Social Implications of Mathematics

Explore the social implications of mathematics in connection to topics such as poverty reduction, climate justice, predatory lending, predictive policing software, public health, racial bias in artificial intelligence, deepfakes and echo chambers.

In this multi-disciplinary course, ethical dilemmas are considered through the lens of the academic discipline of Peace Studies. Students engage with the material through reading, writing, discussion, presentations and group work; students are not asked to do any computation.

Open to students from first year up, from all faculties and levels of comfort (or discomfort) with mathematics.

Held with PACS 290. Students may register using either course code. If you encounter any barriers to registering, please email jakoelle@uwaterloo.ca

Student testimonial: "This has been one of my most engaging electives so far. Every week, I actually looked forward to doing the readings, because they would be on subjects that are important and interesting to me. We were able to have well thought-out and active discussion on these topics. This really helped me be more conscientious about the various ways in which my future work could have ill (and positive) effect, and I am really glad I took it.”

Below is a tentative course outline for the 2025 offering; dates may change. Also find a bibliography of typical course readings.