Spring, 2014 MW 3:00 - 4:20 PM
ROOM: KA 102
(Last Revised on 2/15/2014 )
OFFICE: BSS 346
PHONE:826-4950
Office Hours : MW: 13:00
- 13:50 BSS 346;
Shared T:
15:00-16:50 R:
14:00-15:50 BSS 308;
AND BY APPOINTMENT or chance!
E-MAIL: flashman at humboldt.edu
WWW:
http://flashman.neocities.org/
SCOPE: In this course we will explore topics in
mathematics that have arisen from attempts to define and explain
experience both formally and informally.
Limitations, unexpected consequences and applications
resulting from the development of concepts illustrate the power
of mathematics to measure, to translate, to transform, and to classify.
Discussions will range over topics not covered in the text as
well as those treated in the text.
Readings and materials will be from the assigned
texts and materials linked to the course on the world wide web
and occasional handouts as appropriate.
Course Student Learning
Outcomes The following are some of the objectives I
hope we can accomplish together through this course this
semester.
(Taken from various sources.)
* Read expository mathematics with understanding and
appreciation.
* Appreciate the breadth of what mathematics is and the beauty
of it as a subject of inquiry
and as a tool for explaining
phenomena in the world.
* Articulate mathematical ideas in both oral and written forms.
* Work
together on mathematics in
small groups.
Moodle. We will use MOODLE as one of the
learning and feedback tools in this class. In addition to
keeping you updated with class assignments and
expectations and making announcements as needed, I will post
regular class notes.
You should take some time to
explore the site to see where I will post various
things, including the assignments. Again, it is important
for you to check MOODLE regularly – I would advise at least
twice a week – and keep up with the assignments and expectations
as posted there.
A preliminary portfolio entry
should be submitted for preview feedback and advice no later
than February 24th. (revised 2-15)
A second entry is due for review no later than March 10th.
A third entry is due for review no later than April 7th.
A fourth and any more entries are due for review no later
than April 21st.
*The entire complete and revised portfolio is due by Friday, April 25th before 1
pm.
If you are working
toward the grade of B or A you will need to submit
additional entries with your portfolio. You may obtain
optional feedback on these (if you desire
it) by bringing them to me for preview during my
office hours or by appointment. I recommend
producing an entry almost weekly for the grade of A and
then selecting your best efforts for your portfolio.
A portfolio entry can report on the content of reading, illustrate it by examples, work through several related exercises and activities if available and/or follow up on it with an individual response and creativity.
The content of the
portfolio entry should relate specifically and directly to
some mathematics discussed in class
or in the readings. Personal observations, philosophical
musings, and aesthetic judgments are not adequate by
themselves to qualify as mathematical content.
Suggested resources for the
entries may be found on the Assignment and Reading List.
Portfolios will be
due for grading on Friday,
April 25th before 1 P.M.
The Project.
Each student will participate in a course project as a part of
a partnership. Each partnership will have three or four
members. These projects will be designed with assistance from
myself. The quality of the project will be used for
determining letter grades above the C level. Ideas for
projects will be discussed during the third week.
Click here for Project
Proposal Guidelines and Suggestions
Preliminary Project Proposals should be
submitted for first review by 5 pm, Monday, February
24th.
Projects
should be submitted for grading by Friday, May 2nd before noon.
A Project Fair will be organized for displays and
presentations during the time scheduled for the final
examination, Wednesday, May 14 starting at 3:00 pm. Details
will be discussed later.
There is NO FINAL EXAMINATION for the course.
ADVICE: I am available during office hours and
by appointment to consult with individuals or partnerships on
particular portfolio entries and/or project ideas. Don't be
shy!
*** ATTENDANCE SHOULD BE A HABIT ***
Technology: The computer offers a very useful tool to enhance visual and computational understanding as well as a powerful device for discovering and presenting resources on the world wide web. A short list of world wide web sites for further reading will be organized on a weekly basis with materials specifically related to the course topics.
GRADES: Four or more absences without extenuating circumstances may be justification for a grade of F.
Otherwise final grades will be determined by taking into consideration the quality of work done in the course as evidenced primarily by work on in-class activities, assignments, projects, and portfolios.
**Only the letter grades of A, B, C, D,
and F will be given. (No + or -'s)
Minimum Standards:
** For the grade of C or CR a student must at least
(1) have satisfactory attendance and
participation,
(2) have a satisfactory record on the
assignments and class activities (about 80% +'s),
(3) have participated responsibly on
a satisfactory group project,
and (4) have submitted a portfolio with
at least 4 satisfactory entries.
** Without some compensating work, missing
components of the mimimum standards for the grade of C or CR
may result in a grade of D or F. There will not be "extra
credit" assignments for indviduals.
** For the grade of B (or A) a student must at least
(1) be qualified for a grade
of C,
and (2) submit a portfolio with at least 2 (or 5)
entries beyond the work submitted for
grade of C.
[Thus submit a total of 6 entries for a B and 9 entries for an A.]
The portfolio's quality will be used also to determine the
final grade .
Students wishing to be graded with
either CR or NC should make this request using the on-line
registration web site.
Students
with Disabilities: Persons who wish to request
disability-related accommodations should contact the
Student Disability Resource Center in the Learning
Commons, Lower Library, 826-4678 (voice) or 826-5392
(TDD).
Some accommodations may take up to
several weeks to arrange. http://www.humboldt.edu/disability/
Add/Drop
policy: Students are responsible for knowing the
University policy, procedures, and schedule for
dropping or adding classes.
http://pine.humboldt.edu/registrar/students/regulations/schedadjust.html
Emergency
evacuation: Please review the
evacuation plan for the classroom (posted on the orange
signs), and review http://www.humboldt.edu/emergencymgmtprogram/evacuation_procedures.php
for information on campus Emergency Procedures.
During an emergency, information can be found campus
conditions at: 826-INFO or www.humboldt.edu/emergency
Academic
honesty: Students are responsible for knowing
policy regarding academic honesty: http://www.humboldt.edu/studentrights/academic_honesty.php or http://pine.humboldt.edu/registrar/catalog/
Attendance
and disruptive behavior: Students are
responsible for knowing policy regarding attendance
and disruptive behavior:
http://www.humboldt.edu/studentrights/attendance_behavior.php
Last updated:2-15-2014