Discussion on Plato's Republic and some other works Please read up to (at least) section 383c before the first class. Focus on the main ideas/arguments, and write down all questions/thoughts. http://perseus.uchicago.edu/perseus-cgi/citequery3.pl?dbname=GreekFeb2011&query=Pl.%20Resp.&getid=1 You can also get a paper copy: http://www.worldcat.org/title/republic-of-plato/oclc/945232269

Discussion on Aristotle's Politics and some other works. Please read up to (at least) section 1288b before class: http://perseus.uchicago.edu/perseus-cgi/citequery3.pl?dbname=GreekFeb2011&query=Arist.%20Pol.&getid=1 You can also get/borrow a paper copy: http://www.worldcat.org/title/aristotles-politics/oclc/932784217

Seminar on Plato's Republic and some other dialogues. Please read up to (at least) section 383c before the first class: http://perseus.uchicago.edu/perseus-cgi/citequery3.pl?dbname=GreekFeb2011&query=Pl.%20Resp.&getid=1 You can also get a paper copy: http://www.worldcat.org/title/republic-of-plato/oclc/945232269

What is a philosopher? How do Athenians like philosophers? We read Aristophanes' Clouds and hope to find clues.

What do we love? What is nature of love? What is a philosopher? How do Athenians like philosophers? We read Plato's Symposium and Aristophanes' Clouds and hope to find clues.

Algebraic Topology is concerned with algebraic invariants of spaces under continuous deformations. Topics from singular homology, basic category theory, CW complexes, basic homological algebra, cohomology, etc. Content and duration will be tailored to students' background and interests.

What is a friend? Why are friends friends? What are you curious about? What do you think is the answer? How do we find answers? Smartphones can carry thousands of ebooks; would we rather pick up a book or a smartphone? To answer these questions, we read chapters of Plato's $$\textit{Lysis}$$, $$\textit{Republic}$$ etc. and hope to find clues.

What is a friend? Why are friends friends? What are you curious about? What do you think is the answer? How do we find answers? To answer these questions, we read chapters of Plato's $$\textit{Lysis}$$, $$\textit{Republic}$$, Tolstoy's $$\textit{War and Peace}$$, etc. and hope to find clues.

Our intuition is comfortable with integers, rational numbers, and their arithmetic. In the rational number system, a square with side length 1 has area 1, one with side length $$\frac{3}{2} $$ has area $$\frac{9}{4} $$; it seems almost certain to our intuition that we may adjust the side length "smoothly" between 1 and $$\frac{3}{2} $$ to obtain a square of arbitrary area between 1 and $$\frac{9}{4} $$. But we seem to run into trouble finding the square with area 2. How do we keep our faith in our intuition? In Real Analysis we define a number system in which we can adjust things "smoothly" and more powerful tools such as differentiation and integration. Topics will reflect student interest. Readings and exercises will be crucial.

Machine learning studies and designs programs that learn from experiences to improve performance, just like us, hopefully. We will discuss some classic methods, its applications, potential, limitations, and some ethical concerns. No programming experience necessary.

What is a friend? Why are friends friends? How to be a friend? To answer these questions, we gaze at classics and history really hard and beg for clues.