Math 114
Math & Human Society
- Catalog Entry
MATH 114. Math and Human Society
Three Lecture hours (3).
Prerequisites: None
Core Math for the Social Sciences. Topics covered include logic, argument, and fallacy; scale and magnitude; spherical geometry; statistical reasoning; mathematical modeling for exponential growth and decay, finance, and forecasting; game theory and voting systems; principles of computation. Will not satisfy requirements for a major in mathematics. General Education Credit – Mathematical Sciences.
- Detailed Description of Course
Topics:
1. LOGIC
- Logic of classes
- Sentential logic
- Argument and Fallacy
2. NUMBER SENSE
- Scale and Magnitude
- Scientific Notation
3. GEOMETRY
- Geometry and measurement on a sphere
- Euclidean and non-euclidean perspectives
4. STATISTICS
- Principles of Statistical Reasoning
- How to Lie With Statistics
5. MODELLING
- Graphs, relations, and functions
- Exponential growth and decay
- Finance
- Complexity and forecasting (chaos)
6. GAME THEORY
- Voting theory
- Min-max and zero sum
- Prisoner's Dilemma
- Paradox of the Commons
7. COMPUTATION
- Principles of computing
- Turing machines
- Artificial Intelligence
- Limits of computation
- Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
In addition to lecture/recitation this course will include cooperative/group learning and projects, Socratic (instructor-student) and group (student-student) dialogue, and written responses to material. Course materials will include project material and assessment developed by math department faculty, in coordination with such departments as Media Studies, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, and Communications.
- Student Goals and Objectives of the Course
Intended primarily as a quantitative literacy course for students whose professional interests and pursuits require them to be able to understand and analyze the social and physical world in its many quantitative aspects. Students will acquire knowledge and techniques that permit them to understand and employ mathematical methods for measuring, assessing, modeling, and forecasting. Additionally, students will be able to comprehend quantitative claims and data, and be armored against the intentional or unintentional use of statistics or argument to deceive and distort.
- Assessment Measures
Students will be assessed on their content knowledge of the mathematical topics presented using traditional instruments, including a common multiple-choice final exam. In addition, students will be assessed on their in-class engagement (participation) and on their cooperative work with other students.
- Other Course Information
- Review and Approval Date
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