Case 17: Personalizing the History of Mathematics through Institution-Specific Archival Materials

by Christine Latulippe

This case study describes ways in which the Norwich University Archives expanded their user base into a history of mathematics class, through partnership with a mathematics faculty member. The collaboration involved physically hosting a history of mathematics course in the Archives for an entire semester and incorporating Norwich-specific archival materials into the existing structure of a survey course on the history of mathematics. Teaching the history of mathematics is one way to engage students with mathematics as a human endeavor and help them make connections among the courses and content they have studied throughout school. Pedagogical design strategies and innovative uses of archival materials are outlined here, highlighting ways that the purposeful inclusion of archival materials directly from the history of Norwich University brought concepts from the history of mathematics to an even more personal and engaging level for students.

Access: Personalizing the History of Mathematics through Institution-Specific Archival Materials