21L.016 Learning from the Past: Drama, Science, Performance (MIT)
This class explores the creation (and creativity) of the modern scientific and cultural world through study of western Europe in the 17th century, the age of Descartes and Newton, Shakespeare, Milton and Ford. It compares period thinking to present-day debates about the scientific method, art, religion, and society. This team-taught, interdisciplinary subject draws on a wide range of literary, dramatic, historical, and scientific texts and images, and involves theatrical experimentation as well
17.418 Field Seminar: International Relations Theory (MIT)
This seminar provides an overview of the field of international relations. Each week, a different approach to explaining international relations will be examined. By surveying major concepts and theories in the field, the seminar will also assist graduate students in preparing for the comprehensive examination and further study in the department's more specialized offerings in international relations.
17.537 Politics and Policy in Contemporary Japan (MIT)
This subject is designed for upper level undergraduates and graduate students as an introduction to politics and the policy process in modern Japan. The semester is divided into two parts. After a two-week general introduction to Japan and to the dominant approaches to the study of Japanese history, politics and society, we will begin exploring five aspects of Japanese politics: party politics, electoral politics, interest group politics, bureaucratic politics, and policy, which will be broken u
6.047 Computational Biology: Genomes, Networks, Evolution (MIT)
This course focuses on the algorithmic and machine learning foundations of computational biology, combining theory with practice. We study the principles of algorithm design for biological datasets, and analyze influential problems and techniques. We use these to analyze real datasets from large-scale studies in genomics and proteomics. The topics covered include:
Genomes: biological sequence analysis, hidden Markov models, gene finding, RNA folding, sequence alignment, genome assembly
Networks
11.165 Infrastructure in Crisis: Energy and Security Challenges (MIT)
The purpose of this seminar is to examine efforts in developing and advanced nations and regions to create, finance and regulate infrastructure systems and services that affect energy security. We will introduce a variety of methodological and disciplinary perspectives. During the seminar, students will explore how an energy crisis can be an opportunity for making fundamental changes to improve collapsing infrastructure networks. The sessions will be used to introduce the challenges to modern s
14.451 Dynamic Optimization Methods with Applications (MIT)
This course focuses on dynamic optimization methods, both in discrete and in continuous time. We approach these problems from a dynamic programming and optimal control perspective. We also study the dynamic systems that come from the solutions to these problems. The course will illustrate how these techniques are useful in various applications, drawing on many economic examples. However, the focus will remain on gaining a general command of the tools so that they can be applied later in other cl
14.15J Networks (MIT)
Networks are ubiquitous in our modern society. The World Wide Web that links us to and enables information flows with the rest of the world is the most visible example. It is, however, only one of many networks within which we are situated. Our social life is organized around networks of friends and colleagues. These networks determine our information, influence our opinions, and shape our political attitudes. They also link us, often through important but weak ties, to everybody else in the Uni
21A.226 Ethnic and National Identity (MIT)
An introduction to the cross-cultural study of ethnic and national identity. We examine the concept of social identity, and consider the ways in which gendered, linguistic, religious, and ethno-racial identity components interact. We explore the history of nationalism, including the emergence of the idea of the nation-state, as well as ethnic conflict, globalization, identity politics, and human rights.
ESD.83 Doctoral Seminar in Engineering Systems (MIT)
In establishing the Engineering Systems Division, MIT has embarked on a bold experiment – bringing together diverse areas of expertise into what is designed to be a new field of study. In many respects, the full scale and scope of Engineering Systems as a field is still emerging. This seminar is simultaneously designed to codify what we presently know and to give direction for future development.
7.340 Learning and Memory: Activity-Controlled Gene Expression in the Nervous System (MIT)
The mammalian brain easily outperforms any computer. It adapts and changes constantly. Most importantly, the brain enables us to continuously learn and remember. What are the molecular mechanisms that lead to learning and memory? What are the cellular roles that activity-regulated gene products play to implement changes in the brain?How do nerve cells, their connections (synapses), and brain circuits change over time to store information? We will discuss the molecular mechanisms of neuronal plas
21W.784 Becoming Digital: Writing about Media Change (MIT)
"Becoming Digital" traces the change in practice, theory and possibility as mechanical and chemical media are augmented or supplanted by digital media. These changes will be grounded in a semester length study of "reports from the front." These reports, found and introduced by students throughout the semester, are the material produced by and about soldiers and civilians on the battlefield from the introduction of wet photography during the Crimean and Civil Wars to contempor
MAS.531 Computational Camera and Photography (MIT)
A computational camera attempts to digitally capture the essence of visual information by exploiting the synergistic combination of task-specific optics, illumination, sensors and processing. In this course we will study this emerging multi-disciplinary field at the intersection of signal processing, applied optics, computer graphics and vision, electronics, art, and online sharing through social networks. If novel cameras can be designed to sample light in radically new ways, then rich and usef
17.202 Graduate Seminar in American Politics II (MIT)
This is the second in a sequence of two field seminars in American politics intended for graduate students in political science, in preparation for taking the general examination in American politics. The material covered in this semester focuses on American political institutions. The readings covered here are not comprehensive, but it is sufficiently broad to give students an introduction to major empirical questions and theoretical approaches that guide the study of American political institu
Harry S. Stout, Baptized in Blood: "Moral Reflections on the American Civil War" – April 19, 2007
Harry S. Stout, Jonathan Edwards Professor of American Religious History at Yale University revisits the moral issues of the American Civil War. Part of the on-going series, Princeton Lectures in Religion and History. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religion.
Peter M. Ochs, The Fieldstone Corporation: "A Life of Significance: The Integration of Faith and Cha
Peter M. Ochs, Class of 1965 and Chairman of the Board of The Fieldstone Corporation speaks from his experiences in business and philanthropy. Part of the on-going series, Princeton Lectures in Religion and Ethics. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religion.
Dick DeVos, The Windquest Group: "Philanthropy...It's Definitely Not for Wimps!: Reflections on Fait
Dick DeVos, President of The Windquest Group speaks on the relationship between religion and money, drawing on his experiences as a businessman and philanthropist. A response is given by Stanley N. Katz, Lecturer with rank of Professor, Woodrow Wilson School, This is the inaugural lecture in the Doll Family Lectureship on Religion and Money established at the Center for the Study of Religion by Henry C. Doll, Class of 1958, and his family. The purpose of the lectureship is to bring distinguished
STS.S28 Godzilla and the Bullet Train: Technology and Culture in Modern Japan (MIT)
This course explores how and why Japan, a late-comer to modernization, emerged as an industrial power and the world's second-richest nation, notwithstanding its recent difficulties. We are particularly concerned with the historical development of technology in Japan especially after 1945, giving particular attention to the interplays between business, ideology, technology, and culture. We will discuss key historical phenomena that symbolize modern Japan as a technological power in the world; spe
War Studies Primer - an introductory course on the study of war and military history
War Studies Primer is an introductory course on the study of war and military history. Its purpose is to provide an introduction, or primer, to the study of war.
War Studies Primer is presented as a lecture curriculum at the senior high school and university level. It is a free course that consists ...
7.342 Developmental and Molecular Biology of Regeneration (MIT)
How does a regenerating animal "know" what's missing? How are stem cells or differentiated cells used to create new tissues during regeneration? In this class we will take a comparative approach to explore this fascinating problem by critically examining classic and modern scientific literature about the developmental and molecular biology of regeneration. We will learn about conserved developmental pathways that are necessary for regeneration, and we will discuss the relevance of these findings
15.988 System Dynamics Self Study (MIT)
Many books and thousands of papers cover the field of system dynamics. With all of these resources available, it can be difficult to know where to begin. The System Dynamics in Education Project at MIT put together these resources to help people sort through the vast library of books and papers on system dynamics. This course site includes a collection of papers and computer exercises entitled “Road Maps,” as well as a collection of assignments and solutions that were initially part
