Reading
Nothing we read in this class will be a
traditional mathematics or history book. The course will be much
more
designed
around reading and discussion. There should be all sorts of
reactions
from the reading . . topics to discuss, reactions to stories, questions
about
the mathematical content, etc. Each day
you
are required to bring reading reactions to class. These reading
reactions must include reactions to at least five topics in the
reading.
They must be written in intelligible English. Each one will
be evaluated out of 5 points, with points deducted for fewer than five
points being addressed.
Participation
Since most of the class is discussion, deriving
the same benefits by merely examining someone's class notes or reading
the
textbook would be impossible. If you are present for a discussion
you will receive one participation point that day. If you also
participate
to the class as a whole (answer a question, present a solution, ask an
insightful question or offer important relevant commentary - even
sharing about your first-year experience) you will
receive
two participation points for that day. Present each day and never
speaking in class will earn 80%. Speaking every other day will
earn
95%. Scores between will be scaled linearly.
Grading
Your grade in this course will be strictly
the average between your reading reaction score and your participation
score.
Note: 101 courses are very special. You
may
drop at any time with no consequence. So, if nothing else, please
stick
around and come visit us.
Feedback
Occasionally you will be given
anonymous feedback forms. Please use them to share any thoughts
or concerns for how the course is running. Remember, the sooner
you tell me your concerns, the more we can do about them. We have
also created a .
If we have not yet discussed this in class, please encourage me to
create a class code. This site may also be accessed via our course
page on a link entitled . Of
course, you are always welcome to approach me outside of class to
discuss these issues as well.
Religious Holidays
It is our policy to give students who miss class
because of observance of religious holidays the opportunity to make up
missed work. You are responsible for notifying me no later than
September 11 of plans to observe the holiday.
Schedule
There are lots of gaps here. On September 4,
after students have read Chapters 1-2, we will discuss what other
chapters to read. At that point we will be able to plan our
semester more fully.
August 28
Introductions
September 4 Chapters 1 - 2
September 11 Chapter 3
September 18 Chapter 4
September 25 Chapter 6
October 2
Chapter 7
October 16 Chapter 12
October 23 Chapter 17
October 30 Chapter 19
November 6 Chapter 20
around November 13 visit to George
Eastman House and University of Rochester library.