Lecture 1 (April 22, 5 PM) : Basics of MCG - definition, examples, change of coordinates principle, Dehn twists and their properties, periodic and reducible homeomorphisms, statement of the Nielsen-Thurston classification theorem. (Notes)

Lecture 2 (April 27, 5 PM) : Singular foliations on a surface, transverse measure on foliations, example in torus, definition of pseudo-Anosovs. (Notes)

Lecture 3 (May 02, 5 PM) : Anosov maps on torus, two algorithms to construct measured foliations on a surface i.e. by enlarging a simple closed curve and by pulling a measured foliation on torus via a branched covering, a construction of pseudo-Anosovs by Penner. (Notes)