Syllabus for Math 497/597 = Phil 497, Philosophy of Mathematics, Fall 2004

Final version (August 17th); but changes are still possible.

Link to calendar. The current version of the calendar contains information about both of the courses I am teaching this term. You should look at it regularly for reading assignments.

• Instructor: Randall Holmes: I am an associate professor in the Mathematics Department.

• Office: Math/Geology 240A.

  Office hours to be announced after the term starts.

• Phone: campus extension 3011; home 345-2899 (do not call my home number after 8:30 pm or between 6 pm Friday and noon Sunday).

• Email: holmes@math.boisestate.edu

  E-mail is the best way to contact me. I read my e-mail constantly (during the working week) and answer promptly.

  Feel free to contact me with questions about this course!

• Internet Home Page: http://math.boisestate.edu/~holmes

  Here is a link to the official version of this syllabus which is maintained on my own web site, which is more likely to have the latest info.

• Virtual Catalog Description ("virtual" because it isn't really in the catalog):

  Math 497/597/Phil 497: Philosophy of Mathematics. Special topics course, 3 credits. Prerequisite Math 187, Phil 201 or permission of instructor. Relations between (Western) philosophy and mathematics in the classical, medieval and modern periods. Developments related to basic concepts such as number, space and infinity traced. 19th and 20th century formalization of mathematics. Current schools of philosophy of mathematics (formalism, intuitionism, platonism). Math content in logic and foundations will be introduced as needed; high school math background needed to follow historical examples in arithmetic, geometry, foundations of calculus.

  The formal course requirements are not very stringent; but the 4xx course number should indicate that this is a course for reasonably advanced mathematics and/or philosophy students.

• Required Text: None. There will be required readings from books or photocopies made available at the library. I may list some books here which it would be a good idea for you to acquire privately.

  You might consider acquiring your own copy of A. W. Moore, The Infinite. This is a very good book (if you are interested in this subject) and can (I believe) be ordered through Amazon.

• Official Status and Mutability of Syllabus: This web document is the official syllabus for the course, taking precedence over any paper copy, and it is subject to change even after the beginning of the semester. I have not taught this course before and I reserve the right to change my mind if I think I've made a mistake...

• Grading: Your grade will be based on
  • Class participation: This will be measured by unannounced quizzes (for which makeups will not normally be possible; one of the purposes is to check attendance) and in other less visible ways (my evaluation of your participation in class discussion). Quizzes may take the form of short-answer quizzes to test knowledge of facts or of short impromptu essays. Essays will be evaluated on intelligent presentation and support of a thesis (and not on whether this thesis agrees with the prejudices of the instructor). A rough estimate of the value of this part of your grade is 20 percent.

    Any additional homework that I may assign during the semester (and there may be some...) will also fall in the class participation category.

  • Essay assignments: Two papers will be assigned, one due about one-third of the way into the semester and one due about two-thirds of the way into the semester. You will be asked to submit a topic for approval to me for each paper. Essays will be evaluated on intelligent presentation and support of a thesis (and not on whether this thesis agrees with the prejudices of the instructor). The expected length is at least four pages. Papers must be typed or printed. A rough estimate of the value of this part of your grade is 30 percent.

  • Exams: There will be two exams during the term on Septembe 23 and October 28); you will have the entire class period to take the exam. There will be a final exam on Tuesday, December 14, 1-3 pm. A rough estimate of the value of this part of your grade is 50 percent: the values of the three exams will be the same, but note that the coverage of the final will be the entire course. Exams will contain essay questions (to which the twice repeated remark above applies) as well as questions testing your knowledge of historical facts about the development of mathematics and/or philosophy and about the mathematical work and/or philosophical opinions of important mathematicians and philosophers.

  • Dates and Makeups: A link is provided above to a course schedule with dates for the exams and due dates for the essay assignments. These dates will be firm. It may be possible to arrange to take an exam late if you contact me in advance (and if you have a good reason); if you do this more than once I will require official documentation of a real emergency. Late work will always be accepted but will always lose some of its value. There will be no makeups at all for unannounced quizzes, as part of their function is to provide evidence of attendance (except as required by university policy for participation in university-approved activities). One or two of the quizzes will be dropped to cover for the inevitable unavoidable absence.

• Miscellaneous Policies: Cell phone use is not permitted in class. Please turn your cell phone off before you enter. If you must be available for a phone call in a regular class session, please warn me in advance and sit near an exit. During an exam, no cell phone or PDA may be visible in the room for any reason. Such machines have communication capabilities which are inappropriate in this context. You may not listen to Walkmans or portable tape or other media players during an exam.

  Cheating on exams or plagiarism on papers will, if detected, be penalized by a grade of zero (0) on the affected exam or paper. A second offense will lead to an F in the course. Students are expected to conform to applicable university codes of conduct.

  I do not need to be informed if you are going to be absent (unless you are going to miss a test, in which case you must inform me in advance to have any chance of a makeup). I am not offended by students arriving late or leaving early as long as this is not disruptive.

• Definition: "Yesterday" is defined as the last class session; "tomorrow" is defined as the next class session.