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This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Social Context

  • Contracts and Procurement

    Problem set on forecasting from the course D-Lab: Supply Chains.

    Read more: Contracts and Procurement

  • Inventory Models

    Problem set on forecasting from the course D-Lab: Supply Chains.

    Read more: Inventory Models

  • Process Analysis

    Problem set on forecasting from the course D-Lab: Supply Chains.

    Read more: Process Analysis

  • Forecasting

    Problem set on forecasting from the course D-Lab: Supply Chains.

    Read more: Forecasting

  • Assignment 3: Exploration and Environment

    In planning your paper, you will have to make a number of decisions, some of which you’ve already done. You’ve already chosen the subject upon which you will base your essay (if you’re not happy with this choice, you may still change your mind, but it will mean repeating many of the steps you’ve already taken): now it’s time to focus in on some aspect of your topic and how it relates to the environment. How did nonhuman environments shape or impact the expedition or explorer you focus on? How did a particular moment in exploration change the way people understand the natural world, or the way we live in it?

    Read more: Assignment 3: Exploration and Environment

  • Assignment 2: Bibliographic Essay and Annotated Bibliography

    For this assignment, you will choose a subject within the broad heading of exploration and environment, and write a bibliographic essay about it. What you write about for this assignment will also be the subject of your third assignment—a ten-page research paper—so you will want to chose your topic carefully. It should be broad enough to allow you to analyze political, cultural, economic and ecological factors, but narrow enough to allow you to construct a convincing and well-reasoned argument.

    Read more: Assignment 2: Bibliographic Essay and Annotated Bibliography

  • Assignment 1

    Select one of the readings from Mancall and explain the environmental assumptions implicit in its author’s response to the New World and his understanding of the possibilities it presents. These possibilities should include agriculture and natural resources, but may also extend to mercantile, military, and cultural issues. In addition, you should compare these early responses to the New World to a modern interpretation, either the one offered by William Cronon, or that of Judith Carney or J. R. McNeill (or a combination of the three, if you are feeling ambitious). In either case, don’t just offer abstract generalizations—be sure to refer specifically to the texts.

    Read more: Assignment 1

  • Paper Three

    For this paper, you may choose your own topic, so long as it is about the cultural, political, religious, and / or economic dimensions of biological science—in short, so long as it is about matters we have discussed in class. 

    Read more: Paper Three

  • Final Exam

    Please answer question 1; and then either question 2 or question 3. This is the same type of format and approach as the mid-term.

    Suggested length: No fewer than 5 pages and no more than 7 pages for each question, double spaced, not triple spaced with wide margins. (Of course if you can do an excellent essay in less than 5 pages, by all means proceed).

    • Each answer is in essence an 'essay' on the topics you have selected. You must draw on the assigned readings.
    • Do not use the same readings as you did in the mid-term, or focus on the same topic.
    • Since you need to demonstrate familiarity with the assigned readings relevant to each question, feel free to draw from materials across the 13 weeks – as needed.
    • Do not use the same assigned readings for both questions. If you find it necessary to draw on the same assignments, use additional references to make up for the 'double duty factor.'
    • Try to use at least 4 different sources in your answer to each question.
    • For general points, please note that you need the author's name; for specific points noted, you need the author plus the relevant page. Please add your reference list at the end of each question.
    Read more: Final Exam

  • Midterm Exam

    The purpose of this mid-term is for you to:

    • Show your grasp of the challenges in this course
    • Demonstrate your understanding of the reading assignments and relationship to the seminar discussions
    • Show understanding of sustainability issues at this point, and on this basis
    • Obtain some feedback from the instructor as relevant
    • It would be useful to outline your answers before actually writing. Since you will demonstrate familiarity with the assigned readings, please feel free to draw from materials across various weeks – as needed.
    Read more: Midterm Exam

Notice something that doesn’t seem right? Want to make a suggestion or provide feedback about how something is classified? 
Please reach out to esi [at] mit.edu and include SCALES Website in the subject of your email.
Feedback and any actions taken with regards to the feedback, will be shared as they are addressed.