CI-159 Building a Better T
If any set of problems could use creative and innovative thinking, it's the myriad of problems facing the T. The Boston Globe is filled with stories about financial and organizational problems in the system, and you only have to spend a few minutes on the green line to feel the effects of those issues. Still, millions depend on it every day - it is the circulatory system of our city, and it is more than a way to get around: the T increases accessibility and functions as a democratizing force. That is, when it's running. In this class we will study the MBTA and other mass transit systems in order to propose creative solutions to the T's most pressing problems. We will read articles about the T and other transit systems, we will look at interactive maps that express different kinds of data, and we will visit local stations. In addition, we will study the process of creative thinking, in order to apply those skills to the issues at hand. You will be asked to create both stand-alone short writing assignments and visual representations of your ideas, accompanied by short, written explanations, both alone and in group projects.
Prerequisite
Restricted to students with less than 54 credits. Students with more than 54 credits needing to fulfill their CI requirement should seek approval from the Undergraduate Advising Office.