Reading group "What the Stack?"

Following the wonderful notes by Jarod Alper we want to start learning about the theory of stacks and orbifolds with the moduli space of curves in mind. Along the way we will also visit several other important topics in Algebraic Geometry: Flatness, Stable Curves, Hilbert Schemes, Grothendieck Topologies ...

We will usually meet on Thursday at 2 pm in room S6. The schedule for the first talks is as follows

• 11.1.2023: "Introduction to moduli problems" Clemens Nollau
• 25.1.2023: "Flat families" Victoria Schleis
• 1.2.2023: "Hilbert schemes" Javier Sendra-Arranz
• 8.2.2023: "Stable curves" Clemens Nollau
• 15.2.2023: "Grothendieck Topologies" Victoria Schleis

This reading group is organized by Javier Sendra-Arranz, Victoria Schleis and Clemens Nollau. We are open for all participants, you can either just listen to talks or give one yourself later on. If you have any questions, for example regarding time or prerequisites, feel free to contact us!

Some literature:

• "Stacks and moduli" - Notes by Jarod Alper (available online)
• "The rising sea" - Notes on Algebraic Geometry in general by Ravi Vakil (available online)
• "Stacks for everybody" - A short introduction to Stacks by Barbara Fantechi (available online)
• "Geometry of Algebraic Curves" by Arbarello, Cornalba, Harris and Griffiths (both volumes available in Clemens office)