MAT 1960 - ANALYZING FAIRNESS, EQUITY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

credits: 3.0
How do we as a society determine whether or not something like an election outcome or a redistricting of a state is “fair”? How do equity, social justice, and political considerations come into play? How can mathematical tools be used to help make these decisions? This interdisciplinary course will explore these questions in depth. In particular, the unit on voting theory will involve working with voter preference tables to determine the winner of an election, the unit on fair division theory will involve working with a visual preference diagram to determine how to allocate resources so that each person or group gets what they prefer, and the unit on redistricting will combine numerical information, visual diagrams, and sociopolitical considerations to create a redistricting plan that is “the most fair.” Will incorporate both guest lectures from and discussions with faculty across the college. Objectives: A) Use numerical voter preference tables to determine the winner according to several different voting methods; B) Use visual preference diagrams to determine a fair division for three parties; C) Describe the process of redistricting for voting districts; D) Define racial gerrymandering and partisan gerrymandering and describe some of the sociopolitical issues and Supreme Court cases surrounding the topic of redistricting; E) Use mathematics to redistrict a simplified region given simplified numerical and geometric constraints; F) Use technology to redistrict a real-life region given real-life numerical and geometric constraints; G) Synthesize numerical information, geometric information, and sociopolitical considerations to create a “fair” redistricting and provide written and oral arguments that support their redistricting plan. Method of Instruction: Mini-lectures, group work, and class discussion. Method of Evaluation: Reading/Writing Assignments 25%, Quizzes 25%, Written Homework Assignments 25%, and Redistricting Project (written report and oral presentation). Meets *MQR Distribution Requirements.

Prerequisite(s): ALEKS placement score of at least 30 or successful completion of Essential Math Skills (or equivalent).