An integration of the study of algebra and its applications to the world around us with reflection on the teaching and learning of algebraic concepts in the spirit of the NCTM's Principles and Standards of School Mathematics. Mathematical content focuses on basic algebraic concepts including signed numbers and their operations, problem solving, quantitative and qualitative graphs, proportional reasoning, linear functions, and functions defined by tables and graphs. Algebra is presented as the study of patterns, as a symbolic language, as a tool for problem solving, and as a way of modeling and understanding the physical world. Graphing calculators are used throughout the course. [ 3 credits ]