Mathematics 131GM - Explorations in Mathematics: 'Games, Systems, and Strategic Thinking'

Board games have a long history of use as both entertainment and as a training ground for higher-level reasoning and analysis. Recent innovations in board game design have produced games (so-called euro-style games) that are mathematically sophisticated and embody systems that model different aspects of reality. In this course we will use board games to explore and analyze different mathematical systems and structures as well as to develop and apply skills in strategic thinking. Topics will include probability, modeling, and network theory.