COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Symmetry, or near symmetry, abounds in the world around us. You can see it in natural objects such as butterflies and bee hives, animals including the human body, fruits and nuts, flowers, snowflakes, waves, or geological formations. You can see it in artistic productions such as paintings, sculpture, poems, novels, or musical compositions. You can see it in cultural artifacts such as textiles and carpets, decorative patterns, corporate logos, technological inventions, architecture, tilings, or agriculture. And you can see it in scientific or philosophical theories about molecules, crystals, genes, primitive organisms, astronomy, gravitation, electricity, or the human psyche. While these topics are often studied separately, they can also be viewed from a common perspective that allows us to see our world as a more integrated whole.

The course will have five phases.

1. During the first week, we will look at the world around us, describing and analyzing what we see.
2. In the next week and a half, we will be doing a number of hands on activities to help you visualize various aspects of symmetry.
3. Then we will take an abstract look at symmetry considering, for example, questions about types of symmetry, relations between various symmetries, combinations of symmetries, harmony and proportion, fuzzy symmetries, or anti-symmetries. Though this will introduce a mathematical perspective, no special knowledge of mathematics beyond that required of any entering first year student will be assumed.
4. Then (roughly in weeks 7 -9) we will apply this abstract knowledge by looking at approaches to symmetries in various cultures, again depending on your interests and perspectives. (Islamic art, Yemeni textiles, Turkish carpets, Navaho blankets, Mayan architecture, Hindu sculpture, Japanese origami, African masks, or impressionist paintings, Renaissance music, or Pythagorean philosophy are all possibilities.)
5. Finally, in the last week of the course you will be completing your papers and giving reports to the class. You are expected to present your papers during our scheduled exam time.

WHY STUDY SYMMETRY?

• Symmetry is a both a simple concept that has an intuitive meaning for people in all cultures and a complex concept that is fundamental in science, mathematics, literature, music, and art.
• Symmetry is a unifying concept that provides a perspective that enables us to see the world as an integrated whole and unites seemingly separate inquiries.
• Symmetry and geometric visualization are increasingly important topics in many fields of study.
• The study of symmetry can help us to develop creativity, imagination and other useful, lifelong intellectual habits.
• The concept of symmetry has numerous practical, aesthetic, and scientific applications.

LIBERAL STUDIES GOALS:

Critical and creative thinking -- The course requires you to understand some formal and abstract concepts and then to apply these concepts to some field of study that interests you. It will also ask you to use your imaginations to create and analyze a production of your own particular choosing.
Reflectiveness -- The course treats the concepts surrounding symmetry as fundamental principles of inquiry and asks you  to analyze your own and others' productions in the light of these principles.
Multicultural perspective -- We will give some specific attention to cultural definitions of symmetry. Then you will be asked to write a paper describing how cultural beliefs and values influence the approach to symmetry in some culture other than your own.
Value consciousness -- The course specifically confronts you with your own values, not only about symmetry but also about learning.

1. (10%) Intelligent and informed class participation. This will include: assigned reading for most classes, discussion, drafts of written work, and activities for you to engage in during classes. Unexcused absences will reduce your grade.

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2. (15%) A portfolio of 6 to 10 photographs that you have taken to illustrate aspects of symmetry in the world around you. Use may use a digital or a disposable camera (or any other camera of your choice). The photograhs must be submitted in digital format as .jpeg files no later than the fourth class meeting (April 5). You also must submit a short paper (3-5 pages) to accompany your portfolio that explains what you did, why you did it, and what you might do differently another time. Papers that are not acceptable will be returned for revision. Some or all of your photographs may be displayed on the course web site.

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3. (15%) Homework for all classes during the third phase of the course and occasionally thereafter. Homework should be folded lengthwise with your name and date on the outside (as if it were on the front cover of a book).

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4. (15%) A midterm exam  given at the first class of the sixth week (May 3) covering the abstract concepts of symmetry developed in class and in the readings.

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5. (15%) A paper (4 - 7 pages, due on May 10) that responds to either a permanent or temporary exhibit in a Chicago area museum or gallery. (See a list of some museums on the course web site.) Although the paper should use some concepts of symmetry or asymmetry or balance and describe how these concepts enrich your understanding, you are invited to , go beyond these concepts to talk about other aspects of the exhibit. Hand in a ticket stub, program, or some other evidence that indicates you have actually visited the museum in person. Papers that are not acceptable will be returned for revision.

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6. (20%) A longer paper (5 -10 pages, due on May 31) on a topic of your choosing. Here are some options:
• A description of how, for some culture other than your own, cultural beliefs and values are related to approaches to symmetry and/or asymmetry.
• Your analysis of a construction (a poem, a model, a musical composition, a mandala, a mask, a performance, an art object, a computer program, an essay or some other object of your choosing) that embodies some symmetric or asymmetrical properties.
• A discussion of the symmetries and asymmetries that can be found in some location (the Loop, for example), type of natural object (e.g., flowers), type of made object (e.g., buildings), or piece of writing.
You must turn in a one page prospectus for this project on May 3 and a draft on or before May 17.

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7. (10%) A presentation (on June 5 or June 12) to the rest of the class either of your paper, a portion of your paper, or of a construction you have made. The presentation should include handouts and/or electronic notes; or, in the case of a construction, an explanation of what you have done and why you did it this way. You will be assigned a date for your presentation by lottery on May 31. Attendance both days is expected.

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A Excellent
B Very Good
C Satisfactory
D Poor
F Objectives not accomplished

You are not in competition with each other. Grades will not be fitted to the standard (symmetric) normal curve. So there could be a lot of A's (or B's or C's).

SPECIAL NEEDS:  Any student needing a special accomodation in this course due to a documented disability is asked to bring this to the attention of the instructor at the beginning of the quarter. I will be glad to see that your needs are appropriately addressed.

STUDENT REGULATIONS:  As a student you have a number of rights and responsibilities that that are carefully spelled out in the Student Handbook. These include specific policies about academic integrity, plagiarism, grading, and grade challenges. You are expected to set examples for each other, to assume responsibility for your own and others' academic and personal development, and to refrain from any violations of academic integrity. Violations of academic integrity include but are not limited to the following categories: cheating; plagiarism; fabrication; falsification or sabotage of research data; destruction or misuse of the university's academic resources; alteration or falsification of academic records; and academic misconduct. Violations could result in additional disciplinary actions by other university officials and possible civil or criminal prosecution. If you have any doubts about these policies, you should review the University's complete Academic Integrity Policy.