025413 Mathematics Study 3: The Historical and Societal Context of Mathematics

This subject highlights the social and historical contexts of learning and teaching mathematics. A deeper understanding of the nature of mathematics is developed and students are able to apply their new insights to the teaching of mathematics in the primary school. Students gain an understanding of the importance of mathematics in determining the nature of societies, develop greater understanding of the relationships between different branches of mathematics, and appreciate the influence of geography, economics and technology on the development of mathematics. They develop sensitivity to the cultural, gender and class differences which affect access to mathematics for individual members of communities.