MATH 318 - Mathematical Contributions to Modern Society

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-5; Social Justice
Math 318 examines the contributions of mathematics to modern society with a focus on how math impacts and informs movements for social justice and equity. Contemporary ideas in mathematics, how they are developed, understood, and deployed, will be explored within political, cultural, and social contexts. Topics may include linear regression, game theory, voting systems, mathematical notions of fairness in the context of resource allocation or machine learning, and financial mathematics.

Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-5 - Upper Division Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning, Overlay - Social Justice
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas 1A, 1B, 1C and GE-2 with grade C- (CR) or better (GE Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division GE Area 5 (Areas B1-B3 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Credit Restrictions: Not for mathematics major or minor credit.

Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Course Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Use mathematical ideas to explain, explore, and describe how math impacts modern issues of social justice and equity verbally, symbolically, visually, and numerically.
Represent current challenges in American politics, culture, and society, especially those that impact, influence, and obstruct creating and sustaining a just and equitable society, using mathematical models.
Apply advanced quantitative reasoning to develop conjectures, and to formulate and judge the validity of approaches and arguments. Develop rigorous, mathematically valid arguments to describe and address challenges to a socially just and equitable communit

GE-UD-5. Upper-division Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate advanced and/or focused science or quantitative content knowledge in a specific scientific field, using appropriate vocabulary and referencing appropriate concepts (such as models, uncertainties, hypotheses, theories, and
Apply advanced quantitative skills (such as statistics, algebraic solutions, interpretation of graphical data) to scientific problems and evaluate scientific claims.
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and scientific inquiry and the experimental and empirical methodologies used in science to investigate a scientific question or issue.
Apply science content knowledge to contemporary scientific issues (e.g., global warming) and technologies (e.g., cloning), where appropriate.

Social Justice Overlay Learning Outcomes
1: Use a disciplinary perspective to analyze issues of social justice and equity.

2: Describe the challenges to achieving social justice.

3: Identify ways in which individuals and/or groups can contribute to social justice within local communities, nations, and/or the world.