New Course

I am writing to let you know about an exciting course being offered this Spring called "Science Court: Strengthening Democracy through Rational Discourse" (HSEM 3511H).  This course aims to combat the polarization and gridlock that is gripping our society.  The students taking the course will select a controversial social or political topic, study it to determine facts based on sound scientific research, and then argue it within a mock trial format in front of a jury of citizens recruited from the public.  All aspects of the trial, from preparations to verdict, will be widely reported through a compelling podcast (developed by the students) and documented on social media and on a website to educate the public and to create a record of this unique one-of-a-kind class.

Science Court is taught through the University Honors Program, but it is open to a limited number of non-Honors students.  We're looking for good students interested in being involved in a practical effort to make a change.  We want students from all backgrounds and majors to ensure a heterogeneous mix of views.  The course will be taught remotely and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-5:15 PM. For more about the course (including a short talk describing the project) see:

https://scicourt.umn.edu/science-court-hsem-3511h

To apply for a spot, fill in this form:

https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_byzlKSE7CbkrJOt

If you have any questions, contact Prof. Ellad Tadmor <[email protected]>.  Places are very limited for non-Honors students, so act soon!

(If you are an Honors Student, you do not need to fill in the form. You can just sign up for HSEM 3511H.)

Sincerely,

Ellad Tadmor

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 Ellad B. Tadmor, Professor

 Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
 University of Minnesota
 107 Akerman Hall, 110 Union St SE
 Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA

 tel:  612-625-6642
 fax:  612-626-1558
 web:  https://dept.aem.umn.edu/~tadmor
       http://modelingmaterials.org (book website)
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stephs