The Nexus of Art & Science Prof. Alejandro Garcia Fall 2007 Still Life With Einstein (2002, A.L. Garcia, Acrylic, 8"x 8")

The Nexus of Art & Science

Prof. Alejandro Garcia

Fall 2007

Still Life With Einstein (2002, A.L. Garcia, Acrylic, 8"x 8")

My Contact Info

• Office: Science Bldg. Room 245• Office Phone: (408) 924-5244• Office Hours:

Tuesdays, 11:30am-12:30amThursdays, 10:30am-11:30am

• E-mail: [email protected]• Web: www.algarcia.org

www.algarcia.org/NexusFall07.html

Peer Mentor

Mr. Charles (Chuck) Pierce is the Peer Mentor for this MUSE seminar

Email: [email protected].

Course Overview

Nexus: A bond, link, or connectionThe artist and the scientist share many

common traits, such as a curiosity with the world and a creative spirit.

This course will examine a variety of topics for which these worlds of art and science overlap and complement each other.

Anatomy as a Nexus

For centuries the painter and the biologist have both studied human anatomy.

Leonardo da Vinci

Thomas Eakins

Motion as a Nexus

Artists and scientists can benefit by examining the nexus of the physical sciences with the world of art and design.

An example is the study of motion for dance and animation.

Thomas Eakins

Selected Course Topics

• Fractal worlds and Chaotic systems• Motion and Dance • The Two Forces of the Universe • Dissecting the iPod • Instruments, Musical & Scientific• The Ear and the Brain• Optics and Photography • Making Color

Dynamic Arts

Design Arts

Musical Arts

Visual Arts

Student Survey

Please fill out the anonymous survey so that I can get a sense of the composition of the class.

Turn it in at the end of this class or next Tuesday.

Google Group

Please join the following Google Group:

Nexus_SJSU

This group will be used for exchanging messages among ourselves.

See Chuck if you need help joining the group.

Required Course Reader“The Nexus of Art & Science” Course Reader

Available at the Associated Students’

Print Shop (next to Burger King/Cafeteria)

No other books or workbooks are needed.

Readings may also be found in books on reserve in King library.

www.sjlibrary.org/services/reserves/index.htm

First Reading Assignment

For Tuesday, Aug. 28th:

Read “The Art & Science Dialogue” in Art and Science, by

E. Strosberg, pages 11-23

Be prepared to discuss this reading on Tuesday.

Grades

Each counts 20% of your grade:

• First term paper (2-3 pages)

• Second term paper (2-3 pages)

• Oral presentation (10 minute)

• Homework

• Quizzes & in-class participation

Term Papers

• Two short term papers (2-3 pages)• Must select a topic for your first paper by

Tuesday, September 4th • First draft is due Thurs., Sept. 13th

• First paper due Thurs., Sept. 27th

• Possible topics and a sample term paper will be discussed next time

• Sample term paper may be downloaded from the course website

Oral Presentation

• One short oral presentation (10 minutes)• Oral presentations by a third of the class on each

of these dates:– September 27th

– November 6th

– December 4th

• Dates when you give a presentation you won’t have a term paper due (and vice versa).

• May do your presentation on the same topic as one of your term papers.

Homework

• Homework assigned about once a week.

• No Late Homework.

• Late homework cannot be accepted since solutions presented soon after collected.

• May skip two homeworks without penalty.

• The final exam counts as two homeworks.

Attendance

• Will not be taking attendance.• However…

– You are responsible for all the material discussed in class.

– No make-up for quizzes or in-class activities.

– In-class participation counts.

• May miss two classes without penalty.

MUSE Workshops

Your participation in the MUSE workshops and activities will affect your grade.

Poor participation (attending fewer than two workshops) will drop you by a letter grade

Documented, active participation may raise your course grade by half a letter grade.

First Set of MUSE Workshops

Cheating

• Don’t.

Next LectureNexus of Art & Science

Remember:

Visit course the website

Join the Google Group

Fill out the anonymous student survey

First reading will be discussed on Tuesday