Mathematics for the Liberal Arts

DESCRIPTION:
Designed to give liberal arts students the skills required to understand and interpret quantitative information that they encounter in the news and in their studies, and to make quantitatively-based decisions in their lives. Topics include quantitative information in everyday life, financial management, probability, and statistics.

RATIONALE: 
This course is intended for incoming students. It is designed for liberal arts majors. The course provides students with an appreciation of mathematics in the world around us and prepares them in the use of mathematics in everyday life.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
1. Outline the use and meaning of quantitative information provided by percentages, ratios, proportions, linear equations in one and two variables and quadratic equations.
2. Apply basic consumer mathematics in solving introductory problems of finance.
3. Apply set properties and Venn diagrams to understand and analyze survey data and information.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental probability concepts and their applications to relevant everyday life situations.
5. Develop statistical skills for summarizing and interpreting data using frequency distributions and graphical presentations.
6. Evaluate basic statistical descriptive measures of central tendency and variability of data.
7. Develop students’ critical thinking and writing skills in the interpretation of quantitative information.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
- Class lectures, interactive learning (class discussion, group work), video presentations, and practical problems solved in class.
- Exercises and primary source documents are assigned as formative homework, the solutions of which are reviewed in class.
- Office hours: Students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours of their instructor, where they can ask questions, see their exam paper, and/or go over lecture material.
- Use of the blackboard course website, where instructors post lecture notes, course guidelines, assignment instructions, timely announcements, as well as additional resources.