Mathematics and Democracy

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Luther College Professor of Mathematics and fellow Decorah Rotarian Phil Iversen will be offering information on a new class he is teaching at Luther College called "Mathematics and Democracy." The class provides another option for students to satisfy the Data Literacy requirement in the new Core Curriculum. A key premise for the class is that understanding basic but important mathematical concepts and calculations can help a person become a more engaged and effective citizen in a democracy. Topics include (1) measuring how democratic different countries are, (2) preference ballots and ranked choice voting, (3) weighted voting (e.g., the Electoral College), (4) voting districts, (5) gerrymandering, and (6) economic indicators.

Phil joined the mathematics faculty at Luther in 2017 after a previous career as an applied statistician in the pharmaceutical industry. His professional interests include statistical education, multi-factor design of experiments, data visualization, Bayesian methods, and statistical applications in the physical sciences. His hobbies include carpentry and home remodeling, trumpet, bicycling, and knitting. His spouse Sarah is owner and operator of Blue Heron Knittery in downtown Decorah.

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**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.