Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Wartime Logic, Tony Bedenikovic

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Self-Reference And Diagonalisation, Joël A. Doat

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This poem is an exercise on self-reference and diagonalisation in mathematics featuring Turing’s proof of the undecidability of the halting problem, Cantor’s cardinality argument, the Burali-Forti paradox, and Epimenides' liar paradox.

Book Review: Algebra The Beautiful: An Ode To Math’S Least-Loved Subject By G. Arnell Williams, Judith V. Grabiner

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

In his book Algebra the Beautiful, G. Darnell Williams has undertaken a challenging job – to show the importance, deep structure, intellectual connections, and sheer beauty of classroom algebra. This review describes some of the questions the book raises, the historical and cultural context it provides, and the intellectual apparatus it deploys.

Poetry Folder: Mathematical Constants Beyond The Half-Circle

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

In our July 2022 issue, we announced an open call for poetry about mathematical constants other than pi. And you delivered. This folder contains five eclectic poems celebrating those constants beyond the half-circle, written by Robin Chapman, John Donoghue, Kevin Farey, Lawrence M. Lesser, and E. R. Lutken.

Enjoy!

Anneli Lax: They Think, Therefore We Are, Elena Anne Corie Marchisotto

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Walking Alone: My Career In Mathematics, Maohua Le, Yongzhong Hu

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

In this article, dictated by Maohua Le and arranged by Yongzhong Hu, Professor Le briefly recounts his legendary experience of self-study mathematics, which reflects the life experiences of his generation of Chinese people.

Mathaphor As A Literary Tool, Sarah Voss

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Drawing from one of my recent sermons, I chart the path of mathaphor (metaphor drawn from mathematics) as a literary tool. Following a short history of the concept, I detail contemporary author Colum McCann’s significant use of a geometric term to unveil and encourage compassion.

Blending Mathematics Teaching With Kindness, Kien H. Lim, Anthony Matsuura

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Mathematics can be intellectually demanding, engaging, and fulfilling. Learning mathematical concepts adequately warrants an environment where students can err without penalty, shame, or hurtful consequences. Teaching mathematics efficaciously depends on the trusting relationship between the teacher and the students. We advocate blending mathematics teaching with kindness because it benefits the teacher, the students, and society. Kindness, niceness, caring, and benevolence are interrelated but not synonymous. We outline four progressive levels of kindness: conditional, superficial, optimal, and genuine. Blending mathematics teaching and kindness effectively requires the teacher to decenter from their own perspectives and adopt the student’s perspective as the student …

Using Bloom's Taxonomy For Math Outreach Within And Outside The Classroom, Manmohan Kaur

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Not everyone is a great artist, but we don’t often hear, “I dislike art.” Most people are able to appreciate visual arts, music and sports, without necessarily excelling in it themselves. On the other hand, the phrase “I dislike math” is widely prevalent. This is especially ironic in our current society, where mathematics affects our day-to-day activities in essential ways such as e-commerce and e-mail. This paper describes the opportunity to popularize mathematics by focusing on its fun and creative aspects, and illustrates this opportunity through a brief discussion of interdisciplinary topics that expose the beauty, elegance and value of …

The Mathematics Of The Harp: Modeling The Classical Instrument And Designing Futuristic Ones, Cristina Carr, Daniel Chioffi, Maya Glenn, Stefan O. Nita, Vlad N. Nita, Bogdan G. Nita

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

We analyze and model the neck of the classical harp based on the length of the strings, their tension and density. We then use the results to design new and innovative harp shapes by adjusting the parameters of the model.

Lessons From Human Experience: Teaching A Humanities Course Made Me A Better Math Teacher, Erin Griesenauer

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

As a professor at a Liberal Arts college, I recently taught a General Education course called Human Experience. Far from my normal experiences in the mathematics classroom, in Human Experience I was tasked with teaching topics from the humanities, including art, philosophy, history, and political science. Teaching this course was challenging, but it was also transformative. Teaching a course so far from my background gave me the opportunity to experiment with different pedagogical techniques and to reflect on how I set up my math classes. I learned many lessons that I have brought back to my math classes—lessons that have …

The Nothing That Really Matters, Szilárd Svitek

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Zero has (a) special role(s) in mathematics. In the current century, we take negative numbers and zero for granted, but we should also be aware that their acceptance and their emergence in mathematics, and their ubiquity today, have not come to happen as rapidly as, for example, that of natural numbers. Students can quickly become confused by the question: is zero a natural number? The answer is simple: a matter of definition. The history of zero and that of negative numbers are closely linked. It was in the calculations of debts that the negative numbers first appeared, where the state …

The Use And Development Of Mathematics Within Creative Literature, Toby S C Peres

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This paper presents a study on the extent to which creative literature been used as a vessel to carry forward the development of mathematical thought. The role of mathematics as a driving force for literature is highlighted, and while many examples exist that clearly show an attempt to disperse mathematical ideas, with Lewis Carroll, OuLiPo and ancient poetry considered, the argument that the sole purpose of the writings was for the sake of mathematical development is not clear-cut.

Where Do Babies Come From?, Marcio Luis Ferreira Nascimento

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

According to European folklore, popularized by a fairy tale, storks are responsible for bringing babies to new parents. This probably came from observation in certain European countries, such as Norway, Netherlands or Germany, that storks nesting on the roofs of households were believed to bring good luck, as the possibility of new births. People love stories, but correlation simply means that there is a relationship between two factors that tells nothing about the direction of said relationship, if any. Another possibility is simple coincidence. Let us say that it’s possible that one factor causes another. It’s also possible that the …

A Classification Of Musical Scales Using Binary Sequences, Thomas Hillen

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Every beginning music student has gone through the four main musical scales: major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor. And some might wonder, why those four and not five, or six, or just three? Here we show that a mathematical classification can be used to identify these scales as representatives of certain scale families. Moreover, the classification reveals another scale family, which is much less known: the harmonic major scale. We find that each scale family contains exactly seven scales, which include the modes (dorian, phrygian,...) and other scales such as the Romanian, …

From A Doodle To A Theorem: A Case Study In Mathematical Discovery, Juan FernáNdez GonzáLez, Dirk Schlimm

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

We present some aspects of the genesis of a geometric construction, which can be carried out with compass and straightedge, from the original idea to the published version (Fernández González 2016). The Midpoint Path Construction makes it possible to multiply the length of a line segment by a rational number between 0 and 1 by constructing only midpoints and a straight line. In the form of an interview, we explore the context and narrative behind the discovery, with first-hand insights by its author. Finally, we discuss some general aspects of this case study in the context of philosophy of mathematical …

Where Does Mathematics Come From? Really, Where?, Mark Huber, Gizem Karaali

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

No abstract provided.

The Liminal Church: Why Navigating Thresholds Between Us Leads To Thriving, Andrew Hale

Doctor of Leadership

Through the discovery, design, and delivery stages of the doctoral project, I centered my work on the following NPO: Churches can thrive when they understand, navigate, and leverage the liminality existing between people, the community, and where God is leading. Despite the myriad of different contexts among local churches, whether polity, worship style, belief statements, and geographical locality, congregations are still composed of people living in relationship to one another and the community around them. Relationships, no matter their nature, are complicated. For the relationships within a local church to thrive, they require intentionality, coaching, effort, openness, and vulnerability. My …

Red, White, Blue & Black: A Phenomenological Analysis Of The African American Officer Experience Of Mentorship In The California Army National Guard, Larry B. Rankin Ii

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological analysis is to explore the perception of mentorship through the experiences of African American Officers (in the ranks of O-4 and above), as it relates to their retention in the California Army National Guard.

Methodology: For this study, a qualitative design was used to conduct research to identify and describe the perception of mentorship through the experiences of African American Officers. The sample was composed of five African-American officers (rank O-4 and above) still serving in the California Army National Guard.

Findings: Analysis of the data collected from 10 semi structured interview questions …

Notes From The Editor

Research & Issues in Music Education

No abstract provided.

Klavar: From Tablature To Comprehensive Music Notation System, E. Joop Van Zoelen

Research & Issues in Music Education

Music students often encounter problems in reading sheet music, because of the complexity of Traditional Music Notation (TMN). Klavar is an alternative music notation system that is simple, intuitive, and easy to learn. Thousands of compositions from many composers are available in Klavar. In its original form, Klavar can be considered as tablature for keyboard instruments. The present paper compares advantages and disadvantages of Klavar and TMN. Subsequently, the author proposes an innovative extension of the Klavar music notation, such that enharmonic notes can be discriminated, and harmonic and melodic lines can be identified. The resulting Klavar20 notation is complete, …

Making Good Doctors: The Ama’S Code Of Ethics And A Culture Of Virtue, John Howard Hassmann

Honors Theses

The American Medical Association’s (AMA) Code of Medical Ethics consists of principles that ensure the legal sanctity and professional conduct of practicing physicians. These principles outline imperatives for physicians “primarily for the benefit of the patient. But a physician can be terrible without violating the AMA’s Code of Medical Ethics. Although the AMA’s code ought not be forsaken or replaced, any code of ethics cannot make its adherents good. Physicians cannot become good following a code that neglects to address the delicacy of good habits. Further, a topical, crisis-management approach to ethical training stifles physicians whose ethical goals transcend lawfulness …

Kingdom Economy Found In A Cup And On A Mat, Nicole J. Richardson

Doctor of Leadership

My NPO is: Churches struggle being relevant forces but could become restorative and thriving communities by rethinking traditional approaches to ecclesiology through reframing Biblical koinonia, mission, and worship. Curating a well-balanced “third space” that offers opportunities for people to engage in their spiritual pilgrimage will fill a void in our context. Additionally, it will offer the universal church another way to nurture community, define worship, and practice relational mission daily through radical hospitality. I serve a Presbyterian Church in North Carolina. The focus is to serve an 8-mile radius in the Piedmont Triad area focusing on the Nones and Dones …

White Supremacy And The Major Scale: Reframing Narratives To Teach The Blues, Improvise, And Check In With Students, John B. Bass Iii

Research & Issues in Music Education

Increasing diversity and equity in secondary and college music programs is a common thread in the scholarship across disciplines in the field. While crucial work is being done to decolonize curricula broadly, students often express difficulty relating to formal music study and teachers struggle to balance desires to diversify repertoire and incorporate alternative pedagogical strategies with their own training. Narratives of white supremacy and music have intersected for over 400 years, but the effect goes beyond the composers and pieces we choose to program or teach. It influences foundational concepts of theory, tuning, and even what notes are (the major …

Music Education Majors And Mental Health: A Follow-Up Study, Philip D. Payne

Research & Issues in Music Education

Music education majors across the United States (N = 1029) self-reported indicators of depression, anxiety, personality, and stress. According to the results, music education majors are highly busy, and report elevated levels of stress as compared to their peers. Semester enrollment averages include: 18.5 hours (including 0 credit courses) a semester, rehearsing an average of 9.08 hours a week, and a majority of whom work an average of 13-15 hours a week all while reporting high perceived stress levels. Furthermore, 74% of respondents required additional screening on the DSM-V for depression with over 70% exhibiting symptoms of moderate or severe …

Exploring Your Ancestry Through Postcards, Sara Anne Hook

Graduate Scholarship and Professional Work

No abstract provided.

Cliff Pelloni: The King At Burger King, University Libraries

East Campus Oral Histories

WMU Alum Cliff Pelloni meets virtually via Google Meet with Cassie Kotrch to discuss his time on East Campus as a student at Western. He also describes the time he won Homecoming King.

Liberated Voices An Online Course In Speaking Up, Seth J. Thomas

Doctor of Ministry

NPO Statement: The white church and its leaders have demonstrated postures of silence and privilege, which need to be lovingly disrupted to leverage and encourage the liberative witness at the heart of the biblical narrative.

Key Insights: Faith leaders from the white church are hungry for resources that encourage them to participate in the struggles for social justice in this present era of ministry. Many desire to speak the truth with love but need encouragement and permission to leverage that witness they find in the scriptures. The liberation theology tradition offers excellent historical and present examples of God’s preferential option …

Facing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus Through Art, Imagery, And Imagination, Julie Schendel

Doctor of Ministry

In this Project Portfolio, I will address the following NPO: Christians have a limited understanding of the nature and character of Jesus due to the whitewashed imagery and artwork many American churches portray. Much of the historical artwork shows Jesus with Caucasian or European features that are relatable only to a certain demographic, leaving many minority groups excluded. The overall key insights from my research are twofold: First, a lot of modern artworks that share broader expressions of Jesus are still relatively inaccessible due to licensing fees and limited audiences. Second, most churchgoers have never been encouraged to question the …