This course is majority a reading/writing course. With the title of the course, you might be confused on how it could be a math course but its actually a theory based, comprehensive reading and writing course. You'll be doing readings and doing weekly writeups as well as a debate to finish off.

Try your best to find that Joel is looking for, despite you giving your opinion, on what is arguably an opinion based/argumentative persuasive writing course it might be the opinion or narrative that he wants to hear that'll grant you a higher mark. Stay away from controversial topics or viewpoints. His exams and tests are difficult to follow because they're based on past readings so take notes on your previous readings.