Topics in the philosophy of mathematical practice

This highly interactive summer school offers students from mathematics and philosophy of mathematics the opportunity 1) to gain knowledge about the central topics in the philosophy of mathematical practice and 2) to gain the basic skills needed in order to practice empirically informed philosophy of mathematical practice themselves. 

Practical information

The course will be organized in two parts, a four-week online part (25 hours per week) and a two-week on-campus part (full time). 

The online part will include reading of research papers, online discussion of topics raised in the papers, online collaboration and supervision in developing problem formulations for final products. The material will primarily be centered on the following four themes from contemporary philosophy of mathematical practice: 

  • The role of diagrams in mathematical practice 
  • Proofs as vehicles of communication in mathematical practice
  • Experimental aspects of mathematical practice
  • Formal aspects of mathematical practice

Furthermore, the students will familiarize themselves with basic theories of empirical data collection during the online part of the course.

The on-campus part will consist of the following three elements: 

  • Lectures following up on the four themes in philosophy of mathematical practice covered in the on-line part. 
  • Workshops on empirical data collection.
  • Practical work preparing an empirically informed product in the philosophy of mathematical practice (such as an essay informed by data from e.g. qualitative interviews, a questionnaire or corpus analysis performed by the student).

Students will receive group supervision on their product during the on-campus part of the course. 

Timeline

April 1 Application deadline (see below)
June 1 Last chance to apply, if there are available seats
July 3 - 28 Online part of the course (online, 25 hours per week)
July 31 - August 11 On-campus part of the course (online, 40 hours per week)
August 25 Deadline exam project

Application and tuition fees

Last chance for applying is June 1 2023. You can sign up for the course via the “Sign up” menu point in the course description: https://kurser.ku.dk/course/nndk19000u/2022-2023 

Tuition fees depend on your country of residence and current academic affiliation. See more about the application process and fees here: https://studies.ku.dk/summer/how-to-apply/#How-to-find-information-about-the-application-process-for-each-course-