Time: MWF 9:00-9:50
Location: KAP-147
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2:00-2:50, or by appointment. Please email professor Emerson if you want to join office hours via Zoom.
Textbook: A History of Mathematics (Brief Ed.) by Victor Katz [ISBN: 978-0321161932].
Grades: Students will be graded on weekly homework assignments, three projects, four group presentations participation, and a final project.
Homework (12.5%): Most weeks there will be a problem set due on Friday. Additionally, some problems will be written up in detail and there will be 4 meme assignments.
Group Presentations (15%): Group Presentations will be given in class on Friday, January 16, February 16 and March 22. Each student will receive an individual grade and a group grade.
Projects (35%): Projects will be due Friday, February 2, February 21, and April 5. All projects will include and essay and a video
Participation (10%): Students will be graded on the quality and frequency of their participation in class. Participation is not attendance, students will not receive participation credit merely for attending class, nor will they be penalized for non-attendance.
Final Project (27.5%): The Final Project is due Friday, May 6. Each student will briefly present on their final paper during the final time from 8–10 AM in class.
Behavior: Students must strive to create a friendly academic atmosphere in the classroom. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Since making mistakes is a normal part of the mathematical learning process, students are not permitted to make disparaging or hostile comments at any time.
Goals: Students will acquire an overview of the History of Mathematics. Students will make historical arguments based on mathematical evidence.
Behavior: Students must strive to create a friendly academic atmosphere in the classroom. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Since making mistakes is a normal part of the mathematical learning process, students are not permitted to make disparaging or hostile comments at any time. The use of cell phones during class or discussion is disruptive behavior and will not be tolerated.
Health Policy: All students must abide by the current USC in-class health policy. In particular, medical-grade masks must properly be worn in class at all times. Failure to do so may result in removal from the class and referral to Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards.
Academic Integrity: Students will abide by the USC academic integrity policies at all times. In particular, plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Failure to abide by this policy will result in a score of 0 on that section of the class grade, and referral to the Dean of Students.
Recording Notice. All lectures and office hours may be recorded at the discretion of the instructor. These recording will be made available to the class through Blackboard.
Sharing of course materials outside of the learning environment. Distribution or use of notes or recordings based on university classes or lectures without the express permission of the instructor for purposes other than individual or group study is a violation of the USC Student Conduct Code. This includes, but is not limited to, providing materials for distribution by services publishing class notes. This restriction on unauthorized use also applies to all information, which had been distributed to students or in any way had been displayed for use in relationship to the class, whether obtained in class, via email, on the Internet or via any other media.
Zoom Etiquette.
Before each class or discussion log into your USC Blackboard account. If you are not logged in, your entry into the meeting may be delayed. If you are in the Zoom Waiting Room, please open Chat. The meeting moderator may not check email during a meeting, so chat is the best way to communicate if there is an issue with joining the meeting.
During class you should be muted at all times unless you have been called on. If you have a question, use the raise hand function (under the Participants tab) and wait to be called on before speaking. When your microphone is not muted, be mindful of background noise; avoid activities that could create additional noise, such as shuffling papers.
You are encouraged to participate in class. You can use that Chat feature to ask questions or make comments. Please consider whether your question or comment is appropriate for the entire class or should be sent privately to the moderator. You may be asked to respond in various ways: there are buttons for thumbs up/down, yes/no, go faster/slower. Offensive chat will not be tolerated.
Dring most classes/discussion, you may turn your video on or off as desired. If your video is on, please be sure your attired and any background you may use is appropriate for an academic setting. All students must turn on video during exams.
Breakout Rooms. We will work in small groups on Zoom in breakout rooms. The etiquette for breakout rooms is slightly different. You should be unmuted in a breakout room, so you can participate in the conversation. Students are encouraged, but not required, to tun on video in breakout rooms. In a breakout room, you should only chat with other students in that room or the moderator.
Zoom Profile. You can choose your screen name and upload a profile picture in your Zoom Profile. Appropriate screen names include your full name, first name or nickname and last initial, first name or nickname. Avoid using your full email address. For example, Thomas Trojan, Tommy Trojan, Tommy T, Tommy.
Statement on Academic Conduct and Support Systems
Academic Conduct:
Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Part B, Section 11, “Behavior Violating University Standards” policy.usc.edu/scampus-part-b. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct, policy.usc.edu/scientific-misconduct.
Support Systems:
Counseling and Mental Health – (213) 740-9355 – 24/7 on call
studenthealth.usc.edu/counseling
Free and confidential mental health treatment for students, including short-term psychotherapy, group counseling, stress fitness workshops, and crisis intervention.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1 (800) 273-8255 – 24/7 on call
Free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Services (RSVP) – (213) 740-9355(WELL), press “0” after hours – 24/7 on call
studenthealth.usc.edu/sexual-assault
Free and confidential therapy services, workshops, and training for situations related to gender-based harm.
Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) – (213) 740-5086 | Title IX – (213) 821-8298
equity.usc.edu, titleix.usc.edu
Information about how to get help or help someone affected by harassment or discrimination, rights of protected classes, reporting options, and additional resources for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and applicants.
Reporting Incidents of Bias or Harassment – (213) 740-5086 or (213) 821-8298
usc-advocate.symplicity.com/care_report
Avenue to report incidents of bias, hate crimes, and microaggressions to the Office of Equity and Diversity |Title IX for appropriate investigation, supportive measures, and response.
Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) – (213) 740-0776
Support and accommodations for students with disabilities. Services include assistance in providing readers/notetakers/interpreters, special accommodations for test taking needs, assistance with architectural barriers, assistive technology, and support for individual needs.
USC Campus Support and Intervention – (213) 821-4710
Assists students and families in resolving complex personal, financial, and academic issues adversely affecting their success as a student.
Diversity at USC – (213) 740-2101
Information on events, programs and training, the Provost’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, Diversity Liaisons for each academic school, chronology, participation, and various resources for students.
USC Emergency – UPC: (213) 740-4321, HSC: (323) 442-1000 – 24/7 on call
dps.usc.edu, emergency.usc.edu
Emergency assistance and avenue to report a crime. Latest updates regarding safety, including ways in which instruction will be continued if an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible.
USC Department of Public Safety – UPC: (213) 740-6000, HSC: (323) 442-120 – 24/7 on call
Non-emergency assistance or information.