JUM 204HF / MEJ 204HF Mathematics and Poetry Sept. 10, 2008 http://www.math.toronto.edu/mccann/204.html Prof. Robert J McCann www.math.toronto.edu/mccann BA 6124 (416) 978-4658 and Malcolm Woodland mal.woodland@utoronto.ca JHB 619 (416) 946-3456 TA: Brendan Pass bpass@math.utoronto.ca (416) 946-4008 Lectures: Wednesday 18h10 - 21h00 UC 163 Office Hours - McCann Friday 15h10 - 15h55 BA 6124 Q & A Sessions - Pass Sept 15 17h45 - 18h30 UC 87 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Co-sponsored by the English and Mathematics departments and University college, this dual-listed course is an interdisciplinary exploration into the creative process and use of imagination as they arise in the study of mathematics and poetry. It is intended to occupy a unique place in the curriculum, partly through its unusual juxtaposition of subjects, but mainly through its emphasis on process rather than content. The goal of the course is to guide each participant towards the `Aha!' experience which accompanies independent discovery --- be it of a new insight into a math problem or an overlooked aspect of a poem. The mathematics will focus on creative, discussion-oriented problem solving at a pre-calculus level, with an emphasis on reasoning rather than technique. The poetry component will also be discussion-oriented, and centered on the close analysis of one or more poems in class each week. No overt attempts will be made to connect the mathematics to the poetry. Rather, the problems and poems will be selected independently according to the principal criterion of artistic merit. None the less, we expect striking similarities to emerge between the two subjects: Both are expressed in densely coded languages that seem to defy penetration, yet the processes of analysis and synthesis, the use of technical and intuitive faculties, and the craftsmanship and sensitivity to detail required to unlock both of the codes are the same. Although no particular background is assumed in either subject, substantial independent thinking will be required. The mathematics problems will be based largely on a set of notes called "In process" by Peter D Taylor (Queen's University), excerpts of which will be posted as covered at http://www.math.toronto.edu/mccann/204.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Math Grading Scheme: Attendance and participation 5 % Weekly Assignments 30 % Faculty Scheduled Exam (outlined in advance) 15 % ---- 50 % ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homework due Sept. 17, 2008: Any 2 of the 3 "Cutting space with planes" problems on the handout posted at http://www.math.toronto.edu/mccann/204.html Please be sure to justify your answers as completely as possible with logical reasoning, and write up your solutions as cleanly and neatly as you can. Late assignments will be graded only at the pleasure of the TA; if graded they will be penalized 5% per day late, except in case of written medical justification. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Expected Exceptions: No office hours the week of Oct 31.