COURSE: Seminar I 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
This seminar is a highly illustrated and accessible introduction
to visual intelligence, informed by the latest breakthroughs in vision research.
Perhaps the most surprising insight that has emerged from vision research
is this: Vision is not merely a matter of passive perception, it is an intelligent
process of active construction. What you see is, invariably, what your visual
intelligence constructs. Just as scientists intelligently construct useful
theories based on experimental evidence, so your visual system intelligently
constructs useful visual worlds based on images at the eyes. The main difference
is that the constructions of scientists are done consciously, but those of
your visual intelligence are done, for the most part, unconsciously.
GRADING
Seminars 2 through 9 will each be led by one or two students. Your grade
will be based on three measures: (1) Your oral presentation, (2) your participation
in discussions, and (3) a final exam. I discuss each briefly. (1) Your grade
for the oral presentation will be based on how well you master the material
you present, how clearly you present its essence, and how penetratingly you
critique its strengths and weaknesses. (2) You are, of course, expected to
have read whatever material is the subject for discussion in each session,
whether or not you are the primary presenter. Come prepared with questions
for the discussion leader, critiques of the material, and general comments.
To make sure that we all read the material, at the beginning of each class
we will put all our names in a hat and draw one out at random. The person
whose name is drawn will open the class with a five minute summary of the
material for that day. (3) The final will be a 25-question multiple-choice
exam. It will cover the book Visual Intelligence. The final will count
for half of your grade. Your oral presentation will count for 40%, and your
participation in discussions 10%.
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND READINGS
Meeting. Date: Topic
1. W 4/7: Introduction
2. W 4/14: Visual Intelligence - Chapter 1
3. W 4/21: Visual Intelligence - Chapter 2
4. W 4/28: Visual Intelligence - Chapter 3
5. W 5/5: Visual Intelligence - Chapter 4
6. W 5/12: Visual Intelligence - Chapter 5
7. W 5/19: Visual Intelligence - Chapter 6
8. W 5/26: Visual Intelligence - Chapter 7
9. W 6/2: Visual Intelligence - Chapter 8
10. W 6/9: Conclusions and Applications
--- F 6/18, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., FINAL
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