Math 311. History of Mathematics. Prof. Rickey. Spring 1995.
The following periodicals are good sources of historical material on mathematics. I would advise you to look at a volume or two of each while doing your second library assignment. At the same time think about topics for your research paper. Naturally there are many other periodicals that contain historical papers.
Devoted entirely to the history of mathematics. Included are papers, reviews of books, and short abstracts of new books and articles. The later provide hints as to where else to look for information.
Devoted to the philosophy, history and expository treatment of mathematics. The early volumes make very interesting browsing.
A journal specifically devoted to the high school curriculum which is published by NCTM, an organization prospective teachers should join. Numerous historical articles have appeared over the years. See especially the "Historically Speaking" column that appeared in the fifties. There is a cummulative index to volumes 1-58 (1909-1965) and another for 59-68 (1966-1975).
Devoted mainly to the university curriculum. There is an index for the first 80 volumes, 1894-1973.
The most important journal devoted to the history of the sciences. A noteworthy feature is the critical bibliography that appears at the end of each volume.
Each issue contains a column specifically designed for high school students and teachers. Write COMAP, 60 Lowell Street, Arlington, MA 02174 to get on the mailing list.
Expository journals with occasional historical articles.
The following are research journals. It is worth while to look at them and to note the different level of exposition:
These last two do not contain papers, but abstracts of papers. Look in the section on the history of mathematics to get some idea of the wealth of material that is being published today.
N.B. The articles you are reading for library assignment two must deal with the history of mathematics; straight mathematics is not acceptable.
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If you have comments, send email to V. Frederick Rickey at
fred-rickey@usma.edu .
Posted 14 December 1996.