| C. Dyer | Advances in Science and Engineering in the Italian Renaissance | Winter 2005 |
E-mail: dyer@cs.wisc.edu
Office Hours: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays and 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursdays in the Faculty Office, and by appointment
Telephone: 055 442987 (apartment)
340 4962637 (mobile)
Course Description
There are two main goals of this course: (1) to learn about
some of the scientific, engineering, and technological
advances made during the Italian Renaissance, and (2) to
learn about digital video production to create your own
mini-documentaries about some aspect of science and engineering
in Italy today. Study about the use of experiments
involving detailed observation and quantitative
measurement of nature combined with the use of mathematics
as a tool for describing and analyzing the natural
world. Topics will include Brunelleschi's invention of
linear perspective and its use in art; the invention of
mechanical devices for building construction and used
in erecting the dome of the Florence cathedral; Leonardo
da Vinci's machines; and Galileo's discovery of the laws
of motion and his development and use of the telescope to
advance astronomy. Teams
of students will use provided video equipment to make their
own mini-documentaries. No prior experience will be assumed
in terms of science or math background or using video
equipment or editing software.
Schedule
Textbooks
- Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture,
R. King, Penguin Books, 2001
- Leonardo, M. Kemp, Oxford University Press, 2004
- Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love, D. Sobel, Penguin Books, 2000
- Sidereus Nuncius or the Sidereal Messenger,
G. Galilei and A. Van Helden, University of Chicago Press, 1989
Other Readings
Some other readings will be available on the web in the
Readings on Reserve list.
Use the login name dyer and the password given in class.
Other readings will be put in the course folder
My Documents -> Dyer - Science in Renaissance on the villa computers.
Grading
- Project: about 40%
- Homework Assignments: about 30%
- Class Attendance and Participation: about 30%
Attendance Policy
Attendance at all classes and required site visits is mandatory.
Absences will affect your final grade.
Academic Integrity
Cheating and
plagiarism will be dealt with in accordance with university
procedures (see the
Academic Misconduct Guide).
Be sure to cite any sources you use including web pages.
If you have any questions on this, ask the instructor before you act.
Acknowledgements
This course could not have been developed without the generous help from many people.
In particular, powerpoint slides and other course materials have been made available
to me by Marc Levoy (Stanford), Bill Warren (Brown),
and Chris Anderson (Wisconsin). Others
whose materials have been a source for my course's development include
Antonio Criminisi (Microsoft) and Steve Seitz (Washington).
Web Page
http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~dyer/hs323/
Documentary Video Projects
The Villa Corsi-Salviati Choir
by Katie Carrico, Angela Corradin, Jason Dobkowski, Linda Nguyen and Josh Swenson
(6 minutes; 11 MB)
Pilfered Panettone
by Amanda Fales, Josh Kalscheur, Myssi Kao, Kristin Kronberg, Rachel Schloss and Stacy Weber
(7 minutes; 13 MB)
Gelato: The Flavor of Italy
by Jason Dobkowski, Myssi Kao, Kristin Kronberg and Stacy Weber
(11 minutes; 20 MB)
Maintaining the Beauty of the Ages
by Angela Corradin, Josh Kalscheur and Rachel Schloss
(12 minutes; 22 MB)
Wine and the Cork
by Katie Carrico, Amanda Fales, Linda Nguyen and Josh Swenson
(10 minutes; 18 MB)
Class Field Trip to the Cupola of the Duomo
Class Field Trip to the History of Science Museum (and Galileo's finger)
Slideshow
