MIT: Independent Activities Period: IAP 2016

IAP 2016 Subjects: Political Science


17.567
Israel: History, Politics, Culture, and Identity
Nahum Karlinsky, Tobie Weiner
Tue-Fri, Jan 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-29, 10am-01:00pm, 66-168, 2 sections T/R & W/F

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
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.
The purpose of this class is to give a basic understanding of modern Israel and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through lectures, discussions and projects. Topics to be explored are: Israeli political regime and society; the struggle for Israel's identity; is there a unique Israeli culture?; Israel's settlement projects and Occupation; Jewish-ethnic relations in Israel; the Palestine-Arab minority in the Jewish state. A special emphasis will be given to Israel's technology and hi-tech industries.
There are two sections of this class - one on Tuesdays and Thursdays and one on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Contact: Nahum Karlinsky, nahumk@mit.edu

17.910
Reading Seminar in Social Science
Fundamentals of Science and Technology Public Policy Making: MIT Sci/Tech Policy Bootcamp
William Bonvillian, Hannah Groshong
Tue Jan 19 thru Fri Jan 22, 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 by December 11
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RfFxTWd4wlOJRLwKYwzsy-x3htmvLRoNZjnEqSKYHNE/viewform?usp=send_form
Contact: Hannah Groshong, groshong@mit.edu

17.922
Martin Luther King, Jr. Design Seminar
Tobie Weiner
Mon-Fri, Jan 4-8, 11-15, 19-22, 25-29, 03-05:00pm, E51-315

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Limited to 90 participants.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
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 4-8, 11-15, 19-22, 25-29, 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