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| Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Science Studies (School of Humanities and Social Sciences) |
| IHSS-1210 Information Technology Revolution: Myth or Reality? This course examines a broad spectrum of information technologies, from alphabets, calendars, and the first world maps to GIS and GPS; from telephones and radio to cybernetics, the gene chip, and quantum cryptography; from the first computer to the Internet. One goal is for students to learn how technological innovation happens and affects the world. Another goal is to explore the history of IT, teaching students how to use the past to “think the future.” (Cross listed as ITEC-1210. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and ITEC-1210.) Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| IHSS-1220 Politics and Economics of Information Technology Will IT increase prosperity? For whom? What role should governments play in IT development? Do corporations have new responsibilities in the Information Era? What about IT professionals? This course explores the issues, the arguments, and the working solutions. The first section examines macro indicators and trends. The second section examines the microeconomics and politics of specific arenas—the software industry, the automated work place, telemedicine, television. The last section explores opportunities for improving society using IT. (Cross listed as ITEC-1220. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and ITEC-1220.) Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| IHSS-1500 Product Design and Innovation Design Studio I The first design studio in the Product Design and Innovation Program introduces students to general design through a series of short projects. The projects stress creative thinking and invention, observation and perception, communication and visualization, sketching, photography, model-making, and especially open-ended exploration. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| IHSS-1960 Topics in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Science Studies 4 credit hours |
| IHSS-2100 Introduction to Environmental Studies An introduction to a variety of ways to study the environment, especially science and technology studies, environmental science, and environmental engineering. Case studies and projects emphasize the cooperation of disciplines in addressing local and global environmental issues such as PCBs in the Hudson River, acid rain in the Adirondacks, and population growth. (Cross listed as IENV-2100. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and IENV-2100.) Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| IHSS-2500 Product Design and Innovation Studio III This studio design course focuses on an enriched sense of problem definition through an emphasis on the reach and interconnectedness of technology, and the conditionality of design selection criteria. Its design exercises, readings, and discussion press beyond marginal substitutions toward a broadened sense of possibility from, for example, “hypercars” and human-powered homes to small-scale local agriculture and extreme ecological living systems. Prerequisite: PDI I or PDI II or permission of instructor. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| IHSS-2960 Topics in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Science Studies 4 credit hours |
| IHSS-4800 Experiential Learning Project This is an individually tailored reading course in which the student does readings and also completes an internship-type field project for the minor in cross-cultural studies of science and technology. The goal is to provide students with immersion in a multicultural milieu involving science and technology issues. Projects include student exchange programs, co-op placement, public service internships, community service, and other individually tailored projects subject to adviser approval. Students are expected to write up a description of their field project that integrates their field experience with the readings. Prerequisite: completion of other course requirements for the minor. Offered on demand. 3 credit hours |
| IHSS-4960 Topics in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Science Studies 3 credit hours |
| IHSS-6960 Topics in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Science Studies 3 credit hours |
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 110 8th St., Troy, NY 12180. (518) 276-6000 Please direct questions regarding this site to catalog@rpi.edu. |