Class time will be divided between problem solving and lectures-on-demand. It is your responsibility to read the text and to engage in the struggle to achieve an understanding of the material before coming to class. I will attempt to illuminate those concepts that remain in the shadows in spite of your attempts to coax them out. Also, you may be asked to present problem solutions in class, and there will be regular written homework assignments for you to turn in for my inspection.
Note: Homework assignments and other course announcements will be posted on our class Moodle site, access this via http://moodle.davidson.edu/.
A culminating activity in the course (along with the final examination) will be the compilation of a problem 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 from our course. (Tentative portfolio due dates: a "substantial" draft by 5 p.m., November 16; final version by 5 p.m., December 10.)
The major components of your grade are the two reviews, homework, the portfolio, and the final examination. A recipe for the relative contributions of these components toward your grade in this course is roughly
Collaboration on homework is encouraged. However, anything you present or turn in should represent your understanding of the material. Homework is evaluated with letter grades. 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 the material of the day. 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.
| Date | Chapter/Sections | Event/Topic | |
| Aug 28, 30 | I.1--4 | II.5 | I. Operations; II. Intro to Groups |
| Sep 4, 6 | II.6 | II.7-8 | |
| Sep 11, 13 | III.9-10 | III.11 | III. Equivalence |
| Sep 18, 20 | III.12-13 | IV.14 | IV. Groups |
| Sep 25, 27 | IV.15 | .. | |
| Oct 2, 4 | Review | IV.16 | Review #1 |
| Oct 9, 11 | IV.17 | IV.18 | |
| Oct 16, 18 | no class | IV.19-20 | Fall Break; .. |
| Oct 23, 25 | V.21 | V.22 | V. Group Homomorphisms |
| Oct 30, Nov 1 | V.23 | VI.24 | VI. Intro to Rings |
| Nov 6, 8 | VI.25-26 | VI.27 | |
| Nov 13, 15 | .. | Review | .. ; Review #2 |
| Nov 20, 22 | VIII.34-35 | no class | VIII. Polynomials; Thanksgiving |
| Nov 27, 29 | VIII.36 | VIII.37 | |
| Dec 4, 6 | IX.38-39 | IX.40-41 | IX. Quotient Rings |
| Dec 11, 13 | debrief | Reading Day | .. |
| Dec 14--20 | Final Examination | ||