NMAK21004U History of Mathematics 2: Expeditions into Mathematics in the Making, Research, and Uses of History for Teaching (Hist2)

Volume 2023/2024
Education

MSc Programme in Mathematics

MSc Programme in Mathematics with a minor subject

Content

The students will be introduced to

  • Mathematics in the making: History of mathematics as a place where one can get experiences with production of new mathematical knowledge.
  • History of mathematics as a research discipline.
  • The role of (or uses of) history of mathematics in the teaching of mathematics in high school.

 

These three themes will be discussed in the lectures and student seminars within the framework of the history of a specific subject area in mathematics. In 2023-24 it will be analysis.

In the student seminars and the project work of the course, students can tailor the course towards their specific interests: getting some knowledge about “mathematics in the making” (mathematical research), explore history of mathematics as a research discipline, or learning about how history of mathematics can be used in mathematics teaching in high school.

We will read mathematical texts from the past, recent papers in history of mathematics and in didactics of mathematics, and give lectures and student seminars related to the texts and papers. There will be a group project where students can focus on one of the three themes after their own choice.  

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

After having completed the course, the student will have a rather deep knowledge of the history of mathematical analysis, how mathematics grow, historiography and the role and/or use of history in mathematics education.

 

Skills:

After having completed the course the student will be able to

1. Read past mathematical texts on analysis.

2. Find primary and secondary literature on the subject of the course.

3. Use history of mathematics in the teaching of mathematics in high school.

 

Competences:

After having completed the course the student will be able to

  1. Communicate orally as well as in written form about the selected topic from the history of mathematics (history of analysis).
  2. Analyse a primary historical text (if necessary in translation) within the subject of the course, and more generally to reflect on “mathematics in the making” in relation to the selected topic.
  3. Analyse, evaluate and discuss a secondary historical text on the subject of the course, and more generally reflect on history of mathematics as a research discipline.
  4. Use the historical topic of the course in connection with mathematics teaching, and more generally reflect on the role and use of the history of the selected topic in mathematics teaching in high school.

Mathematical texts from the past (in English translation), recent papers in history and didactics of mathematics.

Hist1 is usefull but not necessary. Moreover Analysis 1 or similar.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Lectures, student seminars and supervision for the project work.
The course is identical to the discontinued course NMAK15016U History of Mathematics 2 (Hist2). Therefore you cannot register for NMAK21004U - History of Mathematics 2: Expeditions into Mathematics in the Making, Research, and Uses of History for Teaching (Hist2), if you have already passed NMAK15016U History of Mathematics 2 (Hist2).
If you are registered with examination attempts in NMAK15016U History of Mathematics 2 (Hist2) without having passed the course, you have to use your last examination attempts to pass the exam in NMAK21004U - History of Mathematics 2: Expeditions into Mathematics in the Making, Research, and Uses of History for Teaching (Hist2). You have a total of three examination attempts.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 12
  • Preparation
  • 137,5
  • Theory exercises
  • 8
  • Project work
  • 40
  • Guidance
  • 8
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Total
  • 206,0
Oral
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)

Oral feed-back will be given during  the studen seminars. Peer-feedback will be given on the project work. Feed-back will be give at the supervision sessions on the project work.

 

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 minutes
Type of assessment details
The examination will be in the project and the curriculum. The student will start the exam by giving an 8 minutes presentation of the project.
Exam registration requirements

In order to qualify for the exam the student must write a group project on a topic within the subject of the course related to one of the three themes, give an oral presentation of it in class, and give and receive peer-feedback on the project work. Moreover the student must give a 1-1½ hour seminar presentation on a topic within the subject of the course.

Aid
Only certain aids allowed

During the exam the student is allowed to consult a note with at most 20 words. Other aids are not permitted.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Re-exam

Same as ordinary exam.

If the student has not met the qulification criteria for the exam during the course, the student must write an individual project report on a topic within the subject of the course related to one of the three themes, and hand it in no later than three weeks before the beginning of the re-exam week. The project report must be accompanied by a 2 page reflection paper, where the student describe and reflect upon the proces of the project work. 

Criteria for exam assesment

The student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Intended learning outcome.