2024 Spring Course Syllabus - Mathematics 8985.001

Course: Mathematics 8985.001.

Course Title: Teaching in Higher Education - Mathematics.

Credits: 1.

How this course will be taught: In person.

Time: Fridays, 9:30 - 10:20am.

Place: Wachman 617.

Instructor: Maria E. Lorenz.

Instructor Office: Hegg: Wachman 628; Lorenz: Wachman 610.

Instructor Email: maria.lorenz@temple.edu

Instructor Phone: 215-313-6016.

Course Web Page: Please check the course's Canvas site weekly to find your responsibilities

Office Hours: Hegg: MW 1:30 - 2:30pm; Lorenz: TR 3:30--4:30pm and W 9:30--11am.

Prerequisites: None.

Course Materials: Various texts, all provided through Canvas or TU Libraries.

Course Goals: Students will gain enough knowledge and practice to feel comfortable planning and executing lessons that leverage knowledge of how students think and learn to improve outcomes; create a supportive, inclusive classroom environment; and incorporate active learning techniques.

Topics Covered: What we know about how people learn; creating an inclusive learning environment, and active learning techniques. There will also be opportunities for practice and reflection.

Course Grading: Draft of teaching philosophy: 25%. You will write a first draft of this essential component of most academic employment portfolios. Weekly responses to readings: 25%. You will have weekly readings and learning activities that will advance your knowledge and prepare you for class. Attendance and participation in class activities: 25%. Learning from your peers and from the discussions held during class are essential. Microteaching: 25%. This assignment is an opportunity to synthesize what you have learned in class and apply this knowledge to teaching a portion of a lesson with your peers acting as your students.

Exam Dates: None.

Attendance Policy: Attendance is essential. Please make every effort to attend every class as we have only 14 sessions.

Attendance and Your Health: To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to your instructors' requirements. However, if you feel unwell or if you are under quarantine or in isolation because you have been exposed to the virus or tested positive for it, you should not come to campus or attend in-person classes or activities. Students have the responsibility to contact their instructors to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as they are able to do so and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion when illness delays their completion.

Disability Statement: Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability or medical condition should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) in Howard Gittis Student Center South, Rm 420 (drs@temple.edu; 215-204-1280) to request accommodations and learn more about the resources available to you. If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact me as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.

Academic Freedom: 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 (opens in new tab/window).

Add/Drop Policy: Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date. Check the University calendar (opens in new tab/window) for exact dates.

During the Drop/Add period, students may drop a course with no record of the class appearing on their transcript. Students are not financially responsible for any courses dropped during this period. In the following weeks prior to or on the withdrawal date students may withdraw from a course with the grade of "W" appearing on their transcript. After the withdrawal date students may not withdraw from courses. Check the University Calendar (opens in new tab/window) for exact dates. See the full policy by clicking here (opens in new tab/window).

AI Policy: The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) is not permitted in this class unless specifically announced for a particular assignment; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Temple University's Academic Honesty policy and Student Conduct Code, since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in a grade of zero on the assignment; a second offense will be reported to the Student Conduct Board.

Incomplete Policy: The grade "I" (an "incomplete") is only given if students cannot complete the course work due to circumstances beyond their control. It is necessary for the student to have completed the majority of the course work with a passing average and to sign an incomplete contract which clearly states what is left for the student to do and the deadline by which the work must be completed. The incomplete contract must also include a default grade that will be used in case the "I" grade is not resolved by the agreed deadline. See the full policy by clicking here (opens in new tab/window).

Student Support Services: The following academic support services are available to students (all links open in a new tab/window):
    The Math Consulting Center
    Student Success Center
    University Libraries
    Undergraduate Research Support
    Career Center
    Tuttleman Counseling Services
    Disability Resources and Services
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs.