Alan Polansky is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science. This fall,
he taught, “Data and Social Justice.”
Why were you attracted to offering an Honors seminar?
“It was a chance for me to teach some material that is very important to me personally to a diverse group of students.”
How do you teach your subject or specialty to an interdisciplinary group of Honors students?
“Data is universal. Social justice is universal. Combining these topics allows students of every background to learn and appreciate the conceptual skills used in statistics and data science, motivated by important issues in social justice. These skills can be learned conceptually without technical mathematics.”
What are some of your tricks of the trade to engage students in the course materials?
“Basing the course around applications that are important to the student creates engaging personal connections with the students. Class material is based on a diverse collection of current, real research topics that many of the students find important. Writing assignments include several options for students to focus on areas that are important to them.”
What’s the best thing about teaching Honors students?
“[They are] dedicated students with genuine interest.”
