School
for
Poetic
Computation
In this workshop, participants will study both the history of math -- including some connections to computing, ecology, politics, religion, ethics, and literature -- and practices of learning/ using/ creating math. Topics certain for at least brief discussion with everyone include a whirlwind survey of mathematics in a few pre-colonial societies and in the contemporary field, varieties of infinity, math education, logic, cultural and linguistic specificity of mathematics, number theory, music theory, category theory, and programming language theory. Possible topics for discussion with everyone or in smaller groups according to participant interest include greater elaboration of the previously named topics, and other branches of mathematics or closely linked fields such as knots and functions; rings; geometry processing; aesthetic math; information theory; graph/network theory, order theory, Ramsey theory, approximation theory, geometry, and fractals; cryptography; computational complexity. There will be no assumption of mathematics knowledge more advanced than a vague recollection of middle/high school algebra, nor unrealistic expectations of building expertise in little more than a month's time; the intention for the short course is to build interest in and appreciation for a diverse and beautiful subject too often uglified by elitism, prejudice, and excessive rigidity. Infinity image by Matt Jacobson
There will be no assumption of mathematics knowledge more advanced than a vague recollection of middle/high school algebra, nor unrealistic expectations of building expertise in little more than a month's time.
Students will have a choice of possible homework activities to prepare for each class. While no single form of work is required, students should expect to spend at least as much time outside of class meetings as in them (i.e. 3+ hours per week) on readings, videos, problem sets, games, music, or other activities. The course is not project-based, but instructors will be available (e.g. during office hours) for help with student projects if desired.
Engagement with challenging material is a fundamental part of doing math, so all students should expect to face difficulties while working alone and together to build new connections, intuitions, and understandings. Prior expertise in math is not required; however, based on experience, some students may struggle more than others with certain concepts or activities. Gentleness (with others and themselves) will be an important quality for students to cultivate in order to best realize improved relationships with math and its communities.
Nabil Hassein is a technologist, researcher, and educator who previously worked as a high school math teacher, a software developer, and a freelancer, and is currently a PhD candidate in New York University's Department of Media, Culture, and Communication, writing a dissertation on Arabic-based programming languages and their associated communities. Nabil is an alum of SFPC's previous full time program, and has previously worked for SFPC as a teaching assistant in the critical theory of technology course and co-organizer of Code Ecologies and Mathematics as a Religious Experience, besides previous iterations teaching Learning to Love Mathematics.
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· website
sidony o’neal is a conceptual artist and writer with a focus on postdigital and synthetic methods for the development of works. Engaging philosophies of translation, mathematics, and computing, o’neal’s approach prioritizes research, intuition, and interface among many types of objects and environments. o’neal’s work has been presented with Veronica, SculptureCenter, and Fourteen30 Contemporary. Performances as a part of non-band DT have been presented with Kunstverein Düsseldorf, Volksbühne Berlin, and Performance Space New York. o’neal is a co-founder of INFANT design company. o’neal’s writing has been published at Arts.Black and the journal of Women & Performance among others. o’neal is the author of the chapbook LYFE IN A BOTTLE TREE BOTTLE (House House Press, 2020). o’neal is a 2022-2023 Hodder Fellow at the Lewis Center for the Arts, Princeton University.
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· instagram
Applications open until Applications closed on June 5, 2022.
You can expect to hear back from us about the status of your application on June 20, 2022. Please email us at admissions@sfpc.study with any questions you have.
For 6 classes, it costs $840 + processing fees, for a one-time payment. We also offer payment plans. Participants can schedule weekly or monthly payments of the same amount. First and last payments must be made before the start and end of class. *Processing fees apply for each payment.
SFPC processes all payments via Withfriends and Stripe. Please email admissions@sfpc.study if these payment options don't work for you.
For more information about what we look for in applicants, scholarships, and other frequently asked questions, please visit our applicant FAQ.
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