TEXTS: History of Mathematics: Brief Version by
Victor Katz (Addison-Wesley Longman, Inc., 2004)
The Origins of the Infinitesmal Calculus, by Margaret E. Baron
(Dover, 1969-reprint at HSU Bookstore).
Classics of Mathematics, edited by Ron Calinger (Prentice Hall,
1995).
SCOPE: This course will cover some of the key developments in the history of mathematics up to the work of Newton and Leibniz and their contemporaries on calculus. In this we will consider various threads related to notation for numbers, algebra, geometry, and the nature and use of the infinite. Much of the content is relevant to the mathematics currently taught in high schools (though current treatments are based on concepts developed by mathematicians who worked after the periods in history we will study).
Lectures will organize the topics to present materials not covered in the texts as well as those treated in the texts. Supplementary readings and materials will be supplied as appropriate. Summaries of lectures may be available through the course webpage.
TECHNOLOGY: We may use the computer at various stages of this course to illustrate and investigate some of the mathematics from a more modern perspective. We will also be making use of materials found through the world wide web.
ASSIGNMENTS: There will be two quizzes covering some of the
mathematics covered in assignments.
THERE IS NO FINAL EXAMINATION.
Reading Assignment: Each student will be expected to read a short article / note / or web page about the history of mathematics and make brief written summaries/reports of these to be passed on alternate Mondays, beginning date TBA. [These will be graded Honors(4)/Good(3)/Acceptable(2)/NCr(0). Be sure to include an appropriate citation.]
Weekly
assignments will be due on Wednesdays. (Accepted one day
tardy at most!) [These will be graded on a problem by problem
basis.]
Some problems may be assigned but not numerically graded.
Cooperative Assignment: Teams will be formed to work cooperatively on making a presentation on Tuesday, DATE TBA, on a notation for numbers other than the current decimal system.
FINAL ASSESSMENT / TERM PAPER: Each student will be
expected
to write a history of mathematics (term) paper based on a "primary"
source.
Guidelines and advice will be distributed
separately. Each student will
be expected to make a short (no more10 minutes) presentation of the
term paper during the time allotted for the final examnation in the
university examination schedule.
GRADES: Grades will be determined primarily **based on the points you receive from your participation in the various course activities.
| Reading Assignment | 50 points |
| Weekly Assignments | 150 points |
| Quizzes (2 * 50 points/quiz) |
100 points |
| Coop Assignment | 50 points |
| Term paper and Presentation |
150 points |
| TOTAL | 500 points |
** Active
class participation will be considered in deciding individual grades
after
a general grade range has been assigned.
FINAL GRADES: Though final
grades for the course are subject to
my discretion, I will use the following overall percentages based on
the total number of points for your work to determine the broader range
of grades for the course.
A 85-100%
;
B 70- 84% ; C 60- 69%
;
D 50- 59% ; F 0- 49%
•Students with Disabilities: Persons who wish to request disability-related accommodations should contact the Student Disability Resource Center in House 71, 826-4678 (voice) or 826-5392 (TDD). Some accommodations may take up to several weeks to arrange. http://www.humboldt.edu/disability/