Outline

• Instructor
• Text
• Overview
• Evaluation
• Class Policies
• Schedule Guesstimate

Instructor:

Stephen L. Davis; click here for my weekly schedule.

Text:

T. Q. Sibley, Foundations of Mathematics, John Wiley & Sons, 2009

Overview:

We hope that your experience in this course will serve as a gentle initiation into the larger mathematical community. One technical aspect of this initiation will be an introduction to LaTeX, a markup system for producing mathematical documents on a computer. Other ways this will be fostered will be through outside readings and participation in activities of the Bernard Mathematics Society, including Math Coffees. Your involvement in some of these activities may have tangible rewards towards your course grade, but others will be expected of you as fledgling members of the fellowship of mathematicians.

Note: This semester my classes are testing a new version of Blackboard; access this via http://blackboardtest2.davidson.edu/.

Evaluation:

We will have two take-home writs, one in-class review, and a self-scheduled final examination. Homework will be assigned regularly and collected weekly. Auxiliary activities may include the D. H. Hill Problem Contest, Math Coffees, the Bernard Lecture and other mathematics events on campus.

A culminating activity in the course (along with the final examination) will be the compilation of a proof portfolio. The portfolio will include at least a dozen examples of your proof-writing from homework, each showing your progression from initial effort to polished revision. Your choices for inclusion in the portfolio should provide a broad representation of topics and proof techniques from our course.

A rough recipe for the proportions in which these events combine to produce your evaluation is

• 2 parts writs,
• 2 parts review,
• 3 parts examination,
• 2 parts portfolio,
• 2 part homework and other considerations.

Class Policies:

Collaboration on homework is encouraged. However, anything you present or turn in should represent your own understanding of the material. If you have any questions regarding ground rules for individual events, do not hesitate to ask for clarification.

You should come to class prepared to discuss readings and problems from the text. Each member of the class is a valuable resource for others in the class. Absences and tardiness diminish the quality of the course; come to class and come on time. I monitor attendance; missing 20% of class meetings can trigger action to encourage more faithful attendance. In any event, you are responsible for all material discussed in class, whether you are present or absent.

Schedule Guesstimate: