Facing the change and meeting the challenge: mathematics curriculum of Tongwen Guan in China in the second half of the nineteenth century

It is commonly recognized that the second wave of transmission of Western science and mathematics into China took place in the second half of the nineteenth century, thereby starting a process of modernization which has become synonymous with “westernization” of the country. In this context mathemat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ZDM 2012-08, Vol.44 (4), p.461-472
Main Authors: Chan, Yip-Cheung, Siu, Man-Keung
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
17th century
19th century
Astronomy
Chinese history
Core curriculum
Diplomatic & consular services
Education
Educational Change
Ethnic Groups
Foreign Policy
Government School Relationship
Historians
Ideology
Imperialism
Learning
Learning Processes
Mathematical analysis
Mathematics
Mathematics Curriculum
Mathematics Education
Missionaries
Modernization
Original Article
Scientific Concepts
Social Structure
War
Western Civilization
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Summary:It is commonly recognized that the second wave of transmission of Western science and mathematics into China took place in the second half of the nineteenth century, thereby starting a process of modernization which has become synonymous with “westernization” of the country. In this context mathematics education in China also went through a process of modernization. During this period of great change reformers faced serious challenge and went through a “mental struggle”. This paper discusses this challenge and mental struggle by taking a close look at the controversy over the establishment of Tianwen Suanxue Guan (School of Astronomy and Mathematics) in Tongwen Guan (School of Combined Learning), one of the schools of Western learning at the time. The attempt to integrate Western mathematics with Chinese traditional mathematics is also discussed through the study of some questions sampled from examinations and students’ homework assignments of this school.
ISSN:1863-9690
1863-9704
DOI:10.1007/s11858-012-0427-9