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Saint Joseph's College

Syllabus

 

Mth 101                                              Quantitative Literacy                                   3 credit hrs.

 

M.W.F. 1 p.m.                                     McHale 300                                        Sem: 112

Instructor:  P.F. Gilbert, C.PP.S.

Office:  McHale 303;  Tel:  6180 Office hours:  M-Th 3 p.m. and by appointment

 

Text; Bennett Jeffrey, Btiggs, William; “Using & Understanding MATHEMATICS A Quantitative Reasoning Approach” 5th edition:  Addison-Wesley publisher

 

Course Description

 

This course covers the basic mathematical and technological tools used to analyze quantitative information through an emphasis on life-skills applications and analysis of current events. Topics include the interpretation of data, computation and estimation, logical reasoning, visual representation of data, statistical reasoning, basic probability, and financial concepts. Throughout the course, quantitative literacy skills will be used to interpret topics such as current events, public policy debates, news reports, personal financial decisions, and health care issues. Prerequisite: Student has met the college's Quantitative Literacy Entrance Requirement.

 

Purpose and Goals

 

This course has three primary goals:

  1. to strengthen and expand a student's quantitative skills

 

  1.  to improve a student's confidence in using these quantitative skills

 

  1.   to encourage a student to see how these skills are connected to the world and how to

apply the skills in decision-making and problem-solving in a student's life and career

           

 

Each topic will be presented through an example that includes the quantitative skill being taught, with an emphasis on how to analyze the issue. Since the course emphasizes applying quantitative skills to daily problem solving, learning mathematical formula for the sake of abstract knowledge has no place in this course.

 

Assignments and Tests:

 

            There will be only three in-class examinations given throughout the semester.  Weekly problem assignments will be made on a regular basis. Several quizzes will also be given throughout the semester.  Three “web-based” assignments will be made

 

Test Dates for the first two exams will be made when appropriate. The third exam will be during the Exam Week:

Grading: 

 

            The student will be graded on the results of the three tests as well as the quizzes, problem, and web-based assignments.  The examinations will count 45% of the semester grade, homework problems 35%, the quizzes 10%, and the Web assignment 10%. 

 

 

Grading scale for all work, including final grade:

 

93-100     90 – 92    87- 89    83 - 86   80-82   77 - 79    73 – 76   70 – 72   67 - 69    60-66   0 - 59

    A             A-           B+           B        B-          C+          C            C-            D+         D       F

 

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Special Needs:

 

            If you are a student with a disability, meet with your director as soon as possible to discuss the accommodations you will need during class activity, and out of class assignments, in order to participate fully and demonstrate your abilities.

 

Plagiarism:

 

            The student is expected to do his/her own work.  Attempted plagiarism will not only be handled by your director, they will be reported to the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Due process will be initiated, if warranted.  See the "Academic Honesty" section of the college catalog, pp 54-55.

 

Class participation, "excused" absences, and late assignments:

 

            We all acknowledge that there are times when attendance at class might be preempted by more pressing duties.  The obligation of participation remains, however, as does the requirement of turning in all assignments on time. 

 

            Active participation is expected when another student is making a presentation to the class.  One or the other can be delayed to a later time if necessary, but this should be a rare occurrence.

 

            The student is to notify the director ahead of time, if possible, of the impending absence.  The director is the judge of the appropriateness of the excuse for the absence.

 

            An assignment turned in late will result in loss of points for the lateness.  An in-class quiz or an examination that is missed may only be made up if the absence was "excused" and unavoidable.  The request to make up a quiz must be made on or before the first day the student returns to class.

 

Course Content and tentative schedule

 

Week

             Selected topics from:

 

1

2

3

 

Ch. 1 (Thinking Critically) and

Ch. 2 (Approaches to Problem

          Solving)

 

 

4

5

6

 

Ch 3. (Numbers in the Real World)

        And Ch. 11 (Math and the Arts)

 

 

7

8

 

 

 

Ch. 4 (Managing Money)

 

9

10

11

12

13

 

 

 

Ch. 5 (Statistical Reasoning),

Ch. 6 (Putting Stats to work) and

Ch. 7 (Probability, Living with the Odds)

 

14

15

 

Ch. 12 (Math and Politics)

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