Course Description
Critical interpretation and evaluation of research and theoretical writing in mathematics education.
Athena Title
EDU LIT IN EMT
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The course is designed to: 1. Survey, from an advanced point of view, the research literature in mathematics education; 2. Give students an opportunity to read extensively the literature relevant to their proposed dissertation research; 3. Help students begin to formulate the research questions for their dissertation; and 4. Improve students’ ability to analyze, summarize, and critique published research.
Topical Outline
1. The course begins with a general discussion of research in mathematics education— its history, nature, and current status. Students are asked to write one or two pages on their research interests, identifying a likely dissertation topic if possible. These interests are discussed with students over the semester and are also used in selecting literature for class sessions. Depending on their background and preparation, they may be given articles to read and discuss in class that deal with research methods. 2. For each session of the class, students are expected to read a research study selected by the instructor and come to class prepared to offer comments and critique on both the study and how it has been reported. In some cases, they are asked to write an abstract for the study. The studies are selected both to give students an overview of the field and to acquaint them with recent studies of interest to them collectively. The selections change each time the course is offered; there is no textbook for the course. 3. Students are also given a handout with information about resources available through campus libraries and the Internet. During the semester, they are expected to use these resources in identifying literature relevant to their research interests. 4. The main project is a paper, due at the end of the semester, for which each student selects two research studies relevant to his or her interests. In the paper, the students are to describe and critique each study and its report, and then compare the two studies along dimensions discussed in class. They are assisted during the semester in identifying two closely related studies (often reported in dissertations but sometimes in journals) and in obtaining copies to read, analyze, describe, and critique.
Syllabus
Public CV