IAP Independent Activities Period
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IAP 2012 Subjects

Urban Studies and Planning

11.130
Educational Theory and Practice II
Reen Gibb
Tue Jan 10, 17, 24, 31, 04-06:15pm, E15-301

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
No listeners
Prereq: 11.129
Level: U 12 units Standard A - F Grading   

Concentrates on the theory and psychology associated with student learning. Topics include educational theory, educational psychology, and theories of learning. Student teaching is a key component. Assignments include readings from educational literature, written reflections on classroom observations, presentations on class topics, and practice teaching. Second of a three-course sequence necessary to complete the Teacher Education Program.
IAP is devoted to fulltime student teaching. The MIT student assumes full responsibility for teaching two or more classes at their designated school. The MIT class sessions are a time to debrief and problem solve on the student teaching experience.

11.124 also a prerequisite.
Contact: Reen Gibb, 10-337, (617) 253-2025

11.S950
Special Seminar in Urban Studies and Planning
Getting Things Implemented
Xavier de Souza Briggs
Mon Jan 9 thru Fri Jan 13, 09am-12:00pm, W31-301

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
Prereq: Permission of instructor (for non-MIT students)
Level: G 3 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   

For graduate students wishing to pursue further study in advanced areas of urban studies and city and regional planning not covered in regular subjects of instruction.
An old saying holds that "there are many more good ideas in the world than good ideas implemented." This is a case-based introduction to the fundamentals of effective implementation. Developed with the needs and interests of planners—but also with broad potential application—in mind, this course is a fast-paced, case-driven introduction to developing strategy for organizations and projects, managing operations, recruiting and developing talent, taking calculated risks, measuring results (performance), and leading adaptive change, for example where new mental models and habits are required but also challenging to promote. Our cases are set in the U.S. and the developing world and in multiple work sectors (urban redevelopment, transportation, workforce development, housing, etc.). We will draw on public, private, and nonprofit implementation concepts and experience.
Contact: Xavier de Souza Briggs, 9-521, x3-7956, xbriggs@mit.edu

11.S951
Special Seminar: Urban Studies and Planning
Reflective Practice in Green Economic Development
Karl Seidman, Ceasar McDowell
Mon Jan 23 thru Thu Jan 26, 09am-12:00pm, 9-450A

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Level: G 2 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   

For graduate students wishing to pursue further study in advanced areas of urban studies and city and regional planning not covered in regular subjects of instruction.
In this course, students will explore the challenges of integrating environmental sustainability and equity goals into economic development practice and potential strategies and best practices to achieve this integration, working with a cross section of practitioners visiting MIT as Mel King Fellows. Students will learn approaches to reflective practice, collaborate with the Mel King Fellows in applying some of these approaches and then draw lessons on the value and learning from their work with the fellows.
Contact: Karl Seidman, 9-511A, x3-3964, seidman@mit.edu

11.S953
Special Seminar: Urban Studies and Planning
Action Research: What is it and Why is it Important to DUSP Students and Faculty?
Lawrence Susskind
Wed Jan 11, 10am-04:00pm, 9-450A

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Limited to 15 participants.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Level: G 1 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   

For graduate students wishing to pursue further study in advanced areas of urban studies and city and regional planning not covered in regular subjects of instruction.
Action Research is an approach to question asking and answering that puts a premium on directly engaging the subjects and users of applied social science research. It does not adhere to social science conventions regarding ways of knowing that put a barrier between the researcher and the people and places they seek to help. Action Research is not concerned about the replicability of research findings in the same way that natural science is. The legitimacy of Action Research findings comes primarily from the contributions its adherents make to facilitating successful action by people and communities as they seek to address the problems they face in their everyday lives.

1 credit (for students who complete a written assignment; 3 credit option for students enrolling in additional independent study with longer written assignment). We will meet on January 11th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and again on the same day from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. [Sponsored by Co-Lab]
Contact: Lawrence Susskind, 9-332, (617) 253-2026, susskind@mit.edu

11.S954
Special Seminar: Urban Studies and Planning
Reflective Practice: Building Personal Theories of Practice Through Systematic Reflection on Our Own Experience
Lawrence Susskind
Tue Jan 17, 10am-04:00pm, 9-450A

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Limited to 15 participants.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Level: H 1 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   

For graduate students wishing to pursue further study in advanced areas of urban studies and city and regional planning not covered in regular subjects of instruction.
DUSP, mostly because of Professor Donald Schon, is identified with the concept of reflective practice. We will discuss excerpts from Schon's writing, talk about our own personal theories of practice and compare notes on how we learn from field-based experience. Participants will be asked to describe an episode from their own work that was important to the development or revision of their personal theory of planning practice. We will also discuss ways in which DUSP can do more to help students formulate, test and revise personal theories of practice.

We will meet on January 17th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and again on the same day from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. 1 credit (for students who complete a written assignment; 3 credit option for students enrolling in additional independent study with longer written assignment) [Sponsored by Co-Lab]
Contact: Lawrence Susskind, 9-332, susskind@mit.edu

11.S955
Special Seminar: Urban Studies and Planning
CoLab-orative Methods for Planning with Communities
Ceasar McDowell, Alexa Mills, Patricia Molina Costa, Amy Stitely
Tue Jan 31, Wed Feb 1, Thu Feb 2, 09am-01:00pm, 9-450B

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Level: H 2 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   

For graduate students wishing to pursue further study in advanced areas of urban studies and city and regional planning not covered in regular subjects of instruction.
In this three-day intensive, students will develop foundational skills and knowledge for effectively engaging communities in participatory planning processes. Through hands-on exercises, students will learn how to use community media, participatory visioning, and reflective practice when working in the field. These three practices are core to how CoLab uncovers and uplifts local knowledge when working with community partners. Through reading, lecture, and discussion, students will also explore the underlying planning theory that informs all of these methodologies.
Contact: Ceasar McDowell, 9-541, (617) 253-7587, ceasar@mit.edu

11.S958
Special Seminar: Urban Studies and Planning
Planning Studio – Tianjin
Tunney Lee
Mon Jan 9 thru Sat Jan 14, 09am-05:00pm, University of Tianji

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
No listeners
Prereq: Permission of instructor Permission of instructor and registered for 11.306 – Plannin
Level: H 6 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   

For graduate students wishing to pursue further study in advanced areas of urban studies and city and regional planning not covered in regular subjects of instruction.
Small group study of advanced subjects under staff supervision. Travel to Tianjin for a twelve day on-site workshop (1/5-1/14). Students will conduct a survey and evaluation of the previously identified residential neighborhood. With the aid of the University of Tianjin , Vanke, city agencies, students will use interviews and visual mapping methods to investigate and collect information necessary to make evaluations of the project. A design/planning charrette will be held to generate preliminary ideas. The output of the workshop will be incorporated into the Planning Studio.
Contact: Tunney Lee, 10-485, x8-7275, tflee@mit.edu

11.S959
Special Seminar: Urban Studies and Planning
Site Planning Studio/Practicum -- Israel
Eran Ben-Joseph
Sat Jan 21 thru Tue Jan 31, 09am-05:00pm, Israel

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
No listeners
Prereq: Permission of instructor Permission of Instructor and registered for 11.304/Site Plan
Level: H 6 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   

For graduate students wishing to pursue further study in advanced areas of urban studies and city and regional planning not covered in regular subjects of instruction.
Travel to Israel for ten-day on-site workshop. The output of the workshop will be incorporated into the Spring Practicum/Studio.
Contact: Eran Ben-Joseph, 10-485, x3-7305, ebj@mit.edu


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Last update: 7 Sept. 2011