Description: Students will be introduced to a diverse selection of topics from the three essential areas of mathematics: logic, numbers, and geometry. This will involve lectures about some foundational concepts of fields including propositional logic, set theory, functions, trigonometry, and calculus. This will be supplemented by reading and discussion about the history and motivation behind these disciplines. This course intends to focus on the human side of mathematics rather than necessarily fostering mathematical ability, and so little or no experience with mathematical calculation or derivation is required.” More informally, this course is intended to help you grow in your appreciation for pure mathematics as a human discipline. This begins with understanding that mathematics has much more to offer us than just “solving real world problems.” My hope is to provide you with a gentle encounter with the side of mathematics more oriented to the human mind itself. Special attention has been given to those mathematical subjects that your peers pursuing “STEM” degrees (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) will spend most of their time learning. Furthermore, the subjects have been chosen to provide a firm foundation for understanding most other mathematical topics, including useful applications. Subjects such as finance and statistics may be briefly discussed if there is sufficient interest and time.

Seminary: Mt. Angel Abbey Seminary

Science areas: STEM, history of science