WRITING SEMINAR IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

FROM SCROLL TO SCREEN: HISTORY AND THEORY OF WRITING

WRIT 027 301

MW 2:00pm-3:30pm  *

EDUCATION BUILDING 114 *

Writing isn't only a means of self-expression; it's also one of our oldest and most important technologies, evolving and changing over time. This class looks at the history of writing, from ancient hieroglyphs, alphabets, and pictograms to modern advertisements, movies, and telephone screens. We will look at different forms of writing as means of communication, storage, art, and as a part of everyday experience. We'll also look at the philosophy of writing, the relationship between writing and speech, and how our writing tools affect the way we think. Writing about writing offers you the unique opportunity to learn how to write through discovering what writing is, has been, and could become.

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WRITING SEMINAR IN MATHEMATICS

THE LANGUAGE OF THE UNIVERSE: WRITING AND MATHEMATICS

WRIT 065 301

MWF 10:00am-11:00am *

BENNETT HALL 25 *

WRIT 065 302

MWF 1:00pm-2:00pm *

KELLY WRITERS HOUSE 202 *

For Galileo, the universe is written in the language of mathematics; for Descartes, the methods used in algebra and geometry teach us how to reason about anything, from philosophy to politics. Arguably, mathematics is fundamentally about writing--a set of rules that tell us what we are allowed to write and in what order. This seminar explores how mathematics' emphasis on careful analysis, methodical argument, and logical proof can teach us to write in both scientific and nonscientific contexts. It will also examine the cultural and literary backgrounds of mathematical discoveries--the amazing, often funny stories behind the theorems scientists and engineers use every day. Our readings will come from philosophy and the history of science as well as Douglas Hofstadter's wonderful book Gödel, Escher, and Bach.

*Schedule and Room Assignments Subject to Change