We cannot hope to completely answer these questions in one semester. We will try, however, to use mathematics to provide insights not obtainable in other ways and, at the same time, in what for many of you will be your last math course, reveal the true nature of mathematics as no algebra course ever could. My hope is that you will find the course intellectually and philosophically challenging and, at the same time, a highly rewarding one.
Our text is “The Heart of Mathematics,” by Burger and Starbird. We will cover all or parts of Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7. Other topics will be explored as time allows.
I may be reached by phone at x66856, but a better way
to reach me is by email.
If you require my approval for something, do
not consider having left a message for me
as equivalent to having obtained that approval.
Even if their book is more user-friendly than many others,
it still contains big ideas and is not for casual
reading. You must be inquisitive as you read.
Here are some specific suggestions:
Any mail sent to this address will be received by all
members of the class (including me). You may use it
as a forum for discussing assigned problems, topics that
came up in class, etc.
Homework will be assigned daily and, usually, collected in the next
class period. There will be three in-class exams, a cumulative
final exam, and several essays (somewhere between 3 and 5) that you
must write. All of these will contribute to your final grade.
We will try, in general, to have your homework marked in a
timely fashion, at which time I will place it in a folder marked
“graded homework” in the box outside my office where
you may pick it up at your convenience. There is a corresponding
“new homework” folder, in which you may place homework
that is to be collected that day. I consider it late if it has
already been collected by the grader by the time you place it
in the folder, so the safest thing is to hand it in at the end
of class. Homework that is late may receive only 75% of the score
it would have received otherwise, and that only if it is handed in
before the set is returned to the rest of the class.
Your level of participation will also have a bearing on your grade.
You can easily earn the full credit by attending class
regularly (and, of course, being alert),
demonstrating your curiosity with questions (either on topics
being discussed in class or in the text), contributing helpfully
to the email list, taking an active role in a regularly-meeting
study group, etc. It is only in noting an obvious lack of these,
a lack of respectful behavior in class on your behalf,
your use of class time to complete homework, or some other type
of problematic activity (if in this last category then I will
speak with you about it) that I will begin to deduct from your
participation grade.
You are expected to take exams on the day they are given.
If extraordinary circumstances arise (health problems, for
example), speak to me beforehand.
Cheap airfares, early departures for vacations and the
like are not valid excuses for a special exam-taking arrangement.
Please speak with me about problems or issues as they arise during
the semester. I am still growing as a teacher, and if you have
concerns, it is simply a matter of “building one another up”
that you should raise them in an appropriate moment, preferably
while adjustments may still be made that affect your class.
This page maintained by:
Thomas L. ScofieldCourse Objectives
Class Meetings
Our class meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Unless otherwise noted, our meeting place is NH 251.
Section A meets at 8 am, while section B meets at 10:30 am.
Contacting the Professor
My office is NH 281. The hours
I am intentionally in my office for student
questions are posted on my homepage,
and are subject to change during the semester. If we
cannot hook up at one of these times, feel free to
talk with me about an appointed time to meet, or swing
by my office in the hopes that I am available to help.
If you feel yourself falling behind in the class, it
is very important not to put things off, but to seek
help right away. Do not wait until a time close to an
exam before speaking with me.
Reading your Textbook
While we will not cover every section in the textbook,
you are expected to read those that are covered.
The text contains a wealth of
knowledge. It is the work of two master teachers
who are not only giving examples of how
certain skills are performed, but also are trying to
teach you how to think in a mathematically creatively
fashion. In many cases I will not attempt to duplicate
in class what they have said, but will instead assume that
you have read the pertinent sections and, in the
absence of requesting clarifications on the material,
have understood it.
What better than to have two sets of teachers,
one with whom you can interact and ask questions, and
the other comprised of recognized teaching leaders in
the field and whose “lectures” are with you
whenever you are free to open the book?
Your text, moreover, was written to be read,
indeed read by students without a lot of relevant
mathematical experience and/or skill. Here is what the
authors say about the book and its desired audience:
Students should read the book. We have put a great
deal of effort into making the book actually readable by real
students. We do not visualize this book being used merely to
assign exercises at the end of the sections and to ask the
students to find and adapt model examples previously worked
out in the text. We are aiming for student thought which
includes reading and understanding the material before
grappling with the exercises. A basic homework assignment
is for students to read the text and discuss the ideas with
their classmates, roommates, friends and family.
If you are not already accustomed to reading mathematics
in the fashion described above, be aware that it will
definitely increase the amount of time you devote to
reading. Nevertheless, it is time well spent, as it
generally prepares you much better for doing homework
problems (and the kinds of problems you will find on
exams as well) than a more cursory reading of the text
would. Consequently, the amount of time required to
complete homework should drop as a result.
Use of Technology
A good deal of computer use will be expected of you in this
course. Generally speaking, daily homework assignments are available
on the the web, and it is your responsibility to visit
the homework page to find out what they are.
While many announcements, hints, etc. may be given in class, things
that cannot wait until the next class period will be
sent to you as email messages. Thus, it is important that
you be checking your email at least once daily.
I have requested a class email list to which you can send
messages at
Group Work
Your write-ups for all assignments must be in your own hand and words,
except when otherwise noted. This, however, does not mean you are
to work in isolation. Quite to the contrary, I encourage you to come
together with other members of the class to form a study group, and
schedule regular meetings. I strongly believe that students can
earn as much as one letter grade higher by building one another up
in this fashion. Read
this page for more on why I think participating in a study group
is important, my vision of how it might function in order to be of
most benefit to all who participate, and what pitfalls one should
avoid when working with others so as to maintain personal
accountability for the material.
Evaluations
Accomodations
Reasonable academic accomodations will be made for individuals with
documented disabilities. Any student who this concerns should
notify one of the Coordinators for Services for Students with
Disabilities located in the Student Academic Services office, HH 455.
That student should also meet with me during the first two weeks of
the semester to discuss academic accomodations.
Citizenship
The type of concentration required for mathematics/statistics calls
for a distraction-free environment. Please do your part to make
the classroom one conducive for learning by arriving on time, not
working on homework assignments during class, refraining from frivolous
talk, and actively participating in in-class discussions/activities.
Department of Mathematics and Statistics,
Calvin College