[bioundgrd] iap: new perspectives on global issues

[Rachel McPherson]

>
>Beyond the Institute:
>
>New Perspectives on Global Issues
>
>Become a better engineer.
>Become a better scientist.
>Become a better MIT student.
>
>
>This IAP goes beyond the science classroom to 
>examine the major issues that headline the news. 
>Understand how society is currently affected by 
>science and technology and in turn how it 
>affects the world we live in.  In the “real 
>world”, it is this global awareness and insight 
>that will make you different from the 
>stereotypical MIT nerd.
>
>
>Why Are Only 2.5% of People with HIV Receiving Treatment?
>
>Professor David Jones
>
>Tuesday, January 17
>
>Room 3-133, 4-6 PM
>
>
>In the twenty-five years since AIDS was 
>discovered, over 23,000,000 people have died 
>from the disease. The mortality continues to 
>increase even though powerful and effective 
>treatments have been available since 1995. 
>Moreover, fewer than 5% of people with HIV 
>currently receive adequate treatment. This talk 
>will examine the science, technology, history, 
>and politics of HIV/AIDS to understand why the 
>disease has been so difficult to control.
>
>
>David Jones received his MD and PhD, in History 
>of Science, from Harvard University. After 
>completing his training in psychiatry, he joined 
>the MIT faculty in 2005.  His research has 
>focused on infectious disease, health 
>disparities, and medical technology.
>
>What does it mean to live in a technological world?
>
>
>Professor Rosalind Williams
>
>Thursday, January 19
>
>Room 3-133, 4-6PM
>
>
>Through popular culture we try to understand the 
>interactions of science, technology, and 
>society. We now live in a technological world: 
>what does this mean for human life, both 
>individually and collectively? Works of fiction 
>help answer this question. In particular, books 
>and movies about imaginary underworlds help us 
>think through the implications of human life in 
>a largely artificial environment. In this IAP 
>event, we will view and discuss short clips from 
>movie versions of some 19th century imaginary 
>underworlds (such as Jules Verne's Journey to 
>the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues under 
>the Sea, and H.G. Wells' The Time Machine) as 
>well as some more recent movies set in 
>underworlds or enclosed environments (Blade 
>Runner,Lost in Translation, Matrix Reloaded, and 
>Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers). We will try 
>to summarize some of the conclusions from these 
>cultural “thought experiments” about life in a 
>human-built world.
>
>
>Public Engagement with Science: Some STS Lessons 
>from the 'Intelligent Design' Debate
>
>John Durant, Adjunct Professor and Director of the MIT Museum
>
>Tuesday, January 24
>
>3-133, 4-6PM
>
>
>On 20th December 2005, Judge Jones threw out the Dover, Pennsylvania Local
>
>School Board ruling that required teachers to read a statement about evolution
>
>and 'Intelligent Design' to students in ninth grade biology classes at Dover
>
>High School. This was merely the latest episode in an 80-year-long battle over
>
>the teaching of evolution in America's public 
>schools and colleges. Who are the
>
>major players in the debate today? What are the 
>major issues at stake? And what
>
>strategies and tactics are being employed on each side of the argument? In
>
>short, what can an STS analysis tell us about the nature and significance of
>
>the ID debate - past, present and future.
>
>
>‘Rooted in History and Culture': Accidents and 
>Engineering in the Manned Space Program
>
>Alexander Brown, Dibner Institute Graduate Student Fellow
>
>Thursday January 26
>
>4-231, 4-6PM
>
>
>Alexander Brown will discuss the history of 
>accidents in the US Manned Spaceflight Program. 
>The talk will cover the Apollo 1 and Challenger 
>accidents and show how STS provides new ways to 
>think about them.
>
>
>
>For Further information on any of these events, 
>please contact the STS office at 
><mailto:stsprogram at mit.edu>stsprogram at mit.edu or 
>3-3452.
>
>Kathaleen Brearley
>Assistant to the Academic Administrator
>Program in Science, Technology, and Society
>Doctoral Program in History, Anthropology, and
>Science, Technology and Society (HASTS)
>Massachusetts Institute of Technology
>77 Mass. Ave., E51-185
>Cambridge, MA 02139
>Phone: 617-253-1990
>Fax: 617-258-8118
>brearley at mit.edu

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