Andrew Hacker: Is Algebra Necessary? (PUUUUUUUUKE)

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7. Math is part of a broad liberal arts education

It makes no more sense to exclude a math requirement than it does to exclude a social science, science, or even a language arts requirement. Our High School requires three years of math (Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II) to graduate from High School. It requires four years of language arts. It requires three years of social studies. It requires three years of science. It even requires two years of Fine or Practical Arts. The liberal arts curriculum at our state universities puts a very limited requirement on knowing math and science (10 hours total with only six of those hours quantitative based, and the math is of a very rudimentary level). The requirement is far less than that found in the other liberal arts.

Of course I am an engineer, and I am biased, but the ability to understand quantitative facts around you is essential to being a good citizen in my opinion. Global warning, the banking crisis, environmental damage, or even understanding taxes all can be enhanced by additional trainiinstruction in mathematics.

Lets take the author's two examples: Art requires a significant amount of mant manipulation to get perspective correct. Has the author heard of the golden ratio? One of the greatest artists of all time was also one of the greatest engineers of all time - Da Vinci. Modern art is firmly entrenched in modern technology (ie math). My daughter is studying engineering. She is also studying documentary film production and video editing. The two go hand in hand.

As far as history. How can you understand the progress of technology in history without understanding math? Having a basic understanding of algebra and geometry (not even trig is required and I would argue that would be helpful) is esential in this modern world to be an educated individual. I would no more want to see math excluded than literature or history or a foreign language. All of these are hard as well and leave many quantative based individuals with limited career options. Yes to "Hamlet" but no to the quadratic equation. A liberal arts education requires both.