The aim of the course is to aquaint the student with the physical (thermodynamic) and chemical principles (intermolecular interactions) of self assembly of soft and hybrid materials, such as liquid crystals, polymers, dendrimers, and some of their nanocomposites in bulk and as thin films. Functionality as electronic and optical devices is discussed. Methods of structural characterization of organic and hybrid nanomaterials are described, with the emphasis on reciprocal space (diffraction) techniques. Microscopy methods are describe relatively briefly, with the emphasis on techniques using limearly and circularly polarized light.