> I would like to think that higher education still
> focuses on the original goal of trying to "educate" the
> population - to become an "educated person"!!!
Ok, so mathematics is part of the curriculum, not for reasons of
professional prep, but so that each student will "become an educated
person". That's fine. But how do we distinguish it from other liberal
arts like political science or poetry which are not specifically
required for graduation? In fact, no specific science course, such as
physics or chemistry, is required for graduation. The student is allowed
to pick from a list.
Is mathematics required because it is needed by all educated citizens?
If so, then why is the bulk of the required curriculum made up of
algebra and precalculus? Clearly, math is there so that students who may
transfer to a university and pick majors that require calculus will be
ready. The fact that the majority of students do not fall into this
category (and so are unmotivated to learn the material) is treated as an
unfortunate pitfall of this strategy.
So which is it? A liberal art to be offered but not required, a
generally useful set of skills (factoring binomials?) or simply a
prerequisite for calculus?
--George
George Lewis
Coastal Fisheries Division
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
george.lewis@tpwd.state.tx.us
> -----Full Original Message-----
> From: Abraham S. Mantell [mailto:mantell@polar.sunynassau.edu]
> Sent: Friday, October 02, 1998 3:48 PM
> To: hburn@CTC.CTC.EDU
> Cc: mathedcc@archives.math.utk.edu
> Subject: Re: [MATHEDCC] Re: AA without Math Requirement
>
>
> Hello Helen,
>
> I understand your dilemma, and often think the same
> thing...however, we
> should remember that the (original) intent of higher
> education was not to
> be able to go out and get a job, but to become an "educated" person.
> I suppose this has changed, at least in the minds of our students and
> much of the population - many (if not most) expect to learn
> what they will
> need to get employed and make lots of money...perhaps this is what the
> business end of higher education needs to advertise to maintain or
> increase enrollment. I would like to think that higher
> education still
> focuses on the original goal of trying to "educate" the
> population - to
> become an "educated person"!!!
>
> If someone wishes to learn ONLY those skills, tasks, or
> routines that are
> relevant to their chosen discipline, then I suggest trade or
> professional
> school for that training.
>
> Contrary to what we are supposed to say, not all people are "college
> material"...that is not to say they cannot become more than
> what they are,
> but I find, teaching at the community college and even at a somewhat
> respected local university (Hofstra), that many students are just not
> ready, either intellectually or emotionally, for the rigors of serious
> learning and discovery.
>
> Is this harsh? If so, then so be it!
>
> Abe
>
> mantell@sunynassau.edu
>
> >
> > Abe:
> >
> > You mention that "there are always exceptions." The
> opinions of most
> > other responders (a decidedly biased sample, I suspect) is
> that there are
> > no exceptions. The situation I'm grappling with
> > is the one
> > student you run into every two or three years who is now
> flunking their
> > intermediate algebra for the third time, and they're
> enrolled in this
> > class after taking the previous class three times and
> finally passing with
> > a 0.7. Yet the student is receiving 3.0-4.0 in their other subject
> > matters. What to do? Should they be precluded from having
> an AA and
> > going on? The response of: "Go be a plumber" seems
> elitist to me.
> >
> >
> > Helen Burn
> > Highline Community College
> > Seattle, WA
> >
> >
>
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