Mathematics and politics
Lecture notes, 1/21/03
Current assignments:
- Visit my office, DRL 4N28.
- Write a 2-3 page paper on some problem people have with mathematics, and propose a solution. Due Thursday.
Summary of 1/16 discussion:
-
"Fuzzy math" and numbers in politics (2000 presidential debates)
- Bush was consciously trying to appeal to math-phobic voters.
- Gore used numbers that viewers couldn't readily verify: intimidation?
-
Why is literacy more important in society than math ability?
- Literacy is more useful in real life.
- Some people don't find literacy important either...
-
Obstacles to mathematics achievement
- Economic class is a severe barrier: poor schools don't get good teachers, and poor students get less encouragement from parents.
- Unsure about effect of race/ethnicity.
-
Importance of teacher
- Overwhelming agreement that what the teacher does in class has a big impact.
- Teachers should tailor lessons to different needs of students.
- Teachers need to make classes interesting...
Discussion (continued):
- Do women have higher barriers to mathematics achievement than men? If so,
why? What can be done about it?
- Survey of topics for papers
- What did you read for your first assignment?
- What topic are you planning to write about for Thursday?
- Women students in math
Review
of the literature by Jennifer Gutbezahl
- Do males have an inherent genetic advantage in mathematics?
- What effects do parents have on children's math experiences?
- Do males get more attention in math classes than females?
- Do females lack self-confidence in math?
- Women mathematicians
American Mathematical Society survey data
Summary of statistics for research universities: women make up...
- about 15 percent of current faculty
- about 25 percent of new faculty hires
- about 30 percent of graduate math students
- about 40 percent of undergraduate math majors
Questions:
- Does discrimination prevent mathematics departments from hiring women?
- Why do fewer women continue on in mathematics than men?
- Is affirmative action required to reduce the discrepancy?