Christendom has long been proud of its rigorous core curriculum that covers the great works of Western Civilization in literature, theology, philosophy, history, and mathematics. A few years ago, the college expanded its math offerings and began offering a math major to its students. Coupled with the 86-credit hour core in the humanities, the Christendom math major is unique amongst other collegiate mathematics offerings. With more courses being developed each year, the major is quickly becoming a vital stepping stone for students interested in excelling in engineering careers and others, giving them the valuable soft skills provided by the liberal arts along with the mathematics knowledge needed to be leaders in their fields.
Requiring mathematics majors to still complete the 86-hour core curriculum is different from most colleges, but students enjoy this facet of the Christendom educational model. As a result, students do not miss out on the critical personal development and enrichment that comes from studying the great works of Western Civilization.
“People ask me why I would be a math major at a liberal arts college,” says mathematics major Emily Palm. “My reply: ‘Why not?’ I get the best of both worlds. I get the core liberal arts, which shape my mind and me as a person, and I get the math major which will set me up for a technical or engineering type career.”
The rigorous mathematics degree gives students the chance to deeply engage in the highly technical computations of differential equations and the more abstract side of math. Studying math from a liberal arts perspective means that what is learned in math class connects to everything else being learned in the core curriculum. Engaging in the history of mathematic advances, students are not boxed into learning merely practical skills, but instead gain the ability to think within the tradition—and beyond. Dr. Douglas Dailey, a professor in the mathematics department, encourages his students to look beyond the calculations to why math works the way it does.
“When most think of mathematics, they think of an endless string of calculations involving esoteric jargon and large numbers,” says Dailey. “While such things do exist in mathematics, in reality, the heart of mathematics lies in proving theorems and explaining why the fundamental mathematical apparatus works the way it does. In the core, I have focused on teaching students the principles of mathematical logic, whereby one makes mathematical arguments to prove the reason why certain processes do what they purport to do.”
The department’s offerings have greatly expanded over the past few years, with the major now built around calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, analysis, and abstract algebra. The department also offers electives in number theory, Euclidean/Non-Euclidean geometry, and probability and statistics, resulting in a robust offering of courses for interested students.
“Of the courses, abstract algebra is my favorite,” notes Dailey. “It is here that so much of the algebra that a student learns in high school is placed on a rigorous footing and other interesting mathematical objects also crop up. For example, symmetries of a physical object can be quantified mathematically, and it is in Algebra that analysis of different forms of symmetry can be most efficiently carried out.”
Interesting insights such as these form the heart of the mathematics thesis for seniors. As with all departments, math majors are required to submit a written twenty-five-page thesis prior to graduation. The thesis represents the capstone of the student’s Christendom education, not the least in the fact that it requires strong writing skills as well as a firm understanding of math.
Professor Douglas Dailey teaches in the mathematics department and believes Christendom’s educational model encourages students to look beyond calculations in order to learn why math works the way it does.
These projects can often be the most interesting of all the departments at the college. For example, senior David Snyder—a double major in Mathematics and Literature—is writing on the mathematics behind the art of origami. Other previous projects have included exploring the math behind the Big Bang, the mathematical aspect of color, and the math used to construct the Roman auditorium.
“My favorite part about teaching here is being able to work one-on-one with students,” concludes Dailey. “Whether it is in the simple answering of a question, or a deeper conversation into the nature or philosophy of mathematics, I learn something from each encounter I have with a student.”
As with every major at Christendom, the value of this course of study comes down to the chance to learn and grow with dedicated professors who are knowledgeable and eager to share their knowledge. Through the rigorous mathematics track, Christendom’s students gain a new perspective on the world, building both theoretical and practical critical thinking.
Christendom’s mathematics major continues to grow rapidly since its introduction in 2014, with the department also featuring a physics minor that provides students with the prerequisites to excel in post-graduate work as well.
Engineering and other math-based careers are more popular than ever, and Christendom’s combination of STEM courses with the liberal arts sets graduates up well for success in graduate school and beyond.
Written by contributing author Riley Damitz (’20).