Summary

The eCHT Kan seminar is an online graduate student seminar in algebraic topology, modeled after the “Kan seminar” at MIT. In this seminar, students will

• Read and assimilate information from research papers in algebraic topology.
• Present the contents of these papers in an online seminar format.
• Discuss these papers with other participants.

Student Expectations

Students will take turns giving presentations on the contents of research papers. Students are expected to attend all presentations.

Students may select papers that match their particular mathematical interests; some possibilities are listed on the seminar webpage. In general, papers should be chosen for the significance of their contents and also for their expository quality.

Some suggested papers (from Dan Isaksen, John Klein, and Andrew Salch)
More suggested papers (from Mark Behrens and Haynes Miller)

Over the course of the semester, each student will give a 50-minute-long presentation via Zoom. The presentation can be made using Beamer slides or screen capture software. For example, see recordings of recent eCHT presentations. Students will have the opportunity to give practice presentations with live audiences.

Students must skim the paper being presented each week and post a response (at least one paragraph) in the private seminar workspace prior to that week’s talk. These responses can include comments and questions about the mathematical content of the paper, as well as how the paper fits into their understanding of the subject. The shared online workspace will also serve as a forum where students can ask questions as they prepare for their presentations.

Students are encouraged to obtain independent study credit from their home universities for their participation in the eCHT Kan seminar, but this is not required.

Syllabus

See the tentative syllabus for more information.

Organizers

The seminar is run by Sarah Petersen (University of Colorado) with the assistance of some graduate student assistants Hassan Abdallah (Wayne State University) and Danika Van Niel (Michigan State University).

Application

Please submit the application form to apply. Applications received by August 26 will receive full consideration. Contact Dan Isaksen for inquiries about applications.

Schedule

The seminar meets on Tuesdays at 11:00 am Eastern time.  It runs from September 5 through December 12. There will be no meeting on November 22 during the week of Thanksgiving (US).