Description: The topic of this honors
tutorial is formal semantics - the meaning of things
expressed using mathematical techniques. We will read and
discuss selections from Gödel, Escher, Bach, by
Douglas Hofstadter to explore relationships among types of
information. We will discuss techniques for defining the
meaning of traditional programming and mathematical
languages as well as non-traditional languages such as
music and dance. In addition, we will look at how semantics
related work in the early 20th century by Hilbert, Gödel,
Turing, Church and Chompsky changed the way we look at
semantics and defined what was the beginnings of computer
science. All this 20-30 years before the
first computer. Finally, we will examine the social
implications of semantics and discuss its relevance in
today's scientific discourse.
Time: 1:00-2:00 F
Location: 102 Nunemaker
Instructor: Perry Alexander
Office: 2022 Eaton Hall / 136 Nichols Hall
Office Hours: 10:00 -
11:00 MWF or By Appointment
Phone: 4-8833 / 4-7741
Email
Me
Prerequisites: Admission to the KU Honors
Program
Texts: Douglas Hofstadter, Gödel,
Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid, Basic Books,
1999. ISBN: 978-0465026562