Course Syllabus   Fall 2008

 

 

Course Number:                   Mathematics 125, 126, 233                                 Classroom:            

Instructor:                                Dr Paul Prueitt                                                            Credit hours:         3

Office:                                                                                                                Phone:                     

Office Hours:                          Noon - 2 P.M. MTWTF

 

Rationale based on Desired Outcomes of the college graduate:  The college graduate will have a liberal understanding of the foundations of mathematics. 

General Studies Goal : As part of the College's interdisciplinary focus we present arithmetic, set theory and algebra as foundational to more advanced studies, including statistics.

Major Goal:

1.              To provide a new orientation to the student's awareness about college level mathematics

2.              To shift responsibility for learning to the student so that learning may be transformational

3.              To prepare students for standardized testing

4.              Learn to use the demand side educational practice being introduced by Prueitt

General Outline of Course Content

1st Class:               The nature of problem solving in mathematics, class rules, testing procedure

2nd Class:                 How to list the topics of chapter one.  Preparing a topic list.  Exposition of mathematical concepts, example problems and the nature of a proof

3rd Class:                 Review of topic presentation and study methods

 

General Plan for the Course

Most classes will start by asking if anyone has a topic they would like to see exposited. Sometimes a student will be encouraged to make a short presentation of some topic. 

 

Requirements (Expectations)

1.              Students must complete the following:

a.              Mid-term exam (20% of grade), a blank paper test

b.              Final exam (10% of grade)

c.              All exams will be blank paper tests, except the final

d.              Each student will develop a collection of essays, topic representations and blank paper tests. This collection may be reviewed as part of your grade assignment

e.              Students will be responsible for reading the textbook, doing exercises and other wise using the text book as a secondary reference

f.               In class lectures and discussions are the primary reference

 

Students are expected to attend each scheduled class meeting on time.  The class attendance policy will be strictly enforced.  Students are expected to form and participate in study groups outside the class.

 

Enjoyment and honesty

The most important part of this class is to enjoy the class, to be active intellectually and to show respect to me and to your colleagues.  When this is occurring the rules are opened up to allow creativity and the demonstration of capability.  Within this context, any student may ask for extra assignments and will be given additional time.  Students should organize study groups and move to excel in the class curriculum, and will be rewarded in a just fashion for such work.