INTD/MATH 0100 A World of Mathematics (Fall)
How long will oil last? What is the fairest voting system? How can we harvest food and other resources sustainably? To explore such real-world questions we will study a variety of mathematical ideas and methods, including modeling, logical analysis, discrete dynamical systems, and elementary statistics. This is an alternative first mathematics course for students not pursuing the calculus sequence in their first semester. The only prerequisite is an interest in exploring contemporary issues using the mathematics that lies within those issues. (This course is not open to students who have had a prior course in calculus or statistics.) 3 hrs lect./Disc. (J. Albert)
INTD/ARBC 0111 The Unity and Diversity of Human Language (Not offered 2009-10)
In this course we will introduce the main issues in the study of linguistic diversity: how languages differ and how they are the same (language families, language contact, and language universals), diversity in geographical and social dialects, "language emergence" of pidgins and creoles, "language death" and endangered languages, linguistic history and language change, as well as the major theoretical approaches to the study of linguistic diversity. Linguistic data will be drawn from a wide variety of languages, and linguistic phenomena will relate primarily to aspects of word formation (morphology) and sentence structure (syntax). 3 hrs. lect/disc. SOC
INTD/ARBC 0112 Introduction to Linguistics (Fall)
This is an introductory course in linguistics taught in English. The main topics will include the nature of human language as distinct from other communication systems; the subsystems of linguistic knowledge, i.e., sound patterns (phonology), word-formation (morphology), sentence structure (syntax), and meaning (semantics); language and the brain; language acquisition; language use in context; geographical and social dialects; and historical development of language and language change. 3 hrs. lect./disc. (U. Soltan)
INTD/ITAL 0201 Introduction to Romance Linguistics (Spring)
This course welcomes students and speakers of French, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, and Spanish who are curious about linguistics and wish to undertake a comparative study of the Romance linguistic family as a whole. We shall survey the basic principles and methods of the linguistic science and immediately apply them to the rich and fascinating data drawn from the history of the Romance languages. Through alternating internal (structural) and external (socio-cultural) approaches to the study of languages, our goal is to construct a coherent vision of unity and diversity that at once characterize the native languages of more than 900 million speakers worldwide. No previous experience in linguistics is required but a good knowledge of at least one Romance language is obligatory. (Approval required; Two semesters of a Romance language study) 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC CMP EUR (A. Barashkov)
INTD 0206 Mathematics and Science as Art in Contemporary Theatre (Not offered 2009-10)
In Tom Stoppard’s Jumpers, philosopher George Moore employs a list of mathematical arguments to make his case for the existence of a moral God. George’s confused allusions to the paradoxes of Zeno and Bertrand Russell form an interesting backdrop to a host of moral questions that include an astronaut stranded on the moon, the installation of an atheist as Archbishop of Canterbury and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the dead body of George’s debating partner concealed in the next room. This is just one example of how acclaimed playwrights such as Tom Stoppard, Rinne Groff, Michael Frayn, and others have effectively explored mathematical and scientific themes for artistic purposes. Through readings and exercises, and by conducting labs and staging scenes, this class will gain some first-hand insight into the complementary ways in which science and art aim to seek out their respective truths. LIT DED
INTD 0250 Greek Drama in Performance (Not offered 2009-10)
In this interdisciplinary course we will study selected Greek tragedies and comedies with special attention to the dimension of performance. In addition to viewing the plays staged in their original setting, the theater of Dionysus in 5th century BCE Athens, we will also consider stagings of these tragic and comic dramas for modern audiences all over the world. The course will combine lecture, discussions, screenings, writing assingments, and performance work. Texts will include Aeschylus' Oresteia, Sophocles' Ajax, Euripides' Hecuba and Helen, and Aristophanes' Birds and Frogs. 3 hrs. lect., 1 hr. disc. LIT ART EUR
INTD 0260 Solar Decathlon 2011 - Design Development and Building Systems Integration (Spring)
The Solar Decathlon is a competition sponsored by the United States Department of Energy to design and construct a solar-powered house. Middlebury College has committed to fielding a team for the 2011 competition. The course will continue the efforts made in Winter Term to develop a schematic design and solar powering strategy for the SD House. Students will take the project through the design development phase, incorporating and integrating building systems strategies with architectural design elements. Students will explore both passive and active building systems strategies for the design and construction of a net-zero energy house. Students will research and learn about building envelope, daylighting, mechanical systems, rainwater capture, and more. The result of this course will be a set of developed drawings and models, explaining both qualitatively and quantitatively the building and its systems. At the culmination of this class, students will formally present the development of Middlebury's SD 2011 house to guest professionals, faculty, staff, and fellow students. (Approval required; At least one of the following: HARC 0130; HARC 0231; INTD 1098; INTD 1099) (A. Murray, Staff)