STS.050 | Spring 2016 | Undergraduate

The History of MIT

Course Description

To study MIT is to study the modern world. In 2016, MIT celebrated the 100{{< sup "th" >}} anniversary of the move from Boston to Cambridge; therefore, this course examines the history of the Institute through the lens of the history of science and technology, and vice-versa. It is about discovery, exploration, …

To study MIT is to study the modern world. In 2016, MIT celebrated the 100th anniversary of the move from Boston to Cambridge; therefore, this course examines the history of the Institute through the lens of the history of science and technology, and vice-versa. It is about discovery, exploration, adventure, learning, creative thinking, and the synthesis of big ideas. Additionally, this course is about the importance of the research university, what it has been in the past and what it will be in the future. The course includes guest lecturers and field trips to the Institute Archives and the MIT Museum.

The most important prerequisite for this class is curiosity, a desire to think deeply about MIT, and a willingness to communicate your thoughts and ideas. The ultimate aim is to fascinate you as much as to help you improve your skills synthesizing information from diverse sources about science, technology, and culture.

Learning Resource Types
Written Assignments
Activity Assignments
An illustration of the main building of MIT as seen from the Charles River.
An illustrated postcard by Mason Bros. & Co., featuring MIT from the banks of the Charles River. This postcard is part of the MIT Museum collections. (Courtesy of the MIT Museum. This image is in the public domain.)