen@mit.edu
Sponsor: Association of Taiwanese Students
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Class of 2012 Sweatshirt Distribution/Study Break!
2012 Class Council
Thu Jan 15, 06-09:00pm, La Sala
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
Prereq: Preorder
Fee: 20.12 for sweatshirt
After three months, a flame war, and Hoodiegate, the Class of 2012 sweatshirts are finally ready to be picked up. If you preordered, stop by Lobby 10 to pick up your sweatshirt and some hot chocolate/cider/whatever else we feel like bringing to the study break.
The cost will be $20.12, either in cash or Techcash - bring exact change!
Contact: 2012 Class Council, 2012council@mit.edu
Sponsor: Undergraduate Association
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Dinner@Six - Hummus Theme - Free Dinner with MIT Faculty
Eliad Shmuel
Wed Jan 14, 05:45-07:00pm, W11 Small Dining Roo
Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Signup by: 02-Jan-2009
Limited to 24 participants.
Single session event
Enjoy a relaxed dinner and coversation with your favorite MIT faculty and administrators. The dinner is delicious, the company is wonderful, and the meal is free, could you ask for more? Come at 5:45, the dinner will be served at 6 promptly, and the event will end at 7. Dinner is by RSVP only.
In honor of 2nd annual Hummus Experience At MIT, we will serve Hummus along with the other dishes.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/hillel/www
Contact: Eliad Shmuel, W11-040, (617) 253-2982, dinner-at-six@mit.edu
Sponsor: Hillel
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Exploring the Hidden Gems of the MIT Museum
Debora Lui
Thu Jan 15, 10:30am-12:00pm, MIT Museum
Fri Jan 23, 02-03:30pm, MIT Museum
Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Limited to 10 participants.
Repeating event. Participants welcome at any session
So you think you know MIT's basements? Come check out one of the most interesting dark corners of the Institute with curators from the MIT Museum. Since 1971, the museum has amassed more than a million artifacts from an urn that dates to the 7th century BCE to a computer from the One Laptop Per Child project. Like an iceberg only a tiny percent of these items are on display at any one time but we'll show you some of the hidden gems including giant slide rules, a pair of chomping dentures that measure food texture, a piece of the first coaxial cable, one of the few remaining models of the World Trade Center towers, a row of the original 10-250 lecture hall seats and much, much, more. Bring your curiosity and comfortable shoes! Enrollment is limited to 10 people per tour. Please pre-register using contact below.
Web: http://museum.mit.edu
Contact: Debora Lui, N52-218B, x3-0528, dlui@mit.edu
Sponsor: MIT Museum
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From understanding cortex to building a mathematical theory
Tommy Poggio, Thomas Serre, Lorenzo Rosasco
Mon Jan 12, Tue Jan 13, 11am-03:30pm, 46-3310, lunch break 12:30-2:00 pm
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Understanding the processing of information in our cortex is a significant part of understanding how the brain works and of understanding intelligence itself, arguably one of the greatest problems in science today.
Beginning by reviewing research at CBCL on the problem of intelligence. Continuing with a brief review of modern learning theory; a more specialized session on current approaches & open questions in learning theory.Focusing on current topics of research on the computational architecture of visual cortex and discuss their implications for advancing computer vision technology.
Web: http://cbcl.mit.edu/publications/index-pubs.html
Contact: Tommy Poggio, 46-5177B, x3-5230, tp@ai.mit.edu
Sponsor: Brain and Cognitive Sciences
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Global Health Networking Event
Erika Wagner, Anjali Sastry
Tue Jan 27, 05-07:00pm, Stata R&D Commons
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
Are you interested in global health?
Did you know that MIT is strategically positioned to contribute to this field in a unique way?
Would you like to meet like-minded individuals and learn about a new student program that will train you to be a leader in issues relating to global health?
PLEASE JOIN US AT THE KICK-OFF RECEPTION FOR MIT'S EMERGING GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE
Refreshments will be served.
Contact: Michael Goldberg, E17-528, (617) 253-6457, mgoldbrg@MIT.EDU
Sponsor: Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation
Cosponsor: Sloan School of Management
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Grads on Ice!
Eliad Shmuel
Sat Jan 17, 09-11:00pm, JOHNSON ICE RINK
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
Join Jewish grad students from MIT and other Boston area colleges for a night of skating! Get ready for the semester by meeting new people, taking a break from research and showing off your skills (or lack thereof). Skate rental is free with a college ID.
Contact: Eliad Shmuel, eliad@MIT.EDU
Sponsor: Hillel
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Hillel phonathon
Danny Watt
Wed Jan 21, 06-10:00pm, W11 Hillel
Thu Jan 22, 06-10:00pm, W11 Hillel office
Mon Jan 26, Wed Jan 28, 06-10:00pm, W11 Hillel
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Free kosher food, kibbitz with friendly alumni, raise lots of money for Hillel
Contact: Danny Watt, dwatt@MIT.EDU
Sponsor: Hillel
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Humanities and Music Library Bookmobile
Humanities Library
Fri Jan 16, 11am-02:00pm, Lobby 10
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
The Humanities and Music Libraries will hold a special IAP Bookmobile highlighting Science Fiction, Fact and Fantasy.
Enrich your leisure time during IAP with books, DVDs and music from the Humanities and Music Library's collections.
Come check us out!
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Humanities Library, 14S-200
Lewis Music Library, 14E-109
Contact: Lisa Horowitz, 14S-200, x3-9353, lisah@mit.edu
Sponsor: Libraries
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Mars Society Discussions
Bruce Mackenzie
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Wed Jan 14th "How to Build a Mars Homestead"
Wed. Jan 21st "Designing a Mars Settlement Mockup & Demonstration Center"
Fri, Jan 23rd 1 pm - 2pm (NOTE different time!) "Raising the first Children in Space"
Wed. Jan 28th "Discussion of Mars Settlement Strategies"
Contact: Bruce Mackenzie, 33-418, (781) 249-5437, BMackenzie@alum.mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society
How to Build a Mars Homestead
Bruce Mackenzie
We may be able to build the first permanent settlement on Mars for about the same cost as a series of round trip missions, if we can save the cost of the return trips. A review of the Mars Foundation's "Hillside Settlement" and other proposals to start the settlement of space by building with locally produced materials.
Wed Jan 14, 11am-12:00pm, 33-418
Designing a Mars Settlement Mockup & Demonstration Center
Bruce Mackenzie
Introduction and start of a workshop to help design demonstrations and mockups showing the public how we might live & work on Mars.
Wed Jan 21, 11am-12:00pm, 33-418
Raising the first Children in Space
Bruce Mackenzie
As we venture further into space, and stay longer, the question arises: "When/Where/Why should we start having children born in space, and raising families." We have a list of topics and questions and problems to discuss, the answers are up to you.
Fri Jan 23, 01-02:00pm, 33-418
Mars Settlement Strategies
Bruce Mackenzie
Discuss the problems and possible solutions for living on Mars, and constructing a permanent settlement.
Wed Jan 28, 11am-12:00pm, 33-418
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Project Expo! Presentations for Prizes! Postponed to March!
Douglas Adams
Tue Jan 27, 02-06:00pm, 10-105 Bush Room
No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 21-Dec-2008
Single session event
Prereq: research or lab project
Be a Presenter!
Students can show off any project they've been working on to the entire MIT community. Course VI undergrads especially encouraged to present UROPs, UAPs, and final lab projects, but graduate students and other majors welcome. Poster presentations and in-progress projects are fine. Posterboard provided. Let lots of people see what you've accomplished. $500 in prizes, voted by company, faculty and student judges.
Be a Judge!
This is a great way to see what's going on at MIT, and get inspired to do a UROP or take a lab class. Vote on your favorite project.
Web: http://hkn.mit.edu/expo/
Contact: Douglas Adams, hkn-iap@mit.edu
Sponsor: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Cosponsor: Eta Kappa Nu
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Successful Event Planning Workshop for Students
Paul Spangle, Kristi Gundrum, Alicia Erwin, CJ Azubuine
Thu Jan 8, 07:30-09:00pm, Coffee House Stu Ctr
Thu Jan 22, 01-02:30pm, Coffee House Stu Ctr
No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: Repeating event. Participants welcome at any session
SAO, CAC and the PSC are hosting Event Planning Workshops directed toward anyone involved in an MIT student organization, officers and general membership, as well as anyone interested in planning programs & events at MIT. Learn how to develop a budget, seek donations, manage volunteers, produce task lists, assemble needed materials, seek publicity, work with vendors, and anticipate human behavior. Information on protocol for planning events on the MIT campus will also be included.
Contact: Paul Spangle, W20-549, x3-7605, pspangle@mit.edu
Sponsor: Public Service Center
Cosponsor: Student Activities Office
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The Distaff Arts: Medieval Clothing Technology
Anne McCants, Margo Collett, Miranda Knutson
Mon Jan 12 thru Thu Jan 15, 10am-04:00pm, E51-095
Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 05-Jan-2009
Limited to 15 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
This course explores a wide range of medieval textile and clothing production technologies, offering students hands on experience in their use. We will work with a raw fleece; card and spin the wool; use simple looms to weave a belt; dye a variety of fabrics; and design/construct a single garment - either a cloak or tunic. All materials provided - students must commit to all 4 days of class.
This course will question typical characterization of medieval textile work as unskilled, as well as consider distinctions usually made between activities labeled as crafts versus those labeled as art.
Contact: Anne E. C. McCants, E51-293, 258-6669, amccants@mit.edu
Sponsor: History
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Tour of Wallace Astrophysical Observatory
Michael J Person
Wed Jan 21, 07-11:00pm, Wallace Observatory
Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 19-Jan-2009
Limited to 25 participants.
Single session event
Due to the weather, the WAO IAP tour has been postponed to Wednesday, January 21st. Reservations are still being taken.
Come tour the heavens at MIT's George R. Wallace Jr. Astrophysical Observatory located 45 minutes northwest of Boston in Westford, MA. Use various telescopes from 14" to 24" for both visual observing and electronic imaging of Mars, Saturn, and other celestial bodies. Signup via listed website.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/wallace/iaptour/iaptour09.html
Contact: Michael J. Person, iaptour@occult.mit.edu
Sponsor: Wallace Astrophysical Observatory
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UROP @ 40: Past, Present, and Future
Michael Bergren, TBA
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
In fall 1969, MIT launched the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), an initiative designed to cultivate and support research partnerships between undergraduates and faculty. Today, UROP is regarded as MIT's flagship academic program, with 85% of students participating, across all disciplines.
To mark the Program's 40th anniversary, please join us for a series of presentations that highlights some of the cutting-edge research conducted by MIT undergraduates.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/urop/
Contact: UROP Staff, 7-104, x3-0736, urop@mit.edu
Sponsor: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
UROP Past: Changing History
Mike Tarkanian, '00
Until recent years it was widely believed that processed rubber was developed in 19th century Europe. Through determination, hard work, and the guidance and collaboration of MIT faculty, UROP student Mike Tarkanian '00 played a key role in the discovery that ancient Mesoamericans were processing latex to produce rubber as early as 1,600 BC. This finding received widespread media coverage, including an article in Science co-authored by Mr. Tarkanian.
Now a technical instructor in MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Mike will recount the events that led to this surprising discovery, and discuss how participating in UROP became a life-changing experience.
Introduced by Dorothy Hosler, Professor of Archaeology and Ancient Technology, who advised Mike throughout his research.
Thu Jan 15, 02-04:00pm, 32-123
UROP Present: Making a Difference
Various Presenters
Through the UROP experience, undergraduates use intellectual and practical tools to tackle a vast array of problems faced by people everywhere, from managing disease and other physical challenges, to improving and sustaining the environment.
A group of current UROP students will present on the various ways that their areas of research will make important differences in our lives, and our world. Presenters and Topics:
Danielle DeLatte, '11, Leveraged Freedom Chair
Alexander Rodriguez, '11, Finding a Novel Treatment for Parkinson's Disease
Nivedhitha Subramanian, '10, Morocco Urban Water
William Gibson, '10, In-vivo Models of Thrombosis
Thu Jan 22, 02-04:00pm, 32-123
UROP Future: Going Global
Various Presenters
More and more, MIT students are fnding ways to take UROP expertise overseas. In 2007-8, international UROP projects (referred to as (IROPs) took place in twenty different nations. This session will feature students presenting on their recent IROP experiences, and discussing how global research opportunities can greatly enhance the MIT experience. Student presentations will highlight UROP research in a variety of overseas locations, including the Indian Institute of Technology (Kanpur, India), the Chulabhorn Research Institute (Bangkok, Thailand), and CERN (Geneva, Switzerland).
Thu Jan 29, 02-04:00pm, 32-123
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Web Programming Competition Awards Show
Lydia Chilton
Fri Jan 30, 04-05:30pm, 10-250, Free T-Shirts!
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
The awards show for the 6.470 web programming competition.
Student sites are based on music, colleges, and cars. Sites will be original, funny, and beautiful. Prize presentations and judges' critiques.
Web: http://6.470.scripts.mit.edu
Contact: Lydia Chilton, 6.470-chair@mit.edu
Sponsor: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
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