Southeast Missouri State University,Fall 2011(Retain this syllabus and policy sheet for your information.)
Course: UI 100-17, First Year Seminar: The Mathematics of Art
UI 100 is required of all students entering the University with less than 23 or fewer credits andfulfills 3 credits toward the University Studies graduation requirement. The seminar introduces students to the University Studies program and the value of a liberal education while addressing the interdisciplinary theme of mathematics of art. There are no prerequisites to this course.
Instructor: Ms. Laurie Wern OvermannMain Campus Office: B. F. Johnson Hall, Room 102
Phone Contact: (573)651-2826 (Office)Mathematics Department Office: 651-2164
E-mail: Web Address:
Office Hours: Office hours will be held from 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. MW and 2:00 – 3:50 p.m. TR. If I am not in my office JH102, check in the Math Learning Center or Lab, JH104 or JH112. Also, feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail. Each of the phone numbers above has message capability. Be sure to leave your name and phone number and I will return your call as soon as I possibly can. I do my best to respond to pertinent phone messages and e-mails in a timely manner. I respond best to telephone and e-mail messages submitted in standard English.
Purposes/Goals/Objectives of the UI100 Course:
1. To introduce students to the concept and value of a liberal education.
2. To introduce students to the University Studies Program goals and structure by exploring the nine University Studies objectives and their relationship to a liberal education.
3. To develop skills in locating and gathering information by:
a. obtaining academic information from books, journals, the internet, and other sources;
b. identifying and locating University resources, including people, offices, and programs.
4. To develop critical thinking skills by learning to present arguments with supportive statements and by critically examining the arguments of others.
5. To develop skills in written and oral communication by
a. active participation in small and large group discussions;
b. making several informal and a formal oral presentations to the class;
c. writing a series of informal and formal papers on topics related to course;
d. interacting with guest speakers on topics related to the course.
6. To connect academic and career planning by
a. timely completion of the FOCUS assessment in which career paths can be considered based on a profile
of anindividual’s talents, abilities, and interests (Note: Successful completion of this objective constitutescredit for the UI100 co-requisite CL001);
b. individual development of a four year plan of studies for a major of choice.
Theme Rational: Students will explore the influence of mathematics on art, how the mathematics of different cultures influenced the art of that culture, how some art has been inspired by mathematical advances, and how certain art is better appreciated when the mathematics behind it is better understood. Modern art forms generated by computer graphics or inspired by theoretical mathematics will be explored. Students will be encouraged to examine their own ideas about what is “mathematics” and what is “art”.
Textbooks:
1. UI100 Advisory Committee. (2010). First Year Seminar for the Students of Southeast Missouri State University (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing.Do not write in this text unless you purchase it from the bookstore.
2. Other readings to be distributed by the instructor or located by the student.
3. Southeast’s University Bulletin 2011 – 2012, and Southeast’sUniversity Studies Handbook 2011 - 2012
This course is “web-assisted.” Information about this section, this syllabus, and other course materials can be found by logging onto the course website from students’ My Courses tab on the University student portal or by clicking on the link from my website . From the site, students can access the course DropBox, GradeA, Forum, and other web-based utilities during the semester.
Expectations of Students: Students are expected to attend class, participate in classroom activities, and perform well on examinations and other assessments.
Course Outline:
Part I: Liberal Education, Career Planning, University Studies, and YOU as a modern college student
a. Introduce students to the concept and value of a liberal education
b. Introduce students to the University Studies Program goals and structure
c. Develop student Skills in the first three University Studies Objectives.
Fall 2011 UI 100-17, First Year Seminar: The Mathematics of Art
Course Outline (continued):
Part II: Locating Information, Thinking Critically and Effectively Communicating about “The Mathematics of Art”.
a. Apply the first three University Studies Objectives to exploring the topic of “The Mathematics of Art”.
Student Evaluation:Semester grading scale: 90 – 100% = A, 80 – 89.9% = B, 70 – 79.9% = C, 60 – 69.9% = D.Your grade information can be accessed throughout the semester at my website
Students will be graded on:
a. Class Participation: You will be evaluated on attendance, posting to the electronic forum, completion of all assignments (including informal writings and completion of FOCUS assessment), and participation in classroom discussions and activities. Note that some in-class activities and points cannot be made up.
b. Informal papers (3-6)
c. Group Projects: We will do several group activities during the semester.
d. Examinations: You will have a midterm exam over liberal education and the University Studies program. The final exam will have a comprehensive component requiring critical thinking about information presented in class and in our textbook.
e. Formal papers: You will be required to research and write 3 formal papers. These papers will be from2 – 5 pages in length and must have a list of cited works.
f. Oral presentations: You will be required to do several informal oral presentations and at least one formal presentation during the semester.
g. Tentative Service Activity: “Canstruction”
Additional Policies:
Attendance: This is a seminar course and much of the value of this class is in participating in the discussions. Students will be expected to attend class, to participate in classroom activities, to do assigned homework and to pass tests when administered. Students who know in advance that they will be absent should arrange to get assignments and schedule any necessary make-ups. Some activities and associated points cannot be made up. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with class assignments and exams.The official statement about attendance may be accessed at
Academic Honesty: Students are expected to be familiar with the University’s policy regarding plagiarism and cheating. The official statement about academic honesty, including plagiarism, may be accessed at additional information can be accessed at
Students are encouraged to work together to study and do projects for this course, but it is expected that each student turn in work that represents his/her own efforts. Specifically, do not turn in work copied from another student’s paper or work done by a tutor or other person, written assignments copied from another student, website, or a resource book. Do not use unauthorized references during an exam or copy work from another student’s paper during an exam. A violation of the academic honesty policy has serious consequences and may result in dismissal from the University.
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Class Civility:A major determinant of a successful educational experience is a shared sense of respect among and between students and their instructor. In our classroom of mutual respect will be maintained at all times, both in word and deed. To minimize disruption to your fellow classmates, please remember not to leave the classroom until class is dismissed, not to carry on personal conversations unrelated to the topic at hand, and turn off cell phones.
If you have a situation that might require having the cell phone on during class, please set the phone to vibrate and be prepared to answer the phone OUTSIDE the classroom. Abuse of this policy could result in loss of participation points for the class. The office of judicial affairs is responsible for addressing these matters; information is available at
Classroom Diversity: Diversity in all its forms is valued on this campus and merits respect. Students with needs of any kind should inform their instructors and know that there are policies that apply and services available to them. Students may obtain information from the Learning Assistant and Disability Support Services office, UC 302, 651-2763 and online at
Important Dates: The last day to withdraw from this class without being assigned a letter gradeis Friday, October 28, 2011. Our final exam will be held in our regularly scheduled classroom on Thursday, December 15, 2011, 8:00 – 9:50 a.m.
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