In this course, I teach the basic components of category theory, focusing on objects, maps, and compositions of maps. From here, we learn about their application in commutative diagram proofs, which can be used to demonstrate so many different results that mathematicians have jokingly called them "general nonsense". In reality, the methods of category theory are remarkably intuitive and simple to learn, precisely because they reveal the contentless form of mathematics itself, drawing the interest of countless mathematicians, philosophers and scientists. Any math course that you've taken had ideas provable using these techniques, whether it was logic, geometry, algebra, or calculus. Learn them, and amaze your teachers by showing them your clever "nonsense proofs".

1) I will present some results from memory research and the development of mnemonic systems; 2) I will briefly demonstrate mnemonics in practice; 3) by the time you leave, you should already be able to start using these techniques yourself. Handouts with all necessary information about how to use them will be distributed for you to take home. If you're interested, google Ben Pridmore to see how amazing these tricks of the trade can get.

This will be an introductory-level lecture on the philosophy of physics; the topic of focus will be Einstein's theory of special relativity. The material will feature mathematical equations, but the primary objective of the course is to understand the theory for its philosophical implications regarding important questions about space and time, notably: substantivalism vs. relationalism and presentism vs. eternalism. No serious background is assumed, and all terminology will be explained before it is utilized in conversation.