Mathematics of Racism

INSTRUCTOR INFO

Molly Robinson

molrob2@pdx.edu

COURSE CRN

• TBD Spring 2026

COURSE DESCRIPTION

We will explore how mathematics can be used to understand, explore, and investigate racial and social injustices in the United States. We live in a society where mathematics is at the foundation of many injustices. In " The Mathematics of Racism," you will use mathematics to explore and examine various topics that allow us to understand systemic racism in the United States. Each week we will examine either a current topic or one or more of the following topics in depth:

1. The history of systemic racism in the United States (introduction, various math topics).

2. Redlining/Gerrymandering (ratio, proportion, geometry, efficiency gap)

3. Impact of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (proportional reasoning, ratio, rate, percent) on representation in Congress.

4. Power, representation in the supreme court (linear functions, rate, ratio, graph reading)

5. Education, Overrepresentation of BIPOC in remedial math classes (ratio, proportions)

6. Ableism/Racism in classrooms (indigenous math)

7. Prisons, Overrepresentation of BIPOC in prisons (ratio, proportions)

8. Pay and wealth gap

9. What’s the risk? For whom? (Comparing risks across different groups, Probability & Stats)

10. Representation on Google, Hey Google who is a mathematician? A doctor? Etc.

Course Goals:

We will work on understanding the situation of Portland in depth and share our

understanding with community partners.

CONTACT INFO

Molly Robinson, molrob2@pdx.edu