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Syllabus |
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Journal Writing #1 (Instructions for writing are included in the PDF) |
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Journal Writing #2 (For your second
entry, due by 2/22, I'd like you to comment first on the speakers we've had in class and second on the question: What is mathematics? The PDF at the left contains the preface to the book What is Mathematics? by Courant and Robbins. You can comment on this note or simply take it as food for thought.) |
| Journal Writing #3 - For your third entry, due by 3/1, I'd like you to either comment on undergraduate research opportunities or on the question: What is mathematics? (Last week, I asked you to comment on both, many of you only commented on one of the two! This week, pick the one you didn't talk about and talk about that one. Or, if you did comment on both - address the questions I left you in my personal comments.) | |
| Journal Writing #4 - For your fourth entry, I'd like you to answer the following questions: If math were a color, what color would it be? If math were a food, what food would it be? If math were an animal, what animal would it be? Why? | |
| Journal Writing #5 - I really enjoyed your answers to #4. I'm still laughing about "math is a jackass." For your next entry, I'd like you to comment on a different question. Take a look at our undergraduate math course offerings. If you could request a course on any mathematical topic not currently in our catalog, what would it be? Why? | |
| Journal Writing #6 - This week, I'd like you to take a look back over the speakers we've had for the course thus far and evaluate them. Which ones did you like? Which ones didn't you like? Why? | |
| Journal Writing # 7 - I was struck by two things in Prof. Lazebnik's talk. One was his story about the teacher he had that influenced him tremendously. The other was his comments about what it means to really love mathematics and how one know's when one does. This week, take either or both of those points and comment on them in your journal. I'm especially interested in hearing how they relate to your own life. Have you had a teacher that influenced you in the same way? Do you love mathematics? How do you know? | |
| Journal Writing # 8 - One of your classmates, Peter Ucciferro, has offered to talk to the class about the mathematics of juggling. I think this is a great idea and would like to extend the opportunity to the whole class. So, on 4/26, we'll have a "math show and tell day" in Math 268. This week, for your journal writing, I'd like you to do two things: First, if you'd like to contribute to show and tell, let me know and tell me what you want to talk about. Also, tell me how much time you need. Note, this is voluntary; you don't need to speak if you don't want to. But, I hope you'll look at this as an opportunity to share something you love about mathematics in a stress-free friendly environment. Second, I'd like you to think about all of the speakers you've seen this semester and tell me what questions have been raised in your minds that have not been answered. What information are you still lacking? What would you like to talk about? | |
| Journal Writing # 9 - Easy one this week...take a look back over your journal, especially any comments I have made, and follow up on these comments and/or thoughts your writing inspires. | |
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Journal Writing #10 - Here are questions and
statements I've gleaned from your blog's. Pick one and write about it,
but be prepared to discuss any and all of them on Thursday! -Where is the line between math and science?
Is mathematics a science?
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| Final Journal Writing Assignment - This one is not due until the last day of class. Please simply comment on any thoughts our class discussion may have provoked last week. Also, please share any final thoughts you have about the class, especially any feedback that would make the class more useful for students next year. |