Philosophy

Group of students in an active learning environment.

Students in this Data Mine cohort will learn to recognize, explore and apply philosophical methods and approaches to data science. Through close readings of Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid, students will develop enhanced information literacy skills that will enable them to use GIS mapping to project the routes of travel and migration depicted within. Through textual engagement and critical analysis, students will also explore the socio-cultural ramifications in income inequality. The technical skills learned from these projects can later be used to analyze complex, fluid systems of content or human migration and analyze contemporary data issues.

Current Purdue students are able to apply for 2020-21 learning communities from October 1, 2019 until January 31, 2020. Incoming students to Purdue can apply beginning January 15, 2020.

Eligibility

Any undergraduate student with interest in the Data Sciences (first-year students and continuing students are both welcome)

Residential Component

  • Students from this learning community must reside in Hillenbrand Hall
  • Students who are required to reside in a different residence hall (e.g., due to the Honors College or athletics participation), or who do not sign a housing contract, may not participate in The Data Mine
  • Your roommate (in most cases) will be a member of The Data Mine
  • It is necessary to complete a housing contract, to participate in The Data Mine. (Completing a housing contract is a separate process from applying for a learning community.)

Duration

Fall and Spring semesters

Required classes for students who will be new, incoming First-Year students when participating in The Data Mine

The information below is subject to change. If you are placed in The Data Mine, the associated courses will be placed on your schedule (by Learning Communities and the Registrar's Office) prior to you registering for the rest of your courses.

Fall
  • PHIL 12000 (3 credit; section 002: CRN 15851) Critical Thinking: Philosophy of Data
  • POL 30000 (3 credits; section 005: CRN 15358) Introduction To Political Analysis
  • SCLA 10100 (3 credits; section 012: CRN 20664) Transformative Texts, Critical Thinking And Communication I: Antiquity To Modernity
  • STAT 19000 (1 credit; 5 sections available) The Data Mine I
Spring
  • PHIL 20800 (1 credit; first 8 weeks of spring semester; CRN 13857) seminar to be entitled Ethics of Data Science
  • STAT 19000 (1 credit; 4 sections available) The Data Mine II

Events and Activities Included

  • Weekly dinners with Data Mine participants
  • Faculty and graduate student office hours onsite in Hillenbrand
  • Seminars by visiting speakers, including practicing data scientists
  • Social gatherings with Data Mine members
  • Meals with campus and community leaders
  • Game / recreation nights
  • Career and graduate school panels
  • Hackathons / data competitions
  • Professional development activities
  • Tour of Purdue's computational facilities
Current Purdue students are able to apply for 2020-21 learning communities from October 1, 2019 until January 31, 2020. Incoming students to Purdue can apply beginning January 15, 2020.