Course Introduction 12.000 Solving Complex Problems, Fall 2003
HODGES: The basic goal of 12.000 is to provide freshman at MIT with an opportunity to put together concepts and ideas that they get in a more formal way, in particular in the science core at MIT in their first year and put those in turn together with social issues, fundamental social issues in the context of big environmental problems. The subject changes from year to year in terms of its theme. We tend to focus on different areas at different times. But, on the other hand, the overarching goal is to have them think about how you approach really complicated problems that require multiple perspectives and don't necessary have any simple solutions. I mean most of the problems that they tend to deal with, in the other subjects that they take in the freshman year, have straightforward known solutions. So it's like taking a problem set, working on it and solving those problems in particular. But most of the problems that really keep you awake at night are not those kin...