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Study information

Mathematics: History and Culture - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEMathematics: History and Culture CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEMTH3019 MODULE CONVENERDr Julio Andrade (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 67
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Over the course of its history, mathematics has been shaped both by the subject’s own internal logic, as well as by the nature and needs of the society it which it was developed and transmitted. This module gives you the opportunity to see how the mathematics studied today has evolved over the centuries, and how mathematics relates to wider issues in culture and society. Through a mixture of lectures, student-led presentations and guided study involving the research and writing of essays, you will become familiar with selected aspects of the development of mathematics and its applications throughout history.

Pre-requsite modules: MTH1001 or COM1012.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to give you an appreciation of the historical development of mathematics and of its place within the wider culture. By studying a number of specific topics, you will become familiar with the changing nature of mathematics and its role throughout history. This includes how various cultures have been influenced by numbers, geometry, algebra, calculus and the full range of mathematical ideas. Topics will be drawn from particular areas of mathematics, such as numbers, geometry, algebra, calculus, as well as from the philosophy and foundations of mathematics.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 demonstrate a general appreciation of the history and philosophy of mathematics and its role in human history and culture;

2 reveal in-depth knowledge of a selection of topics, and demonstrated knowledge and critical appreciation in these topics.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

3 show an understanding of how mathematical ideas have emerged and evolved;

4 appreciate how mathematical thinking has contributed to human history and culture;

5 display an understanding of the original historical context of material found in other modules within the mathematics degree programme.

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:

6 exemplify research, self-study, critical thinking and writing skills through essay writing;

7 illustrate oral presentation skills by participation in seminars and oral presentation;

8 demonstrate teamwork skills by researching and presenting one of the topics in a group seminar;

9 show IT skills by research and presentation of your work.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

In any year a selection of four topics will be taken from the following list:

- the Greek legacy: Pythagoras, Euclid, Apollonius, Archimedes - aspects of geometry and number theory;

- ancient mathematics: a selection of ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, Greek, Chinese, Indian and Arabic/Persian Mathematics;

- geometry: Euclid's fifth postulate, non-Euclidean geometries, the Kleinian view, finite geometries, fractal geometry;

- algebra: from geometric algebra to symbolic algebra, Arabic developments, solution of polynomials by radicals, Gauss and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, Galois theory;

- history of numbers: history of the representation, arithmetic and use of numbers, development of number systems;

- the development of calculus: history of the foundations and emergence of calculus. From Newton/Leibniz to rigorous approaches;

- women in mathematics: a study of the experience of women in mathematics;

- what probability is: a history of the development of the ideas of probability and its applications;

- mathematical ideas in western cultural thought and history;

- philosophy and the foundations of mathematics: Frege, Hilbert, Russell, logicism, intuitionism;

- philosophy of science: empiricism, logical positivism, Popper, Kuhn;

- contemporary topics in the philosophy and culture of mathematics.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 20 Guided Independent Study 130 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 10 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 10 Seminars
Guided independent study 130 Guided independent study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Formative essay 500 words 6, 9 Peer feedback
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 50 Practical Exams 10
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Coursework - essay 1 10 500 words 1,3,4,5,6,9 Written comments
Coursework - essay 2 30 1,500 words 1,2,3.4,5,6,9 Written comments
Practical oral presentation 10 5-10 minutes during one of the seminars 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9 Emailed feedback
Written examination 50 1 1/2 hours (Summer) 1,2,3,4,5,6 Feedback sheet
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
Written Exam * Written examination (1 1/2 hours) 1,2,3,4,5,6 August Ref/Def period
Coursework essay 1 * Coursework essay 1 1,3,4,5,6,9 August Ref/Def period
Coursework essay 2 * Coursework essay 2 1,2,3,4,5,6,9 August Ref/Def period
Oral Presentation * Oral Presentation 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9 August Ref/Def period

*Please refer to reassessment notes for details on deferral vs Referral reassesment 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferrals: Reassessment will be by coursework and/or written exam in the deferred element only. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped. 

Referrals: Reassessment will be by a single written exam worth 100% of the module only. As it is a referral, the mark will be capped at 40%. 

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE: https://ele.exeter.ac.uk

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Struik D.J. A concise history of mathematics Dover 1987 000-0-486-60255-9
Set Dunham W. Journey through genius: the great theorems of mathematics Wiley 1990 000-0-471-50030-5
Set Kline M. Mathematics in Western Culture Oxford University Press 1972 000-0-140-21546-8
Set Grattan-Guinness I. The Fontana History of the Mathematical Sciences Fontana 2000 978-0006861799
Set Fauvel J. and Gray J. The History of Mathematics: a reader Macmillan & Oxford University Press 1987 000-0-333-42791-2
Set Katz V.J. A History of Mathematics. An Introduction 3rd Addison-Wesley 2009 978-0321387004
Set Boyer, C.B. A History of Mathematics Electronic Wiley 2011 0471097632
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES MTH1001
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10th July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 19th September 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH History; philosophy; culture of mathematics.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.