Ethnomathematics: Challenging Eurocentrism in Mathematics Education

by Arthur B. Powell, Marilyn Frankenstein

Overview

Presents the emerging field of ethnomathematics from a critical perspective, challenging particular ways in which Eurocentrism permeates mathematics education and mathematics in general.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780791433522
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	04/17/1997
Series:	SUNY series, Reform in Mathematics Education
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	462
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Arthur B. Powell is Associate Professor in the Academic Foundations Department at Rutgers University–Newark. He has coauthored Math: A Rich Heritage, translated Sona Geometry: Reflections on the Tradition of Sand Drawings in Africa South of the Equator, and cotranslated Sipatsi: Technology, Art and Geometry in Inhambane. Marilyn Frankenstein is Professor at the Center for Applied Language and Mathematics, College of Public and Community Service at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She has also written Basic Algebra and Relearning Mathematics: A Different Third R-Radical Maths. Together, they are co-founders of the Criticalmathematics Educators Group and members of the Radical Teacher Editorial Collective.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword
U. D'Ambrosio

Introduction
A. B. Powell and M. Frankenstein

Section I. Ethnomathematical Knowledge
A. B. Powell and M. Frankenstein

1. Ethnomathematics and its Place in the History and Pedagogy of Mathematics
U.D'Ambrosio

2. Ethnomathematics
M. Ascher and R. Ascher

Section II. Uncovering Distorted and Hidden History of Mathematical Knowledge
A. B. Powell and M. Frankenstein

3. Foundations of Eurocentrism in Mathematics
G. G. Joseph

4. Animadversions on the Origins of Western Science
M. Bernal

5. Africa in the Mainstream of Mathematics History
B. Lumpkin

Section III. Considering Interactions Between Culture and Mathematical Knowledge
A. B. Powell and M. Frankenstein

6. The Myth of the Deprived Child: New Thoughts on Poor Children
H. P. Ginsburg

7. Mathematics and Social Interests
B. Martin

8. Marx and Mathematics
D. J. Struik

Section IV. Reconsidering What Counts as Mathematical Knowledge
A. B. Powell and M. Frankenstein

9. Difference, Cognition, and Mathematics Education
V. Walkerdine

10. An Example of Traditional Women's Work as a Mathematics Resource
M. Harris

11. On Culture, Geometrical Thinking and Mathematics Education
P. Gerdes

Section V. Ethnomathematical Praxis in the Curriculum
A. B. Powell and M. Frankenstein

12. Ethnomathematics and Education
M. Borba

13. Mathematics, Culture, and Authority
M. Fasheh

14. Worldmath Curriculum: Fighting Eurocentrism in Mathematics
S. E. Aederson

15. World Cultures in the Mathematics Class
C. Zaslavsky

Section VI. Ethnomathematical Research
A. B. Powell and M. Frankenstein

16. Survey of Current Work in Ethnomathematics
P. Gerdes

17. Applications in the Teaching of Mathematics and the Sciences
R. Pinxten

18. An Ethnomathematical Approach in Mathematica Education: A Matter of Political Power
G. Knijnik

Afterword
G. Gilmer

Contributors

Index

Editorial Reviews

"This volume brings focus to the issues of access and equity within mathematics and identifies ways to assist teachers in providing quality mathematics to traditionally underserved and underrepresented students. Culturally responsive pedagogy is an area that is sorely lacking given the fact that our nation's classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse. We cannot have enough work in this area. Such material should be required for teacher preparation as well as professional development." — Sharon Nelson-Barber, Far West Laboratory for Education Research and Development

"This is a collection of some of the most important papers in ethnomathematics. The authors provide insightful and historical analyses of the development and use of mathematical concepts. Traditionally, this perspective is absent from discussions in mathematics education, yet this book makes a unique contribution to the literature." — William F. Tate, University of Wisconsin–Madison

From the Publisher