The second summer session at the University of California, San Diego is drawing to a close this week. If UCSD continues past policy, all of the course podcasts for the summer session will soon disappear from the UCSD podcast website. So if you’re interested in any of the current classes, now is the time to download the lectures.
Here are a few good bets (some I mentioned before):
Optical illusion:Both circles are the exact same color( HEX#D18600 ), and both squares containing them are also the exact same color ( HEX#707070 ). Image credit*
Introduction to Sensation and Perception -website, feed- David Peterzell.
This course is from the psychology department, but it mixes in bits of philosophy, biology and physics. In the first couple of lectures, Peterzell explores the world of optical illusions, with illustrations from the art work of M.C. Escher. Since these talks do not include visuals, you might want to check out this website which gives an interesting introduction to optical illusions, and this website which displays Lego models of Escher’s images.
Politics and Warfare -website-feed- Victor Magagna.
Magagna introduces a theoretical framework for studying the origins of war. He contrasts the insights of the realists (he prefers the term structuralists) with the insights of the liberal theorists (he calls them institutionalists). He gives the nod to the realists, especially in explaining the origins of World War I.
East Asian Thought -website, feed- Victor Magagna.
In this course political science professor Victor Magagna explores the world of East Asian political thought, and how the Eastern political tradition continues to influence political and business leaders in Asia today. Especially recommended: lecture #3, in which Magagna describes the challenges that faced a Chinese magistrate in the 18th century. Notice especially the emphasis on responsibilities of officials rather than the rights of the citizens.
*Image credit: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
Filed under: 5-star professors, Courses, International Relations, Political Science, Psychology | Tagged: Victor Magagna, David Peterzell, M.C. Escher, optical illusions
Another one that is in the list of this Summer semester is MMW 6. The quality here varies. Professor Evans makes a couple of mistakes and is not always very sure of his data, which quite drawback for a history course. But some of his analysis are rather insightful