This course will introduce you to quantitative literacy, critical thinking, and problem solving skills in socially relevant contexts. While students may be accustomed to thinking about mathematics as an abstract set of principles and proofs, this course will encourage thinking about mathematics in concrete contexts as a way to improve our communities and the world. Students will develop the ability and inclination to understand and develop realistic solutions to issues of social, political, and economic justice. Examples of specific topics include: the Flint water crisis, sea level change in an island community, gerrymandering, and racial bias in policing. The mathematical tools used will include basic statistics, modeling, and data analysis, among others. While most students in this class will be ''good at math,'' this class explores using math to do good.
Prereq: Math 1272 or instructor consent