IN PERSON: This course offers an accessible introduction to the history and mathematics of cryptography — the art and science of creating and breaking codes. Students explore the development of cryptographic systems from ancient times to the digital age. Topics include: early substitution ciphers; historical code-breaking methods; the cipher of Mary, Queen of Scots; the Vigenère cipher; and the Enigma machine. The course also examines how cryptography shaped the conduct and outcome of the two World Wars. A special section is devoted to the analysis of ancient scripts and languages whose meanings have been lost, exploring the overlap between cryptanalysis and linguistic decipherment. Additional topics include streaming ciphers, the influence of language on cryptanalysis, public key encryption and the potential impact of quantum computing on the future of secure communication. | Lecture + Q&A.
Max enrollment: 25.
Location: Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W. Cornwallis Rd, Durham NC 27705
