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Course Criteria
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3.00 Credits
Introduction to the "inner history" of technology: how it affects intimate aspects of human experience from sociological, psychological and anthropological perspectives. Topics include how the internet transforms our experience of time, space, privacy, and social engagement; how entertainment media affects attention, emotion, and creativity; how medical technologies alter the experience of illness, reproduction, and mortality; how pharmaceuticals reshape identity, mood, pain, and pleasure. In-class discussion of readings, short written assignments, final project.
Prerequisite:
Prereq: None
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3.00 Credits
Provides a broad conceptual and historical introduction to scientific theories of evolution and their place in the wider culture. Embraces historical, scientific and anthropological/cultural perspectives grounded in relevant developments in the biological sciences since 1800 that are largely responsible for the development of the modern theory of evolution by natural selection. Students read key texts, analyze key debates (e.g. Darwinian debates in the 19th century, and the creation controversies in the 20th century) and give class presentations.
Prerequisite:
Prereq: None
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3.00 Credits
Explores social relevance of neuroscience, considering how emerging areas of brain research reflect and reshape social attitudes and agendas. Topics include brain imaging and popular media; neuroscience of empathy, trust, and moral reasoning; new fields of neuroeconomics and neuromarketing; ethical implications of neurotechnologies such as cognitive enhancement pharmaceuticals; neuroscience in the courtroom; and neuroscientific recasting of social problems such as addiction and violence. Guest lectures by neuroscientists, class discussion, and weekly readings in neuroscience, popular media, and science studies.
Prerequisite:
Prereq: None
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3.00 Credits
Focuses on controversial scientific episodes with emphasis on the social dimensions at play. Using case studies, class shows how debates take place in the context of a wide range of factors influencing scientists? opinions and decisions. Topics include debates about the scientific method, environmental controversies, biomedical research, genetic engineering, (mis)use of human subjects, scientific misconduct, and whistleblowing. Students work in small groups. For their final projects, groups are encouraged to pick one such controversy and document it.
Prerequisite:
Prereq: None
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3.00 Credits
Global survey of the great transformation in history known as the "Industrial Revolution." Topics include origins of mechanized production, the factory system, steam propulsion, electrification, mass communications, mass production and automation. Emphasis on the transfer of technology and its many adaptations around the world. Countries treated include Great Britain, France, Germany, the US, Sweden, Russia, Japan, China, and India. Includes brief reflection papers and a final paper.
Prerequisite:
Prereq: None
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3.00 Credits
Using the American Civil War as a baseline, considers what it means to become ?modern? by exploring the war?s material and manpower needs, associated key technologies, and how both influenced the United States? entrance into the age of ?Big Business.? Readings include material on steam transportation, telegraphic communications, arms production, naval innovation, food processing, medicine, public health, management methods, and the mass production of everything from underwear to uniforms ? all essential ingredients of modernity. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.
Prerequisite:
Prereq: Permission of instructor
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3.00 Credits
Anti-slavery and the intensification of sectionalism in the 1850s; the secession crisis; political and military developments in the Civil War years; key technological innovations (including medicine); why the North won; and the political, economic, and social legacies of the conflict.
Prerequisite:
Prereq: None
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3.00 Credits
Examines national and global energy debates, namely energy security, climate change, and energy access. Explores technological, market, environmental, cultural and political "fixes" to the energy question, as well as a wide variety of energy forms and stakeholders. Evaluates development, nuclear security, environment ethics, and conflicts between energy and food security. Includes debates, presentations, group projects (in class and in the Cambridge community), grant-writing, and individual written assignments.
Prerequisite:
Prereq: None
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3.00 Credits
Develops students' abilities to communicate science effectively in a variety of real-world contexts. Covers strategies for dealing with complex areas like theoretical physics, genomics and neuroscience, and addresses challenges in communicating about topics such as climate change and evolution. Projects focus on speaking and writing, being an expert witness, preparing briefings for policy-makers, writing blogs, and giving live interviews for broadcast, as well as the creation of an interactive exhibit for display in the MIT Museum.
Prerequisite:
Prereq: None
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3.00 Credits
Explores the meanings of "technology" and "imagination," the ways that technologies stimulate imagination, and the ways that imagination stimulates technological development and use. Draws upon the history of technology and science, literary and cultural theory, and imaginative writing. Readings range from Romantic poets to recent novels. Topics include scientific instrumentation, utopianism, and space travel. Students are encouraged to relate class materials to popular culture, including visual and online media. Limited to 25.
Prerequisite:
Prereq: None
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