FALL 2007 HONORS COURSES

HONR 229P Mathematics and Art
Monday/Wednesday 10-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Niranj Ramachandran, Department of Mathematics

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the interactions and interrelations between mathematics and art. Mathematicians (and scientists, in general) are in search of ideas, truth, and beauty--not too different from artists. Our task will be to see the parallels between the viewpoints, the inspirations, the goals of (and the works produced by) artists and scientists.

We shall begin with examples from the history of art (such as the theory of perspective and Leonardo da Vinci), works of art (such as Durer’s Melancholia, Escher), and architecture (Le Corbusier) to illustrate the impact of mathematics on art. Of special interest to us will be the period of the Italian Renaissance and also the early part of the 20th century (the new viewpoint on space-time). The affinity of music with mathematics will also be explored (as in the music of Bach, the foundations of tone, the role of harmony). We shall then talk about beauty in mathematics; this will be amply illustrated with examples from the history of mathematics. Emphasis will be on the aesthetic aspect of things. We will even see how truth and beauty come together in a beautiful proof.

All through the semester, we will be comparing and contrasting the two subjects. Hopefully, by the end, one’s sense of beauty will be enriched also to appreciate beauty in the world of mathematics. In-class and out-of-class discussions are greatly encouraged. Each student will do an in-class presentation and hand in a term paper. Grading will be based on the presentation and term paper.

Books: (There will also be other material handed out in class.)
Douglas Hofstadter, Godel, Escher, and Bach
Keith Devlin, Mathematics: The Science of Patterns
Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Jerry King’s The Art of Mathematics
Walter Pater, The Renaissance
(It is not necessary to buy any of these; I will try to put them on reserve for the course).

CORE: Math/Reasoning (MS)