What do plants, fungi, babies, and generative A.I. models like Chat-GPT have in common? People argue that they have some form of intelligence, but what is intelligence and what does it mean to be intelligent? Over the semester you will learn about the intersection between intelligence research and white supremacy, as well as the surprising abilities of plants, fungi, and babies. By the end of the course, you will have developed a perspective on what intelligence can look like and be more aware of your own biases and assumptions when it comes to intelligence.

Addiction - to drugs, food, relationships, games, and more - impacts our lives in many ways. From cravings to social isolation to the costs of treatment, addiction is both affected by and affects much of our world. In this course, we will explore mysteries surrounding addiction. What "counts" as addiction? Why do some people become addicted while others do not? How do we measure addiction? Is addiction treatable? Together, we will dissect research articles, podcasts, and videos to engage with the numerous facets of addiction.

Addiction - to drugs, food, relationships, games, and more - impacts our lives in many ways. From cravings to social isolation to the costs of treatment, addiction is both affected by and affects much of our world. In this course, we will explore mysteries surrounding addiction. What "counts" as addiction? Why do some people become addicted while others do not? How do we measure addiction? Is addiction treatable? Together, we will dissect research articles, podcasts, and videos to engage with the numerous facets of addiction.

What does it mean to be mentally healthy? How do we cultivate best practices supported by science? These questions are harder to answer when we're surrounded by minefields of misinformation about mental health. In this course, we'll debunk myths and learn how to apply evidence-based skills to our own unique lives. Through engaging discussions, thought-provoking activities, and enlightening readings, you will gain a deeper understanding of the truths and fallacies that exist in the field.

Do you ever wonder about the stories teachers DON'T tell you when they discuss big-name scientists? Is it fair to characterize historic figures in science as just "good guys" and "bad guys"? This course offers a unique opportunity to challenge traditional narratives, foster critical thinking, and gain a nuanced understanding of the intersection between scientific greatness and ethically problematic viewpoints.

Do you ever wonder about the stories teachers DON'T tell you when they discuss big-name scientists? Is it fair to characterize historic figures in science as just "good guys" and "bad guys"? This course offers a unique opportunity to challenge traditional narratives, foster critical thinking, and gain a nuanced understanding of the intersection between scientific greatness and ethically problematic viewpoints.

Introduction to the field of computer science. Introduces students to Python programming including algorithms, basic data structures (lists, dictionaries), and programming techniques. Does not include object-oriented programming.