MATH 207: History and Philosophy of Mathematics (XM)

Course Description

This course is focused on historic mathematical ideas and on the human and cultural stories behind them. We will learn how mathematicians view their discipline and culture. We will study the creation of beautiful ideas and arguments from the literal geometry (“earth-measurement”) of the Greeks to some of today’s unsolved problems. We will practice mathematics together as an interactive and creative art. If you are a BS student in the arts, humanities, philosophy, or history (or if you like those subjects), this course is for you. Prerequisites: MATH 104, 106, 108 or 110 with a C or better, or placement into MATH 171 or 201, or a grade of C or better in MATH 105, 109, 111, 112, 113, or 114 and a grade of C or better in MATH 103 (or placement into MATH 104, 106, or 108).