Thursdays, 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern, 15 weeks, starting August 27.
What does math have to do with politics? Okay, I mean, theres the obvious – votes have to be counted. But what if we voted differently? What if we ranked our choices? And how many people do elected representatives actually represent anyway? Is it fair? Should it be? How do congressional districts get drawn anyway? And how do those votes in Congress or Parliament or whatever representative system work anyway? How should they work? Do parties matter? What does the Supreme Court have to do with any of this anyway? What about international organizations like NATO? Do they represent me? If we change a system’s math, what are the political implications? Wait, what does it mean to win an election anyway? Are all of our elections about representative democracy, or do we have any direct democracy left? Who made these decisions about our voting anyway, and why?
Got any other questions? We can add them to the mix. This class will examine election math – how do we choose those meant to lead and represent our interests? What math has affected that choice before we even make it? What mathematical issues lie at the heart of social choice? We’ll explore voting theory, apportionment, redistricting, polling, and other intersections of mathematics, politics, and decision making. The focus will e on US systems, but specific focus will be given to each student’s lived experience as well, and we will examine international systems. Cross systems comparisons – such as Congress vs Parliament, will also be made. A culminating action project, such as a letter to a representative or a proposal for a new system, will be shared on the final day of class.
Classes will be held weekly on Zoom. Access to spreadsheet software (even Google sheets) is necessary, with a preference for Excel. Some light homework will be important as homework will set up the mathematical issues to be discussed in class.
Day 1 – introduction to Election Math
Day 2 – Apportionment and representative democracy, cross cultural comparisons
Day 3 – Apportionment methods 1 – historical lens
Day 4 – Apportionment methods 2, Electoral College, the 2016 presidential election analysis
Day 5 – District drawing and gerrymandering, an examination of the problems
Day 6 – Redistricting using mathematics to address gerrymandering
Day 7 -Introduction to ranked ballots
Day 8– Ranked ballot analysis 1
Day 9 – Ranked ballot analysis 2, Approval method of voting
Day 10 – Cross cultural analysis – party systems, government design, and voting, international systems
Day 11 –Voter turnout issues and democracy
Day 12 – Local politics and local elections
Day 13 – The court system and voting
Day 14 – Polling issues
Day 15 – Sharing of action projects
Class will not meet on US Thanksgiving, November 26.
