The Chronicle: Colloquy: The question

THE QUESTION

More college professors are teaching "ethnomathematics," in which the cultural perspectives of minority groups are added to the mathematics curriculum. This takes the form of talking about contributions made to mathematics from Africa and Asia, using examples from minority cultural experiences in mathematics problems, and using mathematical methods developed in non-European countries. Supporters of the approach say that it encourages more black and Hispanic students to study and to do well in mathematics. Some critics fear that the approach dumbs down the math curriculum and gives teachers an excuse to avoid mathematics -- by encouraging them to talk about culture instead. Is "ethnomathematics" a good thing? Will it attract more minority students to math? Does it pose risks to students' understanding of math?

For further information, see this background article:

Good-Bye Pythagoras? (10/6/2000)

: 28 RESPONSES (New 12/1)

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