Data and the Liberal Arts Edge

Is Data Science a Liberal Art? And How do I Bring my Liberal

Arts Background to Work?

Matthew R. WaljeGeorge J. Mount

Who am I?• Analyst by Trade– Marine Corps – Oceans Beyond Piracy

• Liberal Arts Educated– William Jewell College– University of Denver,

Josef Korbel School of International Studies

Is data science a liberal art?

Yes…in the sense that

all science is a liberal art

Data Science

Everyone who does this is a scientist.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method

Science IS part of a liberal arts education.

Data science… just another science?

Liberal arts as problem framing

Liberal arts is a multi-angle attack

Liberal arts and the falling tree in the forest

Resources• George J. Mount,

“Is Data Science a Liberal Art?”• Adam Weinberg, “

Data Analytics and the Liberal Arts”• Andrew S. Yang,

“Science as a Matter of (Liberal) Art”

What Liberal Arts Means• “An approach to learning that

empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change.”

• Broad range of knowledge coupled with practical skills such as communication, analytical and problem-solving skills, and a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings.– The Association of American

Colleges and Universities

A Liberal Arts background gives you the flexibility to

identify new ways to use the tools at your disposal to find creative solutions to complex

and pressing problems.

A Few Examples• Challenging

Assumptions as a junior analyst.

• Discovering new data sources for tracking ships.

• Borrowing models from other disciplines, Pirates as Viruses.

Programs like Excel can be learned. They are tools. It is much, much harder to teach someone how to think, and to give them a broad range

of experiences.

Where to Find Us

@Matt_Walje

WaljeMR@gmail.com

/matthew-walje-7aa83a3a

Matthew R. WaljeGeorge J. Mount

@Matt_Walje @gjmount

@gjmount

/gjmount

georgejmount.com