The Study of Space and Numbers: Origins, Methods, and Inclinations
SBU 102.154 - Spring 2025
Meeting Time: Monday, 11:00AM-12:20PM
Meeting Pattern: 1 hour 20 minutes / week for 10 weeks (January 27 to April 11)
Meeting Place: Roth, Room 103
We do not exist
Course Description
How and when did humans start counting? What does “counting” really mean, and can other creatures count too? Is it possible to count without numbers? Similarly, when and why did humans begin thinking about shapes like lines, squares, and cubes, and measuring their length, area, and volume? What do all these concepts really signify? What is the relation between numbers and shapes? In this seminar, we will explore these fundamental questions and their history, investigating how we know what we know (spoiler alert: not much), and use these ancient methods to better understand our own ideas of numbers and space.
Course Goals
- Improving critical thinking by developing evaluative, problem-solving, and expressive skills
- Enhancing group communication skills through discussions, small-group work, presentations, or debates
- Developing intellectual curiosity and understanding the role of a student in an academic community
- Describe the earliest developments in human understanding of numbers, shapes, and measurement
- Identify key contributions to mathematics made by Egypt and Babylonia
- Evaluate the credibility of sources using multiple criteria
Weekly Schedule
While this syllabus serves as a general guide, assignments and topics may be updated and/or tweaked as we go along based on the progress of the class. On a given Monday, the assignments due the next Monday will be definitive.
| Week of |
Topic |
Assignments (due before class, except for HW0) |
| Jan 27 |
What is mathematics? First human steps in mathematics. |
About this class
Homework 0 (due Jan 31st) |
| Feb 3 |
Counting, Discussion of presentations and papers |
Reading: On learning to count
Find here ideas for your presentation and paper. |
| Feb 10 |
Primary and Secondary Sources
Discussion about the presentations. |
|
| Feb 17 |
Number systems |
Sat Feb 22: Final version of presentation bibliography and summary (submitted in Brighspace). See example here. |
| Feb 24 |
Number systems |
|
| Mar 3 |
Presentations: Madelyn, Bryce, Daniel. |
|
| Mar 10 |
Presentations: Manasvi, Lysul. |
|
| Mar 17-21 |
Spring Break: No Class in Session |
|
| Mar 24 |
Presentations: Jack, Giana, Xinwei, Jordan, Luyi. |
|
| Mar 31 |
Presentations, Kayleen, Darina, Nyam, Raïssa, Abby. |
|
| Apr 7 |
Presentations: Abdul, Matteo, Martin, Shannon, |
Paper due on April 10th |
Assessment and Grading
Class Polls and Questions (30% of the grade)
In our class sessions, we will utilize Wooclap. To participate, I will provide you with a code at the beginning of each lecture, and you should log in using your Stony Brook email. I will pose open-ended questions that you can respond to using any device with a web browser (smartphone, laptop, tablet).
These questions will not be evaluated for "correctness"; instead, you will earn one point for each answer you provide. I review the answers to gauge the class's understanding. All questions are crafted to guide your thinking process and enhance your learning experience. Your presence in class is required to answer the questions. While correctness is not a grading factor, your answers are assessed for effort. For instance, a random sentence may not earn credit.
Class Participation (10% of the grade)
You can participate in class by asking and answering questions, engaging in class activities, and posting questions or comments on the Brightspace discussion board. You may also share materials related to our class discussions that you find interesting.
We will engage in a variety of activities, including individual and group work, technology-based tasks, and hands-on exercises such as origami.
Presentation (30% of the grade)
The presentation is on a topic assigned by the instructor (with student input). More details can be found here.
Paper (30% of the grade)
You (and all other students) will write a 1000- to 1200-word paper on the same topic as the presentation. Guidelines and the rubric are available here.
Communication
Absence or Missed Work: If you want an absence or missed work to be considered in your final grade calculation, you must submit a request via the form
Missed Work Form.
At the end of the semester, I will review these requests and adjust grades if necessary. Please note that I cannot process these requests via email—use the form instead.
I typically respond to emails within one to two days, so plan accordingly. I may not be able to reply on weekends or holidays.
I am here to support and guide you, and I welcome all relevant questions—I’m a fan of questions and encourage you to ask them. However, to benefit the entire class, please email me only if your question needs to be addressed privately. In that case, feel free to use email. Otherwise, post your questions or comments in the Brightspace discussion forum. (I recommend subscribing to the forum.) You can also use it to report broken links on the course website.
I am committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. If you face any circumstances that affect your ability to participate in the course, you are welcome—but not required—to reach out to discuss your situation. Keep in mind that some issues are easier to address if handled early.
If you need accommodations, I encourage you to contact the SASC office, which can help document your needs and develop an accommodation plan.
Finally, constructive feedback is always appreciated!
STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
Americans with Disabilities Act
If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact the Student Accessibility Support Center, SB Union Suite 107, (631) 632-6748, or at sasc@stonybrook.edu. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.
Academic Integrity
Each student must pursue their academic goals honestly and be held personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is academic dishonesty. Faculty are required to report any suspected instances of academic dishonesty to the Academic Judiciary. For more information, refer to the academic integrity website.
Critical Incident Management
Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of others. Faculty must report disruptive behavior that interrupts teaching, compromises safety, or inhibits learning to the Office of University Community Standards.
Course Evaluation
Students are asked to provide feedback on their courses and instructors through an online course evaluation system. Evaluations help faculty improve their teaching and influence promotion decisions. Past evaluation data can be found at: Classie Evals.
Basic Needs
If you are concerned about resources related to food and housing, please contact the Student Support Team.