Carleton College

IDSC 099. Summer Quantitative Reasoning Institute The Summer Quantitative Reasoning Institute (SQRI) is a three-week intensive training in quantitative methods in the social sciences. Instruction is divided into week-long courses in political science/international relations, economics, and psychology. Students work on group research projects in their single core discipline under faculty direction. Study includes classroom work, lab work, and some field trips. For high school juniors and seniors. 6 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; NE, Summer—A. Montero, A. Swoboda, J. Strand

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—C. Davidson, S. Drew

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., 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: https://apps.carleton.edu/dialogue/. 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; NE, IDS, Winter—Staff

IDSC 120. AI & R: Art, Interactivity, and Robotics Wiggle, spin, buzz, whir--it's smart art, using robotic technology! In this hands-on seminar, we'll add a new twist to 3-D art by activating it with microprocessors. Imagine the fundamentals of computer science, sculpture, engineering, and aesthetic design all brought together in innovative, whimsical constructions. Students will engage the nuts-and-bolts of fabrication, learn to program computers, and get the insider's guide to the ways robots think. This collaborative lab will culminate in a campus wide exhibition. No prior experience is required--this course welcomes all students with artistic inclinations and light bulbs in their brains./p> Prerequisite: Students who taken any combination of Studio Art 122, Computer Science 111, or higher numbered Computer Science courses are not eligible to enroll. 6 cr., NE, Winter—S. Mohring, D. Musicant

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—D. Gross

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—A. Estill, W. North

IDSC 203. Talking about Diversity This course prepares students to facilitate peer-led conversations about diversity. Students learn about categories and theories related to social identity, power, and inequality, and explore how race, gender, class, and sexual orientation 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. Participants in this class may apply to facilitate sections of IDSC 103, a 2-credit student-led course in winter term. Prerequisite: By application only. 4 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. This course is intended for students with at least one previous or concurrent introductory mathematics or natural science course. 6 cr., ND, WR; LA, WR2, QRE, Not offered in 2013-2014.

IDSC 251. Windows on the Good Life Human beings are always and everywhere challenged by the question: What should I do to spend my mortal time well? One way to approach this ultimate challenge is to explore some of the great cultural products of our civilization--works that are a delight to read for their wisdom and artfulness. This series of two-credit courses will explore a philosophical dialogue of Plato in the fall, a work from the Bible in the winter, and a pair of plays by Shakespeare in the spring. The course can be repeated for credit throughout the year and in subsequent years. 2 cr., S/CR/NC, HI, Fall—L. Cooper, A. Rubenstein

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. 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; SI, Not offered in 2013-2014.

IDSC 289. Science Fellows Research Colloquium This colloquium develops the skills needed to engage in and communicate scientific and mathematical research. Topics will vary each term, but will include searching and reading the primary literature and communicating results orally and via posters. The colloquium will also explore the landscape of academic scientific research and how to negotiate the expectations of being a research group member. Prerequisite: Instructor permission required. 1 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; NE, Spring—M. Eblen-Zayas

IDSC 298. Focus Sophomore Colloquium This colloquium is designed for sophomore students participating in the Focusing on Cultivating Scientists program. It will provide an opportunity to participate in STEM-based projects on campus and in the community. The topics of this project-based colloquium will vary each term. Prerequisite: Interdisciplinary Studies 198. 1 cr., S/CR/NC, NE, Fall,Winter,Spring—C Blaha