Which risks are "worth it?" Can we live without risk? These are always vital questions, but they have become even more salient in the covid era. This course will NOT ask you to take new risks—but it will require you to analyze risks that you are already taking, possibly without due consideration. Through regular physical activity (we’ll focus on running, hiking and biking, but it will be partially dependent on what is available to whom) and classroom discussion, we will tackle the concept of physical risk. We'll learn to calculate the risk of a variety of activities and compare what we find to how we perceive those risks; we'll also learn to assess risk even when few data are available. We'll learn to distinguish between subjective and objective hazards, and we'll consider what benefits might stem from seeking physical risk. As we train our bodies, we will also discuss the risks of inactivity. Ultimately, we will strive to become more thoughtful in our approach to risk: able to mitigate it when possible and seek it when appropriate.

Units: 2

Max Enrollment: 15

Typical Periods Offered: Fall and Spring

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall; Not Offered; Spring