Symmetry and Aesthetics in Contemporary Physics An experimental seminar to explore the connections between contemporary physics, math, and fine arts CCS 120, Section 3 Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 - 10:30 AM Room 164b, Old Little Theater

This course is sponsored by NASA, JPL, and the Planck Mission

Symmetry is the underlying principle behind all of the Laws of Physics, from Newton’s classical laws of dynamics, to Einstein’s General Relativity, to modern Cosmology, Particle Physics, and beyond. Symmetry is also at the heart of our aesthetic experiences in music, dance, and art.

In this unique, interdisciplinary seminar you will have the opportunity to explore mathematics as a language of description, prediction, and analogy; to think about the way spacetime and matter interact; to understand that space is not an absolute fixed entity into which the universe is expanding, but rather that spacetime itself is expanding.

You will have the opportunity to explore the connections between math and physics and art, music, and dance through the common ground of symmetry. You will have the opportunity to solve familiar problems in new ways, to solve new problems using familiar techniques, and also have the opportunity to create your own work of “physics-art.”

• Required Texts:
  1. Fearful Symmetry: The Search for Beauty in Modern Physics
     by Anthony Zee, Princeton University Press, 2007 edition, available from UCSB Bookstore
  2. Course Reader, available from AS Notes Window, UCen
• Course Requirements:
  1. Readings, written commentaries, and art-problem sets, class attendance and participation: 50%
  2. Final Project: 50% (presentation or installation : 25%; written explanation: 25%)
     You will create a work of physics art (or a physics work of art!) which explicitly utilizes and communicates your understanding of some combination of the principles of symmetry, dimensions, spacetime, gravity, numbers in nature from the course that most interest you, and present it to the class. This could be an art installation, a musical composition which you will perform, a choreography, a poem - it is your choice. You may work solo, or collaboratively. You may work in any medium you choose to illustrate or explore your understanding of or reaction to any of the concepts in physics and mathematics that we have explored this quarter.
• This is a seminar, NOT a lecture course, therefore a satisfying class experience for all is dependent on the attendance and artful participation of everyone.
• Final exam: There will NOT be a final exam; rather, we will have a celebration and presentation of physics works of art on FRIDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 14, from 1 PM until...well, until we are done. Plan on 5 PM.
• SALON Ms. Hannah Rose Vainstein, art major from the College of Creative Studies, will hold salon (day/times to be determined). I encourage attendance at salon, to further discuss the connections between arts and sciences. Surprise guests (maybe even some Nobel Laureates!) are expected to attend.

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Schedule of Classes and Topics	Lecture Slides	Course Expectations	Final Project

	Research page of Dr. van der Veen		A good biography of Professor Emmy Noether, the person who linked symmetry with physical laws
	Home page of Dr. Anthony Zee , author of your text book		Home page of Dr. Mario Livio , author of many articles in your course reader
	Link to home page of Dr. Jean-Pierre Hebert , Artist in Residence at the KITP		Official M.C. Escher website
	Nestinarstvo: Ecstatic fire walking There are still some things that Physics can't explain!		Ethnic Dance page of Dr. van der Veen