Splash Biography



KEVIN HWANG, ESP Teacher




Major: EP&E; MCDB

College/Employer: Yale

Year of Graduation: 2017

Picture of Kevin Hwang

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Yale sophomore studying Ethics, Politics, and Economics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

X2600: The Psychology of Power: Human Nature and the Subconscious in Splash Spring 17 (Apr. 08, 2017)
At the center of this course’s premise is the critical recognition of how human nature shapes the ways we obtain power and wield it. The seminar will first examine some key experiments in psychology such as the Milgram Experiment (exploring mechanisms of authority and obedience), Stanford Prison Experiment (exploring power and its abuse), and the Little Albert Experiment (exploring subconscious patterning and conditioning), describe the fundamental patterns of human psychology that they reveal, and then discuss how these patterns are exploited or subconsciously utilized in various historical cases of power consolidation. Case studies include Nazi Germany, media wars in contemporary United States politics, and nationalist movements. Students will leave understanding the basic patterns of human nature, and understanding how these patterns directly cross over into political behavior. They will also feel comfortable describing how to analyze a psychological power case study such as that of Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia with the guidelines and considerations laid out in class discussion.


E2435: The Psychology of Power: Human Nature and the Subconscious in Sprout Spring 17 (Feb. 11 - 25, 2017)
At the center of this course’s premise is the critical recognition of how human nature shapes the ways we obtain power and wield it. The seminar will first examine some key experiments in psychology such as the Milgram Experiment (exploring mechanisms of authority and obedience), Stanford Prison Experiment (exploring power and its abuse), and the Little Albert Experiment (exploring subconscious patterning and conditioning), describe the fundamental patterns of human psychology that they reveal, and then discuss how these patterns are exploited or subconsciously utilized in various historical cases of power consolidation. Case studies include Nazi Germany, media wars in contemporary United States politics, and nationalist movements. Students will leave understanding the basic patterns of human nature, and understanding how these patterns directly cross over into political behavior. They will also feel comfortable describing how to analyze a psychological power case study such as that of Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia with the guidelines and considerations laid out in class discussion.


E2098: The Psychology of Power: Human Nature and the Subconscious in Sprout Fall 16 (Oct. 01 - 15, 2016)
At the center of this course’s premise is the critical recognition of how human nature shapes the ways we obtain power and wield it. The seminar will first examine some key experiments in psychology such as the Milgram Experiment (exploring mechanisms of authority and obedience), Stanford Prison Experiment (exploring power and its abuse), and the Little Albert Experiment (exploring subconscious patterning and conditioning), describe the fundamental patterns of human psychology that they reveal, and then discuss how these patterns are exploited or subconsciously utilized in various historical cases of power consolidation. Case studies include Nazi Germany, media wars in contemporary United States politics, and nationalist movements. Students will leave understanding the basic patterns of human nature, and understanding how these patterns directly cross over into political behavior. They will also feel comfortable describing how to analyze a psychological power case study such as that of Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia with the guidelines and considerations laid out in class discussion.


E1853: 3D-Printing the Kidney: Tissue Engineering of the 21st Century in Sprout Spring 16 (Feb. 13 - 27, 2016)
In 2011, surgeon Anthony Atala 3D-printed a rough prototype of a human kidney on-stage before a TEDx talk audience, and immediately brought forth a wave of renewed focus on 3D-printed body parts and their applications in medicine. This course will introduce the concept of tissue engineering, and the differential expression of the genetic code in forming disparate tissues. The wide variety of cell types will be addressed, as well as the associated engineering challenge of creating proper mimics of such great physiological diversity. Historical forms of tissue replacement and their strengths/flaws will be discussed, ranging from early wooden prosthetics to modern prosthetics. Surgical replacement or addition of tissues and the challenges associated with them will be presented, followed by the aspects of the tissue engineering that can address these issues. Techniques such as matrix modeling, materials engineering, and ex vivo growth and implantation will be introduced. Finally, case studies on 3D printed kidneys and artificial lungs developed at Yale will be analyzed, as well as institutional methods and debates in promoting tissue engineering research. Students will walk away with an understanding of what issues fall under the domain of tissue engineering, and some of the more technical issues that tissue engineers or biomedical engineering has to deal with. Students will also be able to understand some of the policy considerations, such as implications of particular technologies like replacement limbs vs. regrown limbs on company profits, and how that plays out in the political system and lobbying system of the United States.


E1768: 3D Printing the Kidney: Introduction to Tissue Engineering in Splash Fall 15 (Nov. 14, 2015)
In 2011, surgeon Anthony Atala 3D-printed a rough prototype of a human kidney on-stage before a TEDx talk audience, and immediately brought forth a wave of renewed focus on 3D-printed body parts and their applications in medicine. This course will introduce the concept of tissue engineering, and the differential expression of the genetic code in forming disparate tissues. The wide variety of cell types will be addressed, as well as the associated engineering challenge of creating proper mimics of such great physiological diversity. Historical forms of tissue replacement and their strengths/flaws will be discussed, ranging from early wooden prosthetics to modern prosthetics. Surgical replacement or addition of tissues and the challenges associated with them will be presented, followed by the aspects of the tissue engineering that can address these issues. Techniques such as matrix modeling, materials engineering, and ex vivo growth and implantation will be introduced. Finally, case studies on 3D printed kidneys and artificial lungs developed at Yale will be analyzed, as well as institutional methods and debates in promoting tissue engineering research.


E1671: 3D Printing the Kidney: Introduction to Tissue Engineering with Technical, Social, and Policy Dimensions in Sprout Fall 15 (Oct. 03 - 17, 2015)
In 2011, surgeon Anthony Atala 3D-printed a rough prototype of a human kidney on-stage before a TEDx talk audience, and immediately brought forth a wave of renewed focus on 3D-printed body parts and their applications in medicine.  This course will introduce the concept of tissue engineering, and the differential expression of the genetic code in forming disparate tissues.  The wide variety of cell types will be addressed, as well as the associated engineering challenge of creating proper mimics of such great physiological diversity.  Historical forms of tissue replacement and their strengths/flaws will be discussed, ranging from early wooden prosthetics to modern prosthetics.  Surgical replacement or addition of tissues and the challenges associated with them will be presented, followed by the aspects of the tissue engineering that can address these issues.  Techniques such as matrix modeling, materials engineering, and ex vivo growth and implantation will be introduced.  Finally, case studies on 3D printed kidneys and artificial lungs developed at Yale will be analyzed, as well as institutional methods and debates in promoting tissue engineering research.


H1495: Introduction to Political Philosophy in Splash Spring 15 (Apr. 04, 2015)
A comprehensive survey of important political philosophers of modern Western thought, spanning the Enlightenment, the Anti-Enlightenment, the New Left, the Marxists, and others. Includes discussions of philosophers such as Locke, Hobbes, Marx, Rawls, Nozick, Arendt, Bentham, and Mill. For students who wish to gain a general overview of modern political thought, and who wish to explore political philosophy.


C1424: Jargon to Journalism: Yale Scientific Magazine Explores Topics in Science Writing and Reporting in Sprout Spring 15 (Feb. 14 - 28, 2015)
Hosted by the Yale Scientific Magazine (YSM), the nation’s oldest college science publication, and Synapse (YSM’s Outreach Division), Jargon to Journalism offers students the chance to explore in depth the field of scientific journalism through classes with current Yale Scientific Magazine writers, editors, and staffers. Each class will build upon students’ ability to conduct science reporting and writing, as well as providing perspectives and lessons in a wide variety of topics related to science journalism, including landmark experiments in the media, historical impact of science journalism, how to conduct interviews, and media issues approaches and representation of genetic engineering, aerospace, entrepreneurism, and cutting-edge physics, among other topics. Teachers will also speak about their experiences getting involved with and writing for the Yale Scientific Magazine, and how they continue to explore their interests in the field through involvement as varying as classes to interning at the Smithsonian itself. Current teachers include Lionel Jin, Payal Marathe, Julia Rothchild, and Rebecca Su.


H1266: Introduction to Political Philosophy in Splash Fall 14 (Nov. 08, 2014)
A comprehensive survey of important political philosophers of modern Western thought, spanning the Enlightenment, the Anti-Enlightenment, the New Left, the Marxists, and others. Includes discussions of philosophers such as Locke, Hobbes, Marx, Rawls, Nozick, Arendt, Bentham, and Mill. For students who wish to gain a general overview of modern political thought, and who wish to explore political philosophy.


E1218: Introduction to Political Philosophy in Sprout Fall 2014 (Oct. 04 - 18, 2014)
A comprehensive survey of important political philosophers of modern Western thought, spanning the Enlightenment, the Anti-Enlightenment, the New Left, the Marxists, and others. Includes discussions of philosophers such as Locke, Hobbes, Marx, Rawls, Nozick, Arendt, Bentham, and Mill. For students who wish to gain a general overview of modern political thought, and who wish to explore political philosophy.


H1032: Introduction to Political Philosophy in Splash Spring 14 (Mar. 29, 2014)
A comprehensive survey of important political philosophers of modern Western thought, spanning the Enlightenment, the Anti-Enlightenment, the New Left, the Marxists, and others. Includes discussions of philosophers such as Locke, Hobbes, Marx, Rawls, Nozick, Arendt, Bentham, and Mill. For students who wish to gain a general overview of modern political thought, and who wish to explore political philosophy.


S1035: Introduction to Organic Chemistry in Splash Spring 14 (Mar. 29, 2014)
An introductory survey of general organic chemistry and the most common starting topics addressed in college-level organic chemistry courses. Topics may include compound-naming, constitutional and geometric isomers, basic reaction mechanisms, reaction tendencies, acidity in organic molecules, among others. Intended for students who want a taste of what college-level organic chemistry is like.


M1036: Introduction to Linear Algebra in Splash Spring 14 (Mar. 29, 2014)
A survey course on basic linear algebra theory, techniques, methods, and applications. Topics will include three-dimensional vector expression, operations of matrices, Gaussian elimination, and least squares method of data approximation, among others. For students interested in what linear algebra comprises.


S887: Introduction to Political Philosophy in Sprout Spring 14 (Feb. 15 - Mar. 01, 2014)
A comprehensive survey of important political philosophers of modern Western thought, spanning the Enlightenment, the Anti-Enlightenment, the New Left, the Marxists, and others. Includes discussions of philosophers such as Locke, Hobbes, Marx, Rawls, Nozick, Arendt, Bentham, and Mill. For students who wish to gain a general overview of modern political thought, and who wish to explore political philosophy.