The Polymath Lecture Series

Site news

Code Like a Rockstar Enrollment Closed

by Michael Barnathan - Monday, January 2, 2012, 12:51 AM

 

Thanks for your interest in "Code Like a Rockstar"! The enrollment deadline has passed and guest access has been disabled. The course is now restricted to enrolled students.

 

Programming Masterclass: Code Like a Rockstar!

by Michael Barnathan - Thursday, December 29, 2011, 05:26 PM

 

Do you have a background in software engineering or web development? Develop your craft into something truly recession-proof and land the top jobs in the field. Learn to Code Like a Rockstar!

Taught by a successful Google Software Engineer and Computer Science Ph. D., this 5-session online masterclass will teach you expert-level coding techniques and practices which will get your code noticed by companies such as Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft. Acquired over years of writing amazingly stable software at unimaginable scale and complexity, the tips in this course go well beyond the techniques taught in a typical software engineering program.

Start: January 7, 2012
Duration: 5 weeks of 2-hour discussions, 3 programming assignments.
Course Fee: $200
Prerequisites: Knowledge of a programming language and facility with development tools, such as a compiler and a debugger.

Certificates will be provided upon successful completion of the course.

 

"Introduction to the Creative Economy" now open for enrollment!

by Michael Barnathan - Thursday, December 2, 2010, 08:58 PM

 

The first of our creativity courses, "Introduction to the Creative Economy", is now open for enrollment! To enroll, click on the course title and click the "enroll me in C200" link on the left-hand side of the course page. This course is free. As always, donations are appreciated.

The start date is March 7, 2011!

 

Courses

Subject-Specific Courses

Data Structures and Algorithms

How to Create Your Own Website

Creativity Courses

Introduction to the Creative Economy

Premium Courses

Code Like a Rockstar

Talks and Lectures

How to Learn Everything: Learning Skills for Becoming a 21st Century Renaissance Person

Volunteered Courses

Future Courses

Upcoming: Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking

Small Business Marketing

Human Factors and Functional Aesthetics

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Available courses

• Data Structures and Algorithms

  Roughly 20-30 donated Data Structures and Algorithms slides, assignments, labs, and materials, previously prepared by the instructor for a 14-week twice-weekly format. (Note that these materials may refer to this previous class and the dates that the class was held. These references may be safely disregarded).
  
  Audio annotations will be posted lecture-by-lecture as time permits.
  
  This course is free. Assignments will be graded only on request. Suggested prerequisites include an understanding of basic Java or C++ programming and basic familiarity with discrete mathematics.
  
  Suggested donation: $140 for the whole course.
  

  

• How to Create Your Own Website

  • Instructor: Michael Barnathan

  A first course in web design and development using graphical design tools. Topics include web design, HTML markup, style sheets, Javascript, and basic AJAX.
  
  Offered online at this website. The lectures may be viewed at your own convenience.
  
  Prerequisites: Basic computer skills, familiarity with Microsoft Windows.
  
  Initially offered from April 4 to June 6, 2009. Lectures will remain online indefinitely, but no new webspace on our servers or certificates will be issued for this course. Cost: Free. Suggested donation: $10 per lecture.
  

  

• Introduction to the Creative Economy

  • Instructor: Tom Tresser

  "The MFA is the new MBA." So said Daniel Pink in a "A Whole New Mind - Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the World." Creativity and innovation are driving a great deal of global economic development. In fact, the Council on Competitiveness has announced that "Innovation will be the single most important factor in determining America’s success through the 21st century." So, to paraphrase the famous commercial from the California Milk Processor Board, "Got creativity?" This class will help students assess and develop their own creative abilities and expose them to multiple tools and techniques to enhance their personal and professional creativity. We will explore the role of creativity in the American experience and how it is a driver for economic development. We will investigate a strategy framework for thinking creatively about innovation. We will look at creative innovators in the arts, commerce, government and social change. Students will be asked to investigate and report on one creative innovator for this class.

  
  Start date March 7, 2011. This course is free, but donations are strongly encouraged.
  

  

• Code Like a Rockstar

  • Instructor: Michael Barnathan

  Do you have a background in software engineering or web development? Develop your craft into something truly recession-proof and land the top jobs in the field. Learn to Code Like a Rockstar!
  
  Taught by a successful Google Software Engineer and Computer Science Ph. D., this 5-session online masterclass will teach you expert-level coding techniques and practices which will get your code noticed by companies such as Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft. Acquired over years of writing amazingly stable software at unimaginable scale and complexity, the tips in this course go well beyond the techniques taught in a typical software engineering program.
  
  Start: January 7, 2012
  Duration: 5 weeks of 2-hour discussions, 3 programming assignments.
  Course Fee: $175 for a limited time, ordinarily $200
  Prerequisites: Knowledge of a programming language and facility with basic development tools, such as a compiler and a debugger.
  
  Certificates will be provided upon successful completion of the course. You may preview the course as a guest prior to the start date, but must be enrolled to view the lectures, assignments, or discussions.

• How to Learn Everything: Learning Skills for Becoming a 21st Century Renaissance Person

  • Instructor: Michael Barnathan

  A talk (not a complete course) given on learning, creativity, time management, and the lives of historical polymaths, with a focus on how to apply these lessons from the past to the universal pursuit of knowledge in the present.
  
  Given online and in selected areas within the United States. Complete list of locations TBA.
  
  The talk is now available online.
  

  

• Upcoming: Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking

  Learn everything from how to interpret a contract to truly understanding what a given statistic means in this 14 week critical thinking course.

  

• Small Business Marketing

  Marketing and building awareness of brands, products, and services, primarily within the context of small business, where fiscal and human resources are limited.
  
  Start date and details TBA.
  

  

• Human Factors and Functional Aesthetics

  • Instructor: Leif Masrud

  A case-study course on designing systems (whether architectural, mechanical, or virtual) that are meant for human interaction, and how to optimize those interactions.
  
  Start date and additional details TBA.