> In a message dated 98-03-01 15:04:55 EST, akst@idt.net writes:
>
> << Is it okay to call a community course in intermediate algebra
> College Algebra, and giving some kind of credit for the course? Or does
> answering in the affirmative dilute our standards? >
>
> What? Is this some kind of straw man question?
>
> Answer: of course it's all right. Why, at my college, we have *pottery*
> classes we call College Algebra, (College Algebra for Liberal Arts) and give
> transferable credit for, and we haven't had a lick of trouble from the state
> (CA, of course). our sports majors really appreciate this, too.
>
> Of course, if anyone even remotely connected with accreditation reads this, i
> should point out that of course i am just being silly --ha!ha! -- and that
> College of the Desert in no way would ever consider just renaming a course
> without checking to see if the course content matched. No!
Ah, Phil - I have to take some exceptions to this.
1. While we have excellent pottery classes at COD, you don't get College Algebra
credit for them.
2. The Liberal Arts Math course you refer to was put in place (by me) as an
alternative for the students who aren't planning to take calculus. If you're not
intending to study calculus then a survey course without some of the intense
algebra is appropriate - though by no means is it intended to be less
academically rigorous - though in the hands of a careless and/or unprepared
teacher, it may very well be pretty weak. There is a whole world of mathematics
which is intensely interesting a yet doesn't hinge on mastering the fundamental
theorem of algebra. Graph theory, fractal geometry and combinatorics come to
mind.
3. The Liberal Arts Math course doesn't transfer to most four year schools and so
enrollment is pretty low. I think we're down to 1 section per semester.
Sadly, the success rate in College Algebra continues to be very low - it's a
slaughter; a killing field; the final plowing under of all those who limped along
with C's and D's in Intermediate Algebra. The same may apply to Liberal Arts
Math, I don't know: I've never taught it.
To answer Akst's question: NO! Though the refusal to lower standards is, no
doubt, a large part of the reason College Algebra is such a failure. What to
do? How about inspiring students to apply themselves and take advantage of their
place in history to learn all the marvels uncovered by their forebears? Also,
how about paying High School teachers what they're worth and improving their
working conditions a notch or two?
Geoff Hagopian
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