Professor: Lindsay Hinkle
4 credits
In this course, we will take an in-depth look at the Flint Water Crisis by exploring the decisions and chemistry that ultimately led to this tragedy. The scientific literature will be our guide as we look for solutions and analyze proposed remediation methods. We will aim to determine what steps we can take to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. As a term long project, students will work in pairs to research a water-based problem of their choosing. Students will apply the problem solving and data analysis methods used in our discussions of Flint to propose an appropriate solution for the water-based problem they chose. By the end of the course students will gain an appreciation for the chemistry of everyday life, the methods scientists use to build knowledge, and problems with multiple solutions. This course uses a contract-based grading system. Students who take this course should be ready to honestly reflect on their understanding, growth, and developing skills in order to advocate for themselves as appropriate.
Graduation Requirement: This class will fulfill a Natural Science Colloquium and the US: Difference, Inequality, Agency (US) cultural literacy requirement. If you have already taken a Natural Science Colloquium, this class will fulfill both of the following requirements: an Elective Colloquium and the US: Difference, Inequality, Agency (US) cultural literacy requirement.