Academics

Smart Moves

Honors seminar teaches critical thinking

Chris Mank, marine transportation operations major, often opens a game of chess with the classic King’s Indian defense: 1) d4 Nf6, 2) c4 g6.

“Tactically, it provides a very flexible position and is very aggressive at times,” he says.

“It relates to real life as does the strategy of a well-made corporation: you build a very good defense at the beginning, then go on the offensive, taking risks to gain advantage.”

Exploring what the game of chess reveals about human nature is the heart of this year’s honors seminar “Chess as Metaphor” taught by Thomas Batt, Arts and Sciences Department Chair; Paul Wlodkowski, Professor of Engineering; and Amy Gutow, Assistant Registrar.

At its most fundamental level, chess is a purely logical function of its parameters: 64 squares, 32 pieces and a set of rules. Yet, when people face each other across the board, logic is only one element in the mix. Memory, imagination and intuition all play a role, along with our ability to handle adversity, read our opponent and solve problems. The many aspects of chess serve as excellent metaphors applicable to everyday life.

Students are nominated by faculty for the seminar from across all departments. Three seminars were held previously on the topics of Cape Wind (offshore wind farm), Communities and Conflict, and Moby Dick. The impetus was to bring together and engage some of MMA’s best and brightest students and allow faculty to collaborate across disciplinary lines in team teaching.

While the discussion-based class (limited to 18 students) draws from diverse subjects ranging from history and culture to spatial thinking and computer science, “it boils down to two words: critical thinking” says Batt.

Wlodkowski notes German philosopher, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who said, “Chess is the touchstone of the intellect.”█

Photo: Shutterstock

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