Supplies
Text: A First Course in Abstract Algebra, by Fraleigh
Stapler: All assignments more than one page long must be stapled.

Grading Scale
You can earn points in this class as follows:

Participation .................................................  5% 
Definition Quizzes  ............................................ 5% 
Course Summary ................................................ 15% 
Homework  ..................................................... 25% 
Exam I, Mar 15 ................................................ 25% 
Exam II, Final's Week ......................................... 25% 

Participation
You'll be expected to attend class, ask questions when you are confused, and to participate in any in-class assignments. You're also expected to be reasonably awake during class. If you follow these guidelines, you'll easily get full credit for this portion of your grade.

Definition Quizzes
In order to be able to successfully write proofs in this (or any) math class it is essential that you know the definitions and the statements of the main theorems cold. In order to encourage this, we will have a daily, one question quiz on a recent definition or theorem. I will keep a web page of the definitions and theorems that you will be responsible for.

Course Summary
At the end of the class, you will each turn in an individual written summary of the course. This summary can include proofs, pictures, examples, and anything else you think is relevant. It should be something more than just handing me your notes for the course -- I'd like to see that you've given some thought to how all the topics we cover fit together; what the big picture is. I'll talk more about the course summary later in the term, but for now you might want to keep the question of the ``big picture" in mind while you're in class.

Homework
Homework will assigned in almost every class period, and will be due the following Tuesday. You are allowed 2 late homework assignments, to be turned in the following Thursday. After that, late homework will not be accepted under any circumstances, so be sure to use your late homeworks wisely. I encourage you to discuss strategies for solving the homework problems with other students; however, your final write-up of the problems must be done entirely on your own. Your lowest homework score will be dropped.

Exams
There will be 2 exams in the course, one March 15 and the other during finals week. Either of these exams may be take-home exams. These exams will be closed notes, closed friends, open brain, and under the honor system unless I tell you otherwise.