Spring 2011 Course Syllabus

Course: Mathematics 1015.1.
Course Title: Introduction to Numbers and Figures.
Time: MWF 2:40-3:50 pm.
Place: BA 140 S.
Instructor: Crotty, Edward T.
Instructor Office: Wachman 538.
Instructor Email:
Instructor Phone: 215-204-6756.
Office Hours: MW 11:00-12:00.
Prerequisites: Mathematics Placement, a grade of C- in Math 0701 (0045), or transfer credit for Math 0701 (0045).
Textbook: Beckmann, Sybilla "Mathematics for Elementary Teachers" 3rd Ed. (c)2011-Pearson The text is bundled with an Activity Manual that is to be brought to every class. Many of the activities in the manual form the basis for much of the class discussion.
Course Goals: This is a course intended for Elementary Education majors. Its objective is to familiarize students with basic arithmetic and geometric ideas that they will need to know and to be able to explain mathematical concepts and procedures to their students if they become elementary school teachers. While these concepts are somewhat familiar to all of us, they are far from trivial or well understood by the general public. For example, very few people know the rigorous definition of the real numbers, and quite a few have trouble with negative numbers and fractions (also non-trivial concepts; one of the topics covered in upper level modern algebra courses is the field of fractions). The geometry of motion and change is one of the foundational topics of modern geometry. Overall this is a quite modern and surprisingly sophisticated set of topics. We will be primarily interested in the WHY of things--the algorithmic methods for calculation will receive much less, if any, emphasis and then only when discussion of the "how" follows naturally from the discussion of why.
Topics Covered: A detailed list of topics will be provided during the initial lecture and be posted on the class Blackboard site. The course syllabus will be altered and updated as necessary to satisfy the needs of the class.
Course Grading: The grading policy is composed of two parts: Test Weights and Letter Grade Conversion. Test Weight: Chapter Tests (50% total weight); 35% Final Exam; 15% Quizzes,attendance, homework, attitude, etc. Letter Grades will be assigned as follows: 85-100 A; ; 75-84 B; 68-74 C; 55-64 D; 0-54 F; +/- grades may be given to students near a grade boundary as appropriate.
Exam Dates: Exams dates will be announced by the instructor, depending upon the progress in class. A syllabus for each exam (chapters/topics covered) will be posted at least one week prior to the test date. The final exam date is specified by the University Final Exam Schedule that appears on the university website.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is mandatory. Four or more unexcused absences may result in a failing grade or at least a loss of one letter grade. Every absence requires a notification to the instructor who reserves the right to request appropriate documentation for absences. Some absences, such as illness or death in family, are excused if documentation (with a contact phone number) is provided on request of the instructor. If there is another reason for absence, the situation will be evaluated by the instructor on a case-by-case basis. Periodic attendance quizzes will be given.
Text availability: Unlike the fall '10 semester, the text should be available in the bookstore at the start of the semester. Be sure to buy the package with the Activity Manual included.
Alternate Office "hours": by appointment; or whenever you can find me and I have a few minutes free.

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at (215) 204-1280, 100 Ritter Annex, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here.

Students will be charged for a course unless a withdrawal form is processed by a registration office of the University by the Drop/Add deadline date given below. For this semester, the crucial dates are as follows:

• The first day of classes is Tuesday, January 18.
• The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, January 31.
• Spring recess is the week of Sunday, March 6.
• The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Monday, March 28.
• The last day of classes is Monday, May 2.

During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester or summer sessions, students may withdraw from a course with no record of the class appearing on the transcript. In weeks three through nine of the fall or spring semester, or during weeks three and four of summer sessions, the student may withdraw with the advisor's permission. The course will be recorded on the transcript with the instructor's notation of "W," indicating that the student withdrew. After week nine of the fall or spring semester, or week four of summer sessions, students may not withdraw from courses. No student may withdraw from more than five courses during the duration of his/her studies to earn a bachelor's degree. A student may not withdraw from the same course more than once. Students who miss the final exam and do not make alternative arrangements before the grades are turned in will be graded F.

The grade I (an "incomplete") is reserved for extreme circumstances. It is necessary to have completed almost all of the course with a passing average and to file an incomplete contract specifying what is left for you to do. To be eligible for an I grade you need a good reason and you should have missed not more than 25% of the first nine weeks of classes. If approved by the Mathematics Department chair and the CST Dean's office, the incomplete contract must include a default grade that will be used in case the I grade is not resolved within 12 months.