Carleton College

IDSC 099. Summer Science Institute This course consists of three one-week seminars with faculty from various departments in the sciences. Topics change from year to year, depending on faculty interests. Classes consist of a mix of lecture, hands-on activities, problem sets, and completion of an independent research project. For high school juniors and seniors. 6 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; NE, Summer—Staff

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., WR; AI, WR1, QRE, Fall—N. Lutsky

IDSC 103. Student Conversations about Diversity and Community In this course students participate in peer-led conversations about diversity and community at Carleton. Students complete readings and engage in experiential exercises that invite them to reflect on their own social identities and their attitudes toward race, gender, class, and sexuality. By taking risks and engaging in honest conversations and self-reflection, students work together to understand differences and to explore how to build communities that are welcoming and open to diversity. Students are required to keep a weekly journal that is graded by faculty members. Required application form may be downloaded from Dean of Student's web-page. 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; NE, Winter—Faculty on Intergroup Dialogue

IDSC 198. Focus Colloquium This colloquium is designed to give students participating in the Focusing on Cultivating Scientists program 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. 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; NE, Fall,Winter,Spring—E. Egge

IDSC 202. MMUF Research Seminar This seminar develops the skills needed to engage in and communicate advanced research. Each participant will work and present regularly on their ongoing research projects, and participate actively in an ongoing series of workshops and conferences. The seminar will also discuss in depth the nature of academia as institution and culture, and the role of diversity in the production of knowledge and teaching in American higher education. Prerequisite: MMUF fellow status. 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; NE, Fall,Winter,Spring—W. North

IDSC 203. Talking about Diversity In this course students learn about categories and theories related to social identity, power, and inequality, and explore how complex variables related to race, gender, class, and sexuality affect individual experience and communal structures. Students complete readings and engage in experiential exercises that invite them to reflect on their own social identities and their reactions to difference, diversity, and conflict. Students are required to keep a weekly journal and to participate in class leadership or a special project. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; NE, Fall—A. Estill

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. Prerequisite: At least one previous or concurrent introductory mathematics or natural science course. 6 cr., ND, WR; LA, WR2, QRE, Winter—C. Blaha, C. Rutz

IDSC 261. Economic 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. Attendance and class participation are mandatory for credit. 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; SI, Fall—M. Hemesath

IDSC 263. Uses and Abuses of Behavioral Research We will explore ethical dilemmas that arise during the conduct of scientific studies (e.g. treatment of participants) and dilemmas that arise in the application or use of scientific findings. We will examine these issues by first exploring our own ethical decision making practices (e.g. principles that guide our decisions and actions); then we'll consider similar and unique challenges faced by scientists attempting to balance personal and professional goals with ethical principles; then we’ll discuss examples of experiments that raise ethical questions (e.g. how did scientists deal with those dilemmas); and end with real world uses and applications of scientific findings. 3 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; SI, Not offered in 2010-2011.