Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Math in Society is a rigorous mathematics course designed for students in Liberal Arts and Humanities majors.  The course provides a solid foundation in quantitative reasoning, symbolic reasoning, and problem solving techniques needed to be a productive, contributing citizen in the 21st century.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Employ mathematical reasoning skills when reading complex problems requiring quantitative or symbolic analysis and demonstrate versatility in the consideration and selection of solution strategies.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of mathematical symbols, techniques, and computation that contribute to the exploration of applications of mathematics.
3. Use appropriate mathematical structures and processes to make decisions and solve problems in the contexts of logical reasoning, probability, data, statistics, and financial mathematics.
4. Use appropriate representations and language to effectively communicate and interpret quantitative results and mathematical processes orally and in writing.
5. Demonstrate mathematical habits of mind by determining the reasonableness and implications of mathematical methods, solutions, and approximations in context.

All activities will follow the premise that formal definitions and procedures evolve from the investigation of practical problems. It is the goal of this class that the investigation of practical problems will drive a desire to learn the mathematics necessary to understand and explain the practical application.   In-class time is primarily activity/discussion emphasizing problem solving techniques. Activities will include group work.

1. Must include both:
   1. At least one individual or group project culminating in a written report and/or oral presentation
   2. One (or more) individual, proctored, closed-book examination(s) worth at least 25% of the final grade.  
2. Additionally, at least two of the following additional measures:
   1. Examinations and/or quizzes (group or individual)
   2. Projects
   3. Worksheets/graded homework
   4. Online homework
   5. Group or individual activities
   6. Portfolios
3. Optional additional assessment strategies may include, but are not limited to
   1. Individual student conference
   2. Discussions
   3. Participation

COURSE CONTENT:

1. Statistics
   1. Define and identify populations and samples
   2. Define and identify sampling methods and bias
   3. Find and interpret common measures of center and spread
   4. Graph data using technology
   5. Interpret graphical displays of data
   6. Interpret margin of error in the context of polls
   7. Recognize the misuse of data
2. Probability
   1. Define probability and basic terminology
   2. Calculating and interpret basic empirical probabilities
   3. Calculate and interpret basic theoretical probabilities
   4. Calculate and interpret expected value
3. Financial Literacy
   1. Personal budgeting
   2. Simple and compound interest savings
   3. Savings and investment plans
   4. Loans and credit cards
   5. Income tax 
4. Problem Solving and Logical Reasoning
   1. Logic rules in everyday language
   2. Set (Venn) diagrams
   3. Contingency tables
   4. Proportional reasoning
5. Suggested optional topics. May cover up to 25% of class time
   1. Logical Arguments
   2. Fallacies
   3. Correlation and Regression
   4. Normal Models
   5. Voting Methods
   6. Apportionment
   7. Fair Division
   8. Voting Theory
   9. Exponential Growth/Decay Models
   10. Logistic Growth Models
   11. Game Theory
   12. Queuing Theory
   13. Coding/Cryptography
   14. Set Theory
   15. Counting techniques – Combinations, Permutations
   16. Boolean Algebra
   17. Graph Theory
   18. Fractal Geometry
   19. Non-Euclidian Geometry
   20. Tilings
   21. Symmetry and Shapes in Nature
   22. Math in Art
   23. Math in Music
   24. Sequences and Series
   25. Fermi Approximations
   26. Historical Numbers