EASTERN UNIVERSITY

MATH 422: Seminar

Spring 2007

Walter Huddell

Email: whuddell@eastern.edu

Office: McInnis 217, x5530

Office Hours: Tues: 2:30-3:30 Thurs: 10:00-10:45

In addition to these posted hours I am often available at other times. Please do not hesitate to make an appointment with me. I can be contacted best via email or voice mail.

Course Prerequisites: Mathematics major with senior standing, or permission of instructor.

Course Description: This will be an introduction to mathematical philosophy as well as a consideration of the logical foundations of mathematics.

Course Objectives: To understand the philosophical underpinnings of mathematics including the work of Ferge, Cantor, Russel and Hilbert.

Text: Mathematics in a Postmodern Age by Howell and Bradley.

Attendance Policy: Your attendance is absolutely essential to your success in this class. If you know you are going to be absent, please notify the professor. 10% of your course grade depends on class participation and your attendance is critical for the class participation portion.

Policy for Students with Disabilities: If you have any documented special educational needs, you are encouraged to work with the Cushing Center for Counseling and Academic Support to prepare a written request for the accommodations you need in this course. To receive accommodations in this course, the professor must receive a written request from CCAS at the beginning of the course, or as soon as the disability is diagnosed. If you have a documented special educational need, please notify me at the beginning of the semester, or at the time you are first able to document the need, and I will work with you and the academic support center to create appropriate accommodations.

College Policies: All college policies for undergraduate students apply to this class. Please consult the undergraduate catalog or see the professor if you have questions. Academic dishonesty is a serious offense that will seriously jeopardize your grade, since plagiarism or cheating results in a double zero on the assignment in question.

Teaching Methods: This course will be a seminar style that will include discussions and material presented by students. Outside reading and class participation will be essential.

Testing and Grading Procedures: Letter grades will be given using the following breakdown:

97-100 A

93-96 A

90-92 A-

87-89 B+

83-86 B

80-82 B-

77-79 C+

73-76 C

70-72 C-

67-69 D+

63-66 D

60-62 D-

<60 F

Grading will be based on the following percentage scheme:

Class Participating/Attendance: 50%

Papers/Presentations: 50%