Quantitative Literacy at Michigan State University, 3: Designing General Education Mathematics Courses

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the process at Michigan State University whereby we have created two courses, Math 101 and 102, designed to foster numeracy and alleviate mathematics anxiety. The courses--which are not sequential--provide a means of satisfying the University\u27s general education requirement without taking college algebra or calculus, among other options. They are context-driven and broken into modules such as The World and Its People and Health and Risk. They have been highly successful thus far, with students providing positive feedback on their interest in the material and the utility they see of it in their daily lives. We include background on the courses\u27 history, their current status, and present and future challenges, ending with suggestions for others as they attempt to implement quantitative literacy courses at their own institution