At this point in the semester, our ethics seminar steps back and takes stock of the richness of information and discussion that has taken place over the semester. This spring, we’ve covered topics that include the role of the media in how politics play out, how to become responsible information and news consumers, the power of anger in creating social change and nuclear proliferation and the US military budget.  Underlying all of these conversations is the exploration of how and why ethical and moral frameworks matter. Substance and depth: this is why it always seems like a good idea for us to dedicate an evening to re-group for questioning and re-examining before our last few classes.

In addition to having the opportunity to meet and learn from our guests, students are also required to attend three events—either on campus or off—that have an ethical component (as most everything does) and write a reflection paper. Our students have written wonderfully thoughtful and probing essays; events covered have included The Vagina Monologues, a Re-Use, Recycle festival, the films Hidden Figures and Get Out, a lunch discussion on how to think about nuclear weapons, and the politics of pain. Each week, the students are sent a list of suggested events to attend.  We cull the MIT Events page and take note of the myriad programs that are advertised via posters in the halls of the Institute. 

It’s always astonishing to note how many amazing lectures, panel discussions, film series, plays and more are offered on campus. We thought that this week we’d share a partial list of what is happening here at MIT during the month of April. We hope to see you at some of these events!

~~~Month of April: Sexual Assault Awareness Month; http://mindhandheart.mit.edu/news/april-sexual-assault-awareness-month-saam

~~~Brexit, Europe and Trump; John Whitaker “Jack” Straw, former Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary, UK; April 6 at 4: 30pm in E51-345

~~~Radius Goes to the Theater: Paradise; radius.mit.edu for free  tickets

~~~MIT Day of Action: April 18 from 9am-8pm; https://www.dayofaction.mit.edu

~~~Numbers in the News; April 18, 6.30 – 7.30pm; The Broad Institute, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, Boston; https: //www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/numbers-in-the-news-registration-32851735425?aff=es2 `

~~~Technology and the Assault on Solitude; Professor Sherry Turkle; Wednesday, April 19; 12noon; 66-144; radius.mit.edu

~~~Anti-Gender Activism in Belgium: The Story of an Unsuccessful Movement; Wednesday, April 19 at 5pm in 14E-304

~~~Screening of the film “November Actions”, documentary the large-scale protests at MIT in November 1969
Wednesday, April 19 at 5: 30 at the MIT Museum

~~~Art as Conflict Resolution; April 24 at 6pm; E15 Bartos; http: //events.mit.edu/event.html?id=16502081&date=2017/04/24