36-146 Freshman Seminar: Statistics and Human Rights
9 units, Carnegie Mellon University
Statistical analyses can play a crucial role in understanding and combating human rights abuses. Data analyses can tell us how many people were harmed, identify patterns such as whether certain ethnic groups were targeted, and assess whether different stories are consistent with available information. However, such analyses arent always easy frequently, human rights data are biased in ways its important to understand and address. In this course, we will explore several real life case studies, examining how statisticians and other researchers are working to combat human rights abuses. Examples will include recent international criminal trials as well as work to collect data on the needs of populations in conflict and postconflict settings. Additionally, we will look at examples of how statistical data has been used to perpetrate abuses, and the need for safeguards. Students will develop an understanding of when statistical analyses are appropriate in human rights investigations and will be able to articulate what kinds of questions different types of data and analyses can answer. Additionally, they will be able to critically assess data and numbers presented in news stories and by advocacy groups and whether or not they truly support claims being made.
Prerequisites: none listed
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