Carleton College

IDSC 100. Measured Thinking: Reasoning with Numbers about World Events, Health, Science and Social Issues This interdisciplinary course addresses one of the signal features of contemporary academic, professional, public, and personal life: a reliance on information and arguments involving numbers. We will examine how numbers are used and misused in verbal, statistical, and graphical form in discussions of world events, health, science, and social issues. Students will also apply quantitative reasoning skills to assist community organizations. 6 cr., S/CR/NC, SS, Fall—N. Grawe, N. Lutsky

IDSC 198. FriSC-E Colloquium This colloquium is designed to give students participating in the Freshman Interdepartmental Science Cohort Experience (FrISC-E) an opportunity to learn and use skills in scientific study, reasoning, and modeling. The topics of this project-based colloquium will vary each term, and allow students to develop competencies in areas relevant to multiple science disciplines. S/CR/NC, ND, Fall,Winter,Spring

IDSC 209. Writing Science This course will explore how scientists communicate. Focused on communication expected in the sciences. The assignments will range among math and natural science disciplines, using data, graphics and text for a variety of purposes. Students should expect reading, writing, and speaking assignments tailored to a variety of audiences, including professional scientific audiences and the broader community. This course is intended for students who have taken at least one introductory mathematics or natural science course. 6 cr., ND, Spring—C. Blaha, C. Rutz

IDSC 217. Interdisciplinary Computational Modeling This course will expose students with an introductory science background to the complexity and interdisciplinary natures of real-world science problems. It will also show them, by example, the value of intelligent modeling and introduce them to how modeling works. The students will be exposed to particular tools, including computational packages, and will spend the second half of the course applying these techniques working one particular project in small interdisciplinary teams. No prior knowledge of computation and only some calculus background are assumed. Prerequisites: Mathematics 131 and 141 or 151 and at least one introductory science course with a lab or by permission of instructor. 6 cr., MS, Spring—C. Blaha, A. Pattanayak

IDSC 230. Dialogue on Race and Antiracism This course examines antiracism racism theory and practice from the perspective of both critical race theory and ethical and social justice theories. The course employs a circle approach to antiracism dialogue, study and community formation. It explores the interpersonal dynamics of racism and the ways social behaviors and identifties have been formed in the context of "race" and through the practices of racism in the United States. Attention will be given to the potential for transformation from unconscious, unaware racism to an antiracist consciousness. ND 3 cr., ND, Winter—H. Perkins, M. Otto

IDSC 250. Middle East Mosaics Program: Cultural Diversity in a Muslim Society: Aspects of Moroccan Culture A three-week course focusing on diverse cultural traditions that define Moroccan society to be taught by on-site expert from Mohammed V University in Rabat. Through readings, discussions, interactions with guest speakers, and visits to local sites and museums students will have the opportunity to explore political and artistic views in daily life, dynamics of multilingualism, the historical and contemporary role of Islam, and the cultural interaction between Berber, Arab, and European cultures. 3 cr., ND, Winter—Staff

IDSC 260. Freedom of Speech When words hurt others, undermine duly constituted authority, or attack sacred values should their authors be censured or should they be permitted to write or speak out in spite of such consequences? Is any good use served by permitting defamatory, unpatriotic, or blasphemous material to be printed or spoken? Is public discussion of overthrow of a government ever justified? What about use of the "N word" or other contemptuous terms in the classroom, or in literature? Through reading and discussion this course will analyze kinds of free speech that raise ethical issues. We will discuss the history, contexts, limits, and consequences of free speech and its inhibition. One meeting weekly. No formal essays or exams will be required, but attendance and class participation are mandatory for credit. Prerequisites: None 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND, Winter—S. Schuster, B. Tisdale

IDSC 261. Economics and Social Justice Traditionally economists have focused primarily on the material well-being of individuals as a measure of their welfare, but philosophers and others have found this material focus limiting, arguing that utility maximization does not do justice to the complexity of human beings. This reading course will examine various definitions of social justice and the impact of these different concepts on economic objectives, outcomes and policies. No formal essays or exams will be required, but attendance and class participation are mandatory for credit. Prerequisites: None 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND, Winter—M. Hemesath

IDSC 290. Middle East Mosaics Program: Introduction to Religion, Economics, Literature, and History in the Mid A reading course to be completed during winter break (prior to departure). A multi-disciplinary introduction to the Middle East with emphasis given to Egyptian, Turkish, and Moroccan societies. The readings will provide a background for the literature, religion, and policy courses that make up the program on site. 3 cr., S/CR/NC, ND, Winter—Staff