SYMPOSIUM
Mathematics and Presidential Campaigns
Friday,
October 19, 2012, 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Moot Courtroom, Law School, 2000 H St., NW, 1st floor (entrance also from Quad)
Opening Remarks: Leo Chalupa, Vice President for Research.
Keynote Speaker: John Banzhaf, Law
School, Inventor of the "Banzhaf Index of Voting Power"
Penelists: John Banzhaf, Law School, Inventor of
the "Banzhaf Index of Voting Power"
Danny Hayes, Dept of Political Science
Leonard Steinhorn, American University
Edward Turner, Dept. of
Mathematics
Daniel Ullman, Co-Author, "A Mathematical Look at
Politics"
Moderator: Yongwu Rong, Dept. of Mathematics and GWIMS.
Registration This is not required but helps us to estimate
the attendance.
Another
related event on Technology, Innovation and the 2012
Election (Part 2)
Refreshments will be served at the end
WHICH
STUDENTS SHOULD ATTEND
MATHEMATICS: Because it involves both
theoretical and practical mathematical concepts in the news, and is helpful
background for anyone who might be interested in politics
POLITICAL SCIENCE: Because anyone
interested in presidential elections should have some understanding of the
fundamentals, at least to the point of being able to interact with experts
(quants)
ECONOMICS: Because "game
theory' is a powerful tool in economic as well as political analysis, and Banzhaf is a recognized game theorist
COMPUTER SCIENCE: Because applying
information in exponentially growing political, social, and other databases
requires understanding of computer science concepts and techniques
POLITICAL MANAGEMENT: Because you
can best manage if you can understand the basic mathematics behind the analysis
and spread sheets
LAW: Because lawyers hold key
positions, and want to hold key positions, in political campaigns, and must
have some familiarity with some simple fundamental mathematical concepts
This
symposium is sponsored by the George Washington Institute for Mathematical
Sciences (GWIMS), GW Economics Department,
and GW Mathematics Department. Check http://home.gwu.edu/~rong/MathPolSymp.htm
for the latest update on the event.
How did it go? Approximately 70 people attended the symposium. Over 50 of those were students taking math courses, mostly the Mathematics and Politics course. Other participants include faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and at least one parent!