MIT: Independent Activities Period: IAP 2015

IAP 2015 Subjects: Political Science


17.567
Israel: History, Politics, Culture, and Identity
Nahum Karlinsky, Tobie Weiner
Tue, Thu, Jan 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29, 10am-01:00pm, 66-168

Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS.
Enter lottery by: 08-Dec-2014
Limited to 30 participants.
No listeners
Prereq: 
Level: U 9 units Standard A - F Grading    HASS-S

Examines Israeli identity using a broad array of materials, including popular music, film, documentaries and art, in addition to academic historical writings. Topics include Israel's political system and society, ethnic relations, settlement projects, and the Arab minorities in the Jewish state. Students also discuss whether there is a unique Israeli culture and the struggle for Israel's identity.
Class is limited priority given to MISTI Israel students. Please copy the link below & paste into your browser for the form. Fill out form & submit by December 8. We will contact you shortly after to let you know if you are in the class.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oERI25rlU8TqwbtJsMGDTO8A_xBzyy8UdRi9O_O2eVo/viewform

The purpose of this class is to give a basic understanding of modern Israel through lectures, discussions and projects. Topics to be explored are: Israeli regime and society; ethnic relations in Israel; the Palestine-Arab minority in the Jewish state; is there a unique Israeli culture?; Israel's settlement projects and the struggle for Israel's identity. There will be special emphasis on Israel's energy sector.
Contact: Nahum Karlinsky, nahumk@mit.edu

17.909
Reading Seminar in Social Science
Don't Be Evil: Ethics and New Technology
Benjamin Armstrong
Mon Jan 26 thru Fri Jan 30, 01-04:00pm, E53-485

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
Prereq: 
Level: U 3 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   

While new technologies promise to improve health, wealth and happiness they also create challenges for each. Inventors and consumers of these technologies have become accustomed to them as professional norms or mere products, not subjects of ethical debate. This seminar challenges us to understand the ethical controversy at the heart of many new technologies. We will strip the technology from its immediate context and re-examine it through frameworks of ethical philosophy. Resolving the benefits and consequences of new technologies will help us define the role that we seek for them to play in our life and community.
Contact: Benjamin Armstrong, armst@mit.edu

17.910
Reading Seminar in Social Science
Fundamentals of Science and Technology Public Policy Making: MIT Sci/Tech Policy Bootcamp
William Bonvillian, Erik Tillman
Tue Jan 20 thru Fri Jan 23, 09am-03:00pm, 56-114

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
No listeners
Prereq: 
Level: U 3 units Standard A - F Grading Can be repeated for credit   

Examines the public policy behind, & the government's role in science and technology-based innovation system. Emphasis placed on US S&T system, but international examples discussed. Seminar aims to equip those planning careers in and around science and technology with basic background for involvement in science policymaking.
Issues: 1)drivers behind S&T support: growth economics, direct, indirect innovation factors, innovation systems theory, the "valley of death" between R&D and public-private partnership models; 2)organizing framework behind US science agencies, and the DARPA model as an alternative; 3)how innovation is organized when it's face-to-face; 4)barriers and challenges to health science advance; 5)The energy technology challenge - how the science/tech innovation system needs to be organized to meet it within an existing and established complex economic sector; and 5) upcoming competitiveness challenge in advanced manufacturing.
Please fill out this form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QRc-otW15bHCjyLiS7wKDoRGqD2SPPHpi3vTFy7x5ew/viewform
Contact: Erik Tillman, etillman@mit.edu

17.922
Martin Luther King, Jr. Design Seminar
Tobie Weiner
Mon-Fri, Jan 5-9, 12-16, 20-23, 26-30, 03-05:00pm, E51-315

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Limited to 90 participants.
No listeners
Prereq: 
Level: U 12 units Standard A - F Grading Can be repeated for credit   

Facilitates design and construction of installations and other community projects in conjunction with and beyond MIT's celebration of Dr. King. Students discuss the ideas and goals of Dr. King and other human rights leaders in the US and the world. The first half of the class develops in-depth understanding of the history of US racial issues as well as past and present domestic and international political struggles. Addresses issues of justice, equality and racism through videos, readings and writings, and class discussions. In the second half, students work as a group complete the installation and projects which serve as models for connecting academics with real life problems and struggle.
Participants in the seminar may address aspects of the theme of the MLK Celebration's honored speaker and their thoughts on civil and human rights, justice, equality, race, racism and the principles of Dr. King. It is hoped that the seminar and the projects will encourage interaction and foster communication among members of the MIT community with diverse backgrounds.
Contact: Tobie Weiner, E53-484, x3-3649, iguanatw@mit.edu

17.923
Martin Luther King, Jr. Design Seminar for Facilitators/Teachers
Tobie Weiner
Mon-Fri, Jan 5-9, 12-16, 20-23, 26-30, 03-05:00pm, E51-315

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
No listeners
Prereq: 17.922
Level: U 12 units Standard A - F Grading Can be repeated for credit   

Students participate in the class but also assist instructor in the design and execution of the curriculum and actively participate in the instruction and monitoring of class participants. Students prepare subject materials, lead discussion groups, and review progress. Includes daily evaluation and meetings to reflect on the class itself and the students' performance as leaders.
Students participate in the class but also assist instructor in the design and execution of the curriculum and actively participate in the instruction and monitoring of class participants. Students prepare subject materials, lead discussion groups, and review progress. Includes daily evaluation and meetings to reflect on the class itself and the students' performance as leaders.
Contact: Tobie Weiner, E53-484, x3-3649, iguanatw@mit.edu