FYS 1049 MATHEMATICS AND DEMOCRACY

An exploration of the ways in which mathematics can be used to understand representative democracies.  This seminar investigates various voting systems, the drawing of district maps, and the apportionment of congressional seats, among other topics. The course employs a wide range of mathematical perspectives, such as logic and proof, geometrical reasoning, and data analysis. Although mathematical methods cannot determine when a system is fully equitable, this seminar aims to illustrate the utility of mathematics in detecting inequity.