July 24, 2016
Re: Mathematics 101
General Education Committee
To Whom It May Concern:
We respectfully submit for your approval this general syllabus for Mathematics 101,
Math in the Modern World.
In defining this terminal mathematics course it is our primary objective to cultivate in the
students an acceptable level of mathematical proficiency while simultaneously providing
a broad, well-rounded, and reasonably rigorous exposure to mathematics. Additionally
we wish to allow each instructor to design their course around a central theme or themes.
Of course it is expected that although the focus of the course may vary from section to
section, the same set of core mathematical skills will be taught in each and every section.
It is our hope that a more engaging course will result by providing the instructors this
academic freedom and by providing the students with a variety of themes to choose from.
Please note that a precedent exists on this campus for such courses. Each instructor of
English 102 (which, like Mathematics 101, is a component of the Basic Skills
curriculum) and English 301, for example, chooses a theme for each section. The
students are, therefore, free to choose a section with a theme which most closely matches
their personal and career goals.
It is our belief that when the students are free to choose a theme for their mathematics
education then they will become more actively engaged with the mathematics. Students
who are actively engaged in the learning process will not only learn mathematics,
analytical thinking, and logical problem solving techniques more effectively, but (and
perhaps more importantly) will also be more disposed to see and appreciate the beauty
and true nature of this body of knowledge.
Regards,