MATH 116:01/02 – Mathematics and Humanity                                                  Fall 2017

 

Instructor: Neil Sigmon                                                           Phone: 831-5340           

Office: Whitt 209                                                                      Email: npsigmon@radford.edu

Homepage: http://www.radford.edu/npsigmon

Course Homepage: http://www.radford.edu/npsigmon/courses/math116/math116.html

Office Hrs:  11:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m., 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday

                     Other times by appointment

 

Textbook: Math and Humanity, Case, Corwin, and Sigmon.

                Supplemental Text located on D2L course website.

 

Textbook Coverage: Sections 1.1-1.3, 1.5, 2.1-2.7, 3.1-3.4, 4.1-4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1-6.6, supplemental topics on sets, and other topics if time permits.

                                              

Class Meeting Times: Section 01: Tuesday, Thursday 12:30-1:45 p.m. in Young 402A.

                                   Section 02: Tuesday, Thursday 2-3:15 p.m. in Young 402A.

 

Test Dates: To be announced (There will be three major tests and a final exam).

 

Final Exam Date:   Section 01: 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 12th in Young 402A.

                               Section 02: 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, December 12th in Young 402A.

                         

Grading Policy: 60 % 3 Major Tests 

                          20 % Final Exam* (Comprehensive, common, and multiple Choice)

                          20 % Hand written Homework, in-class work, WeBWorK Assignments

 

* Since the final exam is cumulative, the final exam grade, if it is higher will replace the lowest test score of the three major tests.

 

Grade Scale:  90-100     A
                       87-89       B+                             

                       80-86       B
                       77-79       C+

                       70-76       C       
                       67-69       D+

                       60-66       D

                       < 60        F

                        A “-” grade will be awarded at the discretion of the instructor

 

Prerequisite: High School Algebra

 

“Makeup” Test Policy: Approval for making up a missed test should be given prior to the scheduled test. The makeup test must be taken within one week following the scheduled test. Documentation is required for all make-ups. Except for extraordinary circumstances, approval for a makeup test will not be granted if the scheduled test has already been given.

 

Attendance Policy:    Attendance is a requirement in this class. If you miss a class, you are responsible for making up any missed work. Attendance will be taken each class period. Attendance means RESPONSIBILITY – I look much more favorably on students who have good attendance habits.

 

Late Homework Policy: Late hand written homework will be accepted but only limited credit will be given. I consider late homework to be homework turned in later than 5:00 p.m. of the day the assignment is due. The maximum number of points a student can receive for a late homework is ten points lower than the minimum grade of all students who have turned in the assignment on time. For example, if an assigned homework is worth 80 points and the lowest score of the on-time assignments is 60/80, the maximum grade a student can receive for the assignment is 50/80. No exceptions to this policy will be granted except for extreme circumstances that require official university documentation or a predetermined arrangement between the student and myself that is done prior to the assignment due date. Late assignments must be turned in within one class day of the assignment due date to obtain any credit. 

 

Resources for Assistance

1.     The Learning Assistance Center: The Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC), located in 126 Walker Hall, is open to all students Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Certified, trained tutors provide face-to-face help with basic study skills, writing, and content-specific material.  An appointment is necessary and can be made by calling 831-7704 or emailing larc@radford.edu.

2.     NetTutorä :  In NetTutorä you may work online with “live” tutors who are available extensively throughout the week, or you may submit a question or paper for a later response.  After you have logged into the MyRU web portal, you can access NetTutorä through the D2L learning management system by clicking on the link to NetTutorä in the “Radford University Support” widget.

 

Laptop/Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy: No cell phones, computers, or other electronic devices are to be used in this class when these devices are not being used in a way that is conducive for learning what is being taught in class during a particular day or time. Determining what is conducive will be left up to the instructor's discretion. The instructor retains the right to ask a student to leave class if they exhibit this or any other behavior that is a distraction to learning for other students in the class.

 

Catalog Course Description: Mathematics is studied in its historical and cultural context, as a creative human endeavor. Topics covered include numerical and geometrical ideas and their development, sets, infinity, formal logic, and applications to music and the visual arts.  Will not satisfy requirements for a major in mathematics.  This course has been approved for Core Curriculum credit in Mathematical Sciences.

 

Student Goals and Objectives of the Course: On finishing this course students should (i) be able to answer basic but important questions about the early history and development of mathematics; (ii) be able to apply a few techniques involving numbers and geometry; (iii) be able to symbolize a simple argument and determine whether it is valid; and (iv) know a bit about the mathematical structures in art and music. Students will be able to use the tools of mathematics and quantitative reasoning to conceptualize and solve problems.
Students will be able to:
a.    identify and interpret relationships among numeric, symbolic, and graphical information
b.    generate mathematical models using numeric, symbolic, and graphical information for use in real-world applications
c.    solve problems using numeric, symbolic, and graphical information

 

Disability Policy: Students seeking academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act must register with the Center for Accessibility Services (CAS) to determine eligibility. Students qualified for academic accommodations will receive accommodation letters and should meet with each course professor during office hours, to review and discuss accommodations.  To begin the registration process, complete a Student Registration Form and submit documentation to PO Box 6902, Radford, Virginia 24142, or deliver to the Russell Hall, Room 325, by fax to 540-831-6525, or by email to cas@radford.edu (See documentation guidelines).  For more information, visit the Center for Accessibility Services (CAS) website or call 540-831-6350.

Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. Violations of the University Honor Code include (but are not limited to): lying, stealing and unauthorized possession of property, cheating, multiple submission, and plagiarism. This class will be conducted in strict observation of the honor code. Refer to your Student Handbook for a complete copy of the University Honor Code.