Writing assignments
Essay 1: a mathematical autobiography. Due 9/17.
I want to get to know you as a person and as a student of mathematics. I also want you to spend some time reflecting on your mathematical journey so far. In 2-4 pages, write your mathematical autobiography. This is a story of who you are as a mathematician and as a student of mathematics. Relate the events and experiences (good and bad) that have shaped your mathematical development, not just in the classroom. Try to be as specific as you can. What has influenced how you view mathematics today?
Your autobiography does not need to be comprehensive; it should not contain every single detail that you can remember about your math education. Instead, focus on people and events that have had significant impacts on you. While the main focus should be on your college experiences, please feel free to include relevant earlier experiences.
Below are some questions to help guide your reflection. You do not need to try to answer all questions, only those that resonate with you. I would rather see you go more in depth on fewer questions than give cursory responses to more questions. You do not need to answer the questions in order or break out your answers by question; rather, give a coherent essay that shows that you have spent some time reflecting and editing.
As always, spelling, grammar, and style matter (not just to me, but to the world at large--writing well is important). Save your assignment as a PDF before submitting.
A reading of an example of a mathematical autobiography is due September 7, when we'll spend 10 minutes discussion the readings in class. Choose one of the following:
Discussion questions:
- What, generally, is the story told? (Synthesize/summarize the reading).
- What is the background of the author? How does that background show up in the reading?
- What branch of math does the author work in? How does that show up in the reading?
Guiding questions for essay 1:
Remember that you are writing an essay and no just a list of answers to these questions. These questions are meant to help you get started; you do not need to answer all of them.
- What math classes stand out in your memory and why?
- Which math courses have you liked/disliked? Why did you like/dislike them?
- Who encouraged you in math? What did they do?
- How do you feel about math? Has this evolved over time at all?
- How would you describe your relationship with mathematics?
- What factors have contributed to your success or non-success in math?
- How have you used math in a non-academic setting (outside of school)?
- Have you ever had to overcome any difficulties in math?
- What is mathematics to you? How would you define mathematics to someone who doesn't know much about it?
- Do you learn math best from reading, listening, writing, or doing?
- When doing math, do you prefer to work alone or in groups?
- What do you do when you get "stuck" on a math problem? Do you ask for help? From whom?
Essay 2: reflections/connections. Due 12/14.
In the first essay, you told your story as a mathematician and as a student of mathematics, relaying the experiences that shaped your mathematical development and attitude towards mathematics. In this essay, you'll explore connections that you have observed between mathematics and other courses and experiences. You will also speculate about your future, including what role mathematics might play in your future.
Below are some questions to help guide you; you need not try to answer all questions, only those that resonate with you. You do not need to answer the questions in order or break out your answers by question; rather, give a coherent essay of approximately 4 pages that shows that you have spent some time reflecting and editing.
As always, spelling, grammar, and style matter (not just to me, but to the world at large--writing well is important). Save your assignment as a PDF before submitting.
A reading of an example of a reflections/connections essay is due November 30, when we'll spend 10 minutes discussing the reading in class. Read one of the following:
Discussion questions:
- What, generally, is the point being made in the reflection? (Synthesize/summarize the reading).
- What is the background of the author? How does that background inform the reflection?
- What branch of math does the author work in? How does that inform the reflection?
Guiding questions for essay 2:
- What connections, if any, have you observed between your math courses? (This can be regarding material, ideas, approaches, or anything else you find interesting).
- If you have done undergraduate research and/or an internship, what connections have you seen between that work and the math courses that you have taken?
- How have you seen math used (or taught) in courses from other disciplines?
- In what ways have you used math or seen math used outside of school?
- In what ways, if any, have you served in a leadership role related to mathematics?
- What, if any, connections have you seen (or explored) between mathematics and social justice?
- What are your educational and life goals?
- What role do you see mathematics playing in your life in the future?
- Have you used your mathematical background to serve others in any way (e.g., tutoring, helping run a math club, speaking at career days, judging science fairs)? Do think you will the future?
- Are there any areas of mathematics that you hope to explore further, learn about for the first time, or strive to improve in?
- Are there any mathematical questions that you still hope to explore in the future?
- How might you use your mathematical background to help solve some of the challenges facing humanity and our society (e.g. structural racism, financial inequity, climate change)?
Midterm self-assessment. Due 10/22.
Your grade for the class will be based on a holistic appraisal of your progress towards proficiency in the Math Major Learning Outcomes (below). Progress towards the outcomes will show up in different parts of the class, usually with lots of overlap. For example, correcting another student's presentation might involve Critically Analyze (spotting the mistake), Communicate Mathematically (explaining the mistake), and Mechanical and Computational Skills (fixing the mistake).
Math Major Learning Outcomes:
- Critically Analyze: students should be able to determine the validity of a mathematical argument and suggest improvements to that argument.
- Communicate Mathematically: students should be able to communicate mathematical ideas precisely and clearly through written, oral, visual, and/or symbolic forms of expression.
- Abstraction: students should appreciate mathematics in its own right and as a tool for abstraction. They should be able to solve problems using the abstract language and tools of mathematics.
- Mechanical and Computational Skills: students should demonstrate mechanical and computational proficiency in problem-solving using mathematical tools and processes.
For the midterm self-assessment, write 1-2 pages in which you give an honest appraisal of your proficiency in each of the 4 learning outcomes. For each outcome, identify ways in which you are succeeding and ways in which you would like to improve. If possible, identify concrete strategies for making those improvements. Your final grade will be based on your progress towards these goals. Conclude your midterm self-assessment with a proposal for a midterm grade (as justified by the rest of the document).
Submit your midterm self-assessment by the end of the day Friday 10/22 (by email). I will review and return with comments and a deadline for resubmission, if needed.
Final self-assessment. Due 12/16-17.
Revisit your midterm self-assessment and discuss any changes you have made over the course of the semester. Were you able to improve in the areas you wanted? What was harder/easier than you expected? Did your midterm self-assessment turn out to be wrong in some ways? What grade do you think you deserve for the course and why?
This is a completion assignment. Submit it before your meeting with Dr. Axon on 12/16 or 12/17 (to be scheduled).
Links and Resources
- Geogebra
- Desmos
- CoCalc
- WolframAlpha
- 2017 edition of the class
- 2014 edition of the class
- Presentation rubric (.tex)
- Schedule
- Syllabus
Office hours (in person by default, virtual by request)
- Monday 11-12
- Tuesday 9-10 in the Math Learning Center and 12:40-1:40
- Wednesday 11-12
Friday 11-12- Or by appointment
Logan Axon
Department of Mathematics
MSC 2615
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA 99258
Office: Herak 307A
Phone: 509.313.3897
Email: axon@gonzaga.edu
Last updated 10/19/2021