"Das nachsichtslose Einprägenwollen hilft zu nichts." Vom Rechnen zur Mathematik in der höheren Mädchenbildung im 19. und frühen 20. Jahrhundert

Abstract

In German girls' grammar schools in the 19th century, only Arithmetic was taught, not proper Mathematics. There was much debate in journals and newspapers of the time about whether it was possible to teach girls Mathematics in the true sense. The question was why girls should study it and how they could best learn the abstract science of Mathematics. 1908 saw the introduction of the "Abitur", the German school-leaving exam, in girls' grammar schools in Prussia. This meant that Mathematics had a place in the curriculum for the first time from 18.08.1908. All curricula in Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Baden will also be examined and their evolution shown. I will also compare the curricula offered at girls' and boys' schools. You will also find a chapter on Mathematics in boys' schools from the 18th century to 1925, the year when a curriculum was introduced that stated that all boys' programmes of study were equally applicable to girls. This forms the conclusion of my thesis.