IN207 - Honors Seminar in Mathematics - Fall 2010
Guide: Dr. James Rauff, Professor of
Mathematics
Office: Shilling Hall 203J
Office phone: 424-6249
Office hours: MW 1-3; TTH 9:45-10:45, 1-2; F 11-12
Textbooks: The
Infinite Book by
John D. Barrow ( Vintage: 2005) ISBN: 978-1-4000-3224-2
Labyrinths by J. L.Borges (New Directions: 2007)
ISBN: 978-0-8112-1699-9
Course description: In this seminar we undertake an exploration of the mathematics of
infinity. Our travels will take us to
the higher mathematical infinities.
Along the way we will encounter parallel universes, mysticism, chaos,
truth, and beauty. Our main guides to
the infinite will be mathematics and the fiction of Jorge Luis Borges. We will
also be assisted by anthropology, art, linguistics, philosophy and
physics.
Requirements: The ideas that you will encounter in this course are
dense, deep, and complex. It is important that you attend carefully to the
reading and writing assignments. It is also important that you attend class and
participate in the discussions.
* You will be given reading assignments for every class period and writing
assignments frequently. Writing
assignments should be typed (double-spaced), but extensive mathematical
notation may be handwritten. Assignments will be posted in Moodle.
The writing assignments may require some contemplation. I recommend that you
look ahead to them and not try to do the whole assignment the night before it
is due.
* You will be expected to contribute to discussions in class. I prefer
spontaneous and engaged discussion, but reserve the right to query individuals
directly.
* You also will prepare a term project on some aspect of infinity (history,
theory, experiment, personality, etc.) This project can be a traditional term
paper, a multimedia presentation, a one-act play, a computer program, a musical
composition, a work of visual art or whatever moves you and is approved by me.
The nature of the project is up to you, but it must include a written
explanation of the aspects or concepts of infinity addressed in the work. All
projects will be presented to the seminar from Dec. 2-9. The presentation
should be about 10 minutes in length. You should discuss your ideas for your
project with me by Oct.12 and be settled upon what you are going to do
by Nov. 2.
Your grade will be based upon the quality of your oral and written work.
Written assignments and class attendance/activities/participation will count
for 70% of your grade and the final project 30%. My grading scale is
unimaginative: 92% is an A, 82% a B, 72% a C, etc. Late written assignments
will be penalized with a 20% per day point deduction. In class activities may not be made up unless
your absence was pre-approved.
Keys to Success: These are obvious, but worth reiterating. Attend class.
Do all the reading and writing assignments promptly. Participate in class
discussions. Ask questions. Ask more questions.
Cell
phones:
Turn off your cell phone during class or set it to vibrate rather than ring.
Violators will be assessed exponentially increasing point deductions for each
offense.
Learning Goals: This course
addresses the following MPSL goals for quantitative reasoning:
(1) use
deductive reasoning in a formal, symbolic, axiomatic system, and
(2) apply the
theorems of the system to solve appropriate problems.
All
students are expected to uphold professional standards for academic honesty and
integrity in their research, writing, and related performances. Academic
honesty is the standard we expect from all students. Read the Student Handbook
for further details about offenses involving academic integrity at: http://www.millikin.edu/handbook/. Staley
Library also hosts a web site on Preventing Plagiarism, which includes the
complete university policy. It is located at: http://www.millikin.edu/staley/services/instruction/Pages/plagiarism-faculty.aspx. Visit and
carefully read the Preventing Plagiarism web site.
The Faculty has the right and the
responsibility to hold students to high ethical standards in conduct and in
works performed, as befits a scholar at the university. Faculty members have
the responsibility to investigate all suspected breaches of academic integrity
that arise in their courses. They will make the determination as to whether the
student violated the Academic Integrity Policy. Should the faculty member
determine that the violation was intentional and egregious, he or she will
decide the consequences, taking into account the severity and circumstances
surrounding the violation, and will inform the student in writing, forwarding a
copy of the letter to the Registrar and to the Dean of Student Development.
This letter will be destroyed when the
student graduates from the University unless a second breach of integrity
occurs, or unless the first instance is of sufficient magnitude to result in
failure of the course, with an attendant XF grade recorded in the transcript.
If an XF is assigned for the course, the faculty letter of explanation becomes
a permanent part of the student’s record. If a second violation occurs
subsequent to the first breach of integrity, the Dean of Student Development
will begin disciplinary and judicial processes of the University, as outlined
in the Student Handbook.
If a student receives an XF for a
course due to academic dishonesty, this remains as a permanent grade and cannot
be removed from the transcript. However, students may repeat the course for
credit toward graduation. Some programs and majors have more explicit ethical
standards, which supersede this Policy, and violation of which may result in
dismissal from some programs or majors within the University. If you have
difficulty with any assignment in this course, please see me rather than
consider academic dishonesty.
Disability Accommodation Policy
Please address any special needs or
special accommodations with me at the beginning of the semester or as soon as
you become aware of your needs. If you are seeking classroom accommodations
under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you should submit your documentation
to the Office of Student Success at Millikin
University, currently located in Staley Library 014.