Kelly MacArthur (Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, MSU) - Ph.D. Dissertation Defense

7/7/2022  10:00am

Abstract: Calculus sequences are frequently experienced as gatekeeper courses for STEM-intending students, particularly for students from groups that have been historically marginalized in mathematics including Latin*, Indigenous, LGBTQ+ and women. This dissertation defense presentation will report on research findings that explore attitudes of Calculus 2 students broadly, as well as more specifically from the above-listed groups regarding what practices, pedagogies, and assessment structures feel humanizing to them. This work uses the rehumanizing framework outlined by Gutiérrez (2018) with the goal of elevating and understanding the perspectives of students who are often ill-served and thereby impact future undergraduate teaching in positive and humanizing ways.