Professor: Lindsay Hinkle

4.00 credits

• CRN 32276: Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00-1:50 PM @ CHA 301

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 independently 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 their chosen water-based problem.  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 skill development in order to advocate for themselves as appropriate.

Note:  A former version of this class was formerly titled “Water: A Deep Dive.” There is significant overlap in content with the previous version and students who have already taken Water: A Deep Dive should not register for this course.

Graduation Requirement: This class will fulfill a Natural Science Colloquium and the US: Difference, Inequality, Agency (US) cultural literacy requirement. If the student has 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.