Assignments

1. Warmup assignment, due W, 2/1 (roughly one page). You should read Katz, section 2.2 first. Briefly answer the following questions about the handout from the first class period from Euclid's Elements, Book I, or see here for an online copy). Do your best; there is no single correct answer.
1. What do you think of Euclid's Definitions? Are they definitions in the modern sense of the word? If not, what are they?
2. Similarly, what do you think of Euclid's Postulates? Are they postulates or axioms in the modern sense of the word? If not, what are they? Do they constitute a reasonable system of axioms for plane geometry?
3. Describe in your own words Euclid's method for proving the Pythagorean Theorem.
2. Regular assignment throughout the term, unless stated otherwise:
1. Attend class regularly. Prepare the topic for each class in advance, by doing the reading. Participate in the discussion.
2. It will be your job to lead the discussion twice during the term. On those days, a little extra preparation will be required. Come talk to Dr. Rosenberg if you need help with this.
3. One week after you lead the discussion, you should turn in a 1-2 page written discussion of the paper(s) discussed, incorporating some of the historical background and some of the points discussed in class. Try as best as you can to figure out what the essence of the mathematical argument is, and present it in your own words. This written work will be graded.
3. Final major assignment, due Friday, May 11. You should clear the topic with Dr. Rosenberg by May 1 to allow yourself plenty of time to work on this. This should be a research paper of 10-20 typed pages on the work of a prominent mathematician or group of mathematicians. Try to talk about some of the questions asked on the course web page, and discuss both the historical aspects and the mathematics itself.

Schedule