Math 98 Syllabus
Dear Students,
I want to give all of you a very warm welcome and I also want to tell you thank you so much for the effort you are making to be in this class.? I really appreciate you being here and realize that you are making a sacrifice as you fit in your personal life, family life and work life into your schedule at school.
I believe all students can do well in math if they come to class, take great notes and write all steps carefully on problems.? It is very helpful to think of writing a problem just as you write a paper in a writing class or some other class.? Papers are written with a good title, a clear introduction, supporting paragraphs and a sound conclusion.? The format of your paper is important with the correct margins, spacing between lines, footnotes, and bibliography. In math you will be writing the original problem and writing all of the steps in the proper format.? You will find that writing all of the math correctly will give you a solid understanding of math and you will even enjoy it.
I wish all of you great successes and blessings in this class and in all aspects of your lives.? I enjoy teaching at PCC immensely and let me know if I can help you in any way.? Do not hesitate to contact me.? Please review the syllabus and contact me with any questions.
Thank you,
Mr. Diss
971-722-3183
CAMPUS | Portland Community College? ? ? ? www.pcc.edu
Rock Creek Campus 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229 |
COURSE | Math 98 Math Literacy II – (4 credits) |
TERM | Fall 2021:? 28-SEP-2020 through 16-DEC-2020 |
SECTION | 43489 |
TIME/DAYS | 1:00 PM – 3:20 PM on Tuesday and Thursday |
ROOM | RC BLDG-2 Room 248 |
INSTRUCTOR
??????????????????? |
William C. Diss
Math Office: Rock Creek Building 2: Room 210 971-722-3183 (Instructor Phone) 971-722-7696 (Math Office) wdiss@pcc.edu |
ADDITIONAL HELP | I will usually be available right after class.? I am available at other times, so feel free to set up a time. |
REQUIRED?
MATERIALS |
Pathways to Math Literacy 2nd edition (Loose Leaf) with Connect Math Hosted by ALEKS Access Card, Sobecki, Mercer. (If you do not have an active ACCESS code then do not buy a used copy online.)
You can skip buying a book if you just want to use an ebook on Connect Math.? You just need to buy license to use Connect Math.
You DO NOT need to buy the calculator that is shown on the PCC Schedule page. |
COURSE DESCRIPTION &
PREREQUISITES |
Covers formulating and clearly communicating arguments supported by quantitative evidence with emphasis on data analysis. Uses data to collaboratively engage with contextual and open-ended mathematical problems. Emphasizes use of mathematical and statistical reasoning through interpreting information, making conjectures, communicating effectively, and verifying results. Emphasizes an understanding of the role of mathematics and how it affects decision making in life. Uses collaborative learning through in-class group interaction. Uses technology throughout the course. More information can be found at:
? http://www.pcc.edu/ccog/default.cfm?fa=ccog&subject=MTH&course=98 |
COURSE OUTCOMES |
|
DETAILS ON MATH COURSES | /ccog/?fa=course&subject=MTH |
ACADEMIC PROFESSIONALISM | The location of this class is at Portland Community College and it is important that an atmosphere of a professional college environment is maintained.? Complaints, comments or questions that are not related to mathematical content should be made in private to the instructor. |
ATTENDANCE | Your attendance is very important in the class. Repeated absences usually result in lower comprehension of material and lower grades..? More information on attendance is listed below in general college information. |
IMPORTANCE OF MATHEMATICAL NOTATION | It is the philosophy of the Portland Community College Mathematics Subject Area Committee (PCC Math SAC) that it is important for students to learn how to communicate mathematics using standardized notation, as this is part of the educational process.? We believe that when students are able to effectively use mathematical notation to compose meaningful mathematical statements, it is reflective of a deeper understanding of the mathematical concepts being described. Also, an understanding of math concepts and language includes the comprehension of math symbols and implementing their standard usage and format in communicating deductive mathematical reasoning.? …? These standards are intended to help students learn how to communicate mathematics effectively, which we believe will empower students to be successful in current and future coursework. |
STEPS AND FORMATTING OF WORK | The process of working a math problem is very critical.? Math problems are written in a similar way to writing a college paper.? Every line of mathematics is important just as every paragraph, sentence and word is important in a college paper.? College papers have certain formatting requirements for indentation and spacing between lines of text.? Your problems will also be worked with specific formatting requirements.? Please work problems as shown in class and please leave plenty of space between problems.? The entire width of the paper will be used for some problems.? Please put just one problem on a line and do not use multiple columns.
The Course Content and Outcome Guide, for the first class of our sequence has the following important information on steps: The manner in which one presents the steps to a problem is very important. We want all of our students to recognize this fact; thus the instructor needs to emphasize the importance of writing mathematics properly and students need to be held accountable to the standard. When presenting their work, all students in a MTH 60 course should consistently show appropriate steps using correct mathematical notation and appropriate forms of organization. All axes on graphs should include scales and labels.? Examples of correct notation for different courses are shown here: http://www.pcc.edu/programs/math/course-downloads.html On the top left of your paper please put the following heading: First and Last Name Instructor: Mr. Diss Math 98:? <due date> <assignment description> Ex: HW #1 |
TESTS | Tests are critical and count for a great portion of your grade; please take all tests.? If you cannot take a particular test, please see me as soon as possible so that other arrangements can be made. |
GRADING
POLICY |
You will be graded on all you do, including steps, orderly work and clear conclusions.? 90% and above is an A, 80% to 89% is a B, 70% to 79% is a C, 60% to 69% is a D, and below 60% is a F. |
Grade Details
Two Exams | 60% |
Connect Math | 35% |
Technology | 5% |
The rest of this syllabus contains VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION regarding resources and information as a general student of PCC.
- Accessibility and Accommodations:? PCC is committed to ensuring that classes are accessible. ?Disability Services [www.pcc.edu/disability-services/] works with students and faculty to minimize barriers. ?If students elect to use approved academic accommodations, they must provide in advance formal notification from Disability Services to the instructor.
- Title IX/Nondiscrimination:? PCC is committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment based on open communication and mutual respect.? If you believe you have encountered sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at (971) 722-5840 or?equity.inclusion@pcc.edu.
- Student Rights and Responsibilities:? The?Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook?[/about/policy/student-rights/] establishes students’ freedoms and protections as well as expectations of appropriate behavior and ethical academic work.? The Handbook includes items such as the Policy on Student Rights, and the Student Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures.
- Flexibility:? The instructor may revise the class calendar, modify content, and/or substitute assignments in response to institutional, weather, or class situations.
- Sanctuary College:? PCC is a sanctuary college.? For more information and resources, see?www.pcc.edu/resources/undocumented-students/.
- Campus Resources:? PCC offers a variety of resources to help you succeed in your classes and to enhance your college experience (e.g., jobs on campus, child care, student clubs, tutoring, writing centers, Multicultural Centers, Women’s Resource Centers, Veterans Resource Centers, Queer Resource Centers, Dreamers Resource Center, emergency loans, food pantries, advising, counseling).? You can access information about college resources and activities at?www.pcc.edu/student-life/.
- Information about PCC Libraries:? Each PCC campus has a library where students can access a variety of books (including some class textbooks on reserve), journals, videos, and other resources both through PCC’s own collection and through loans from other colleges.? The libraries also loan laptop computers, graphing calculators, and other technology.? The libraries have computers, printers, and scanners for students to use and offer quiet and collaborative areas for studying, including study rooms that students can reserve.? Librarians are available to help students with research – in person or by chat, email, text, or phone.? Visit?www.pcc.edu/library/.
- Food and Housing Insecurity:? If you face challenges affording food or housing, this will naturally affect your classwork.? PCC wants you to be successful and offers some resources that may help: Emergency Funds (www.pcc.edu/enroll/paying-for-college/emergency-funds.html) and food pantries (www.pcc.edu/student-leadership/services/free-resources/).? You can also contact a campus Student Conduct and Retention Coordinator at?conductandcare@pcc.edu.
- Challenges:? If you experience challenges that might prevent you from succeeding in this class, please discuss available options with the instructor.
- Policy on Student Rights?[/about/policy/student-rights/documents/student-rights.pdf]
- Student Code of Conduct?Policy and Procedures?[/about/policy/student-rights/documents/student-rights.pdf]
- Academic Integrity:? Dishonest activities such as cheating on exams and submitting or copying work done by others will result in disciplinary actions including but not limited to receiving a failing grade.? See the?Student Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures?[www.pcc.edu/student-conduct/conduct/student-code-of-conduct-policy-and-procedures/] for further details.
- Children on PCC Properties policy?[/student-conduct/conduct/student-code-of-conduct-policy-and-procedures/]
- Mobile communication devices:? The use of portable communication devices during class is prohibited.? Discuss exceptions with the instructor.? Mobile devices such as cell phones and pagers must be powered down while class is in session.? If you have special circumstances and need to leave your mobile device powered up, you must obtain permission from the instructor.? If there is an emergency situation and you must use a mobile device during class time, please leave the classroom before accepting and/or conducting your call.
- Recording and distribution of class sessions:? Oregon state law and PCC policy permit students to record class sessions.? Any such recording is for personal educational use only and may not be shared publicly.??Sharing of recorded content is a violation of Oregon state law and of the?Student Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures?[/student-conduct/conduct/student-code-of-conduct-policy-and-procedures/].
Students who wish to make an auditory or visual recording of any portion of the class must inform the instructor in advance.? Any such recording is for personal educational use only and may not be shared publicly.??Sharing of recorded content is a violation of Oregon state law and of the?Student Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures?[/student-conduct/conduct/student-code-of-conduct-policy-and-procedures/].
- Mandatory Reporting Requirement:? It is always my goal to keep information you share private but I am required by law to report to our Office of Equity and Inclusion all allegations of dating or domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, abuse of vulnerable populations, and/or credible threats of harm to yourself or others.? If you wish to make a disclosure that can remain confidential, there are staff at PCC who are deemed confidential.? You can find an accurate list here:?/about/equity-inclusion/title-ix/documents/brochure.pdf.
- Listening Intervention Team for Equity (LITE) is a PCC resource for students, faculty, and staff who have experienced inequity or need guidance to navigate challenging dynamics at the college across cultures, races, ethnicities, gender identity or expression, sexual orientations, ability, faiths, and other aspects of identity.? The LITE listener will offer compassion, help you process your experiences, share skill-building techniques and problem-solving strategies, and connect you with other existing support resources.? To talk to a LITE listener about experiences of inequity you have experienced at PCC, visit?www.pcc.edu/lite?and click on “Make an appointment with a LITE listener” or contact a listener directly.
- Adding, Dropping and Grading:? The college has very tight deadlines for auditing, dropping, or withdrawing from a course.? For example, during most terms the paperwork to audit a course must be signed and submitted by the end of the first week of the term.? Similarly, to receive a refund for a class a drop must be completed the first week of the term.? These time frames are even shorter for some summer term courses.? Watch your email.? In all cases, it is 100% the student’s responsibility to process the change in registration status by the due date and time.??
- Adding and Dropping: ? www.pcc.edu/enroll/registration/dropping.html
- Grading Options: www.pcc.edu/registration/grading-policy/
- Grading Guidelines: www.pcc.edu/resources/student-records/grading/
- Attendance:? /enroll/registration/attendance.html
Important Dates for Portland Community College: See PCC – Calendar ?
Note: Any of the items on this syllabus or calendar may be changed in response to a variety of situations. Any changes will be announced via e-mail.