This schedule will be periodically updated as we go along. It is subject to change, so DO NOT download a hard copy! Check it frequently. For the syllabus, click here.
Wed 8/29 (1) Introductions (2) Results of survey (3) Discuss reasons for studying math (4) Go over syllabus (5) Discuss goals for course (6) Discuss “What is a Number?” (7) Handout: Godfather1
HW for 9/5: (1) Complete Survey 1 if not done so already. (2) Read Godfather1 and be prepared to discuss
Wed 9/5: (1) Discuss Godfather1 (2) Watch short video on Big Bang of Numbers (3) Discuss sets, abstraction, and the cat and dog problem
HW for 9/10: No HW.
Mon 9/10: (1) Discuss Chapters 3 and 4 of Godfather (2) Writing exercise
HW for 9/12: Read at least Chapters 5-8 from Godfather2
Wed 9/12: (1) More on Sets http://www.opentextbookstore.com/mathinsociety/2.5/Sets.pdf (2) Discuss Chapters 5- 8 of Godfather
HW for 9/17: (1) Read Chapters 9-10 of Godfather2 (2) Complete survey S2 on Blackboard (3) Do problem on sets (Problem (b) about chess, scrabble and carrom, in the handout given out in class).
Mon 9/17: (1) Discuss Chapters 9-10 of Godfather (2) Watch video “Bitter Tears” if there is time.
HW for 9/19: (1) Read up to page 60 of Godfather3 (you can download this from Blackboard, the password is MATH3gf! (2) Hand in problem on sets (Problem (b) about chess, scrabble and carrom, in the handout given out in class). (3) Submit a short proposal for essay on numbers.
Wed 9/19: (1) Finish discussion of Godfather up to page 60 (2) Discuss proposals
HW for 9/24: (1) Read rest of Godfather3 (you can download this from Blackboard, the password is MATH3gf! (2) (Optional) Read essay on Pi Day: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/14/opinion/manil-suri-on-pi-day-celebrate-maths-enigmas.html (3) Read script for videos (look under “course materials” and click on “Lecture 7 materials”. The file is treatment.docx.)
Mon 9/24: (1) Finish discussion of Godfather3 (2) Discuss proposals (3) Discuss treatment.docx
HW for 9/26: (1) Watch videos by Vi Hart (the one whose name I couldn’t remember in class): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahXIMUkSXX0 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG7vhMMXagQ (the second video involves i towards the end)
Wed 9/26: (1) Finish discussion of Godfather3 (2) Discuss essay points. Short guide https://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/essay-tips-7-tips-on-writing-an-effective-essay (3) Discuss imaginary and complex numbers (watch video) (4) What is needed for Geometry?
HW for 10/1: (1) Read Godfather4 up to page 89 (Part II, chapters 1-4).
Mon 10/1: (1) Discussion of Godfather4, Part II, chapters 1-4 (2) Discuss Euclid’s definitions (3) questions related to essays
HW for 10/3: (1) Draft of Essay due on BBd. Bring 1 paper copy to class. (2) Read remainder of Godfather4.
Wed 10/3: (1) Peer review of essays. (2) Discuss Godfather4.
HW for 10/8: (1) Submit revised draft of essay on Bbd. Bring 1 paper copy to class. Also submit peer review sheet and old version of essay. (2) Read report in Wash Post on climate change. (3) Read second report in Wash Post on climate change.
Mon 10/8: (1) Discussion of math and climate change (2) More on Godfather4
HW for 10/10: (1) Read Godfather5 (password is a little different: MATHgf5! ) (2) Complete survey S3 on Bbd (only AFTER you have done the reading)
Wed 10/10: (1) Essay returned.(2) Godfather5 discussed.
HW for 10/15: (1) Read Godfather6 (password is a little different: MATHgf6! )
Mon 10/15: (1) Godfather6 discussed.(2) Results of survey
HW for 10/17: (1) Final version of essay due (2) DON’T read Godfather7 yet.
Wed 10/17: (1) Wrap up discussion of Godfather6 (2) Fibonacci numbers (3) Possible writing assignment
HW for 10/22: (1) Read Godfather7 (password is: MATHgf7! ) (2) Try the rabbit population HW shown under course materials. Ask me questions in class (final HW due on Wed 10/24).
Mon 10/22: (1) Godfather7 discussed (2) Essay returned (3) Rabbit HW discussed if there are questions.
HW for 10/24: (1) Rabbit HW due (2) Read Godfather8 (password is GODFATHER8!)
Wed 10/24: (1) Discuss Godfather8
HW for 10/29: (1) Rabbit HW due for those who did not turn it in. (2) Read Godfather8 if you haven’t done so. (3) Read Godfather9 (password is: GODFATHER9! ) by 10/31
Mon 10/29: (1) Godfather8 discussed (since we didn’t get to it the last time).
HW for 10/31: (1) Read Godfather9
Wed 10/31: (1) Godfather9 discussed.
HW for 11/5: (1) Read Godfather10 (password is: Fractals1 )
Mon 11/5: (1) Godfather10 discussed
HW for 11/7: No HW
Wed 11/7: Part I of slide show on fractals.
Fri 11/9: Trip to National Cryptological Museum. Leave from Admin Circle at 12:05. Return around 3 hours later.
HW for 11/12: (1) Read Godfather11 (password Fractals2). Also read Godfather12 (passwd Physics1A) which we will discuss on 11/13.
Mon 11/12: (1) Rest of slide show on fractals
HW for 11/14: (1) Read Godfather11 if you haven’t already
Wed 11/14: (1) Godfather11 discussed. (2) Explanation of HW on quadratic iterations
HW for 11/19: (1) Read Godfather12
Mon 11/19: (1) Godfather12 discussed. (2) Ideas for project discussed
Wed 11/21: No class, have a happy Thanksgiving!
HW for 11/26: (1) Read Godfather13 (try to read Godfather14 as well) (2) HW on quadratic iterations due (3) Proposal for project due
Mon 11/26: (1) Godfather12 discussion completed, Godfather13 discussion started (2) Proposals for project discussed
HW for 11/28: (1) Read Godfather14 if you haven’t already
Wed 11/28: NOTE: Class will start late, at 1:30 pm. (1) Godfather14 discussed
HW for 12/3: (1) Project proposal due
Mon 12/3: Discussion of Godfather book.
HW for 12/5: Prepare project presentations
Wed 12/5: project presentations, wave-particle duality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4_0obIwQ_U Schrodinger’s Cat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOYyCHGWJq4
HW for 12/10: Prepare project presentations, survey on math attitudes: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mJ6y2IjVlwY00YtcuqQGQtBmYLp2AwhyUQO7XX45yoE/edit Survey on book: Bbd
Mon 12/10: LAST CLASS: project presentations, projects due.