The Center for Information Technology Policy's Minor in Computing, Society and Policy began in the fall of 2026. The program is directed by Professor Aleksandra Korolova. After reviewing the minor webpages, please contact Program Coordinator Lydia Owens, [email protected], with any questions. Apply for the minor here Overview and Goals Introduction Overview The minor aims to bring its students to the cutting edge of knowledge and research on computing’s impact on individuals and society, understanding of approaches to measure such impact, and exposure to technology policy that aims to shape such impact. Computing, Society and Policy provides students with the necessary academic rigor, a diversity of perspectives, and motivation to develop and implement innovative approaches to addressing computing’s impact on society, one of the most challenging problems in computing in the service of humanity. Goals for Student Learning Students gain knowledge of the fundamental principles behind computing technologies with individual and societal impact, including foundational knowledge of AI, machine learning and data science. Further specializations within computing, e.g. to information security, human-computer interaction, and others, are at the discretion of the students. Students develop skills in technology policy, including critical thinking about computing’s impacts on individuals and society, reasoning about the ethics of computing, and understanding of the forces at play in technology policy. Prerequisites Although the program does not have any required prerequisites, students will have the greatest curricular choice if they have taken the prerequisites spanning computing and probability, such as COS 226, MAT 202, SML 201, ORF 309, ORF 245 or equivalent by the end of their junior year. Admission to the Minor Students are encouraged to apply for the minor in Computing, Society and Policy starting in the spring of the sophomore year, but no later than the spring of their junior year. Applicants should fill out the application, and then submit transcripts, their plan for prerequisite course and minor course completion by semester, discuss their motivation for participating in Computing, Society and Policy, specific areas of interest, and any challenges they anticipate in completing the minor requirements to Program Coordinator Lydia Owens, [email protected].Apply for the minor here General Requirements / Program of Study Students must take five courses from the approved lists and earn a grade of B- or better in each course (pass/fail is not allowed). With permission, advanced students can take approved 500-level and graduate-level courses. One of the courses must be from core AI, machine learning or statistical data analysis course list; two must be from core technology policy lists; and two others from the electives list. Students may use at most two courses to simultaneously satisfy their major and this minor’s requirements, and at most three courses to simultaneously satisfy another minor’s and this minor’s requirements. If the student has completed more than two courses from the “core technology policy” category, these additional courses can count towards the “elective” category. Engagement with the Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP) facilitated by the student’s minor advisor. Course Requirements One required core course A core machine learning and AI or statistical data analysis course:COS 324: Introduction to Machine LearningECE 364: Machine Learning for Predictive AnalyticsECE 435: Machine Learning and Pattern RecognitionORF 350: Analysis of Big DataSML 201: Introduction to Data ScienceSML 301: Data Intelligence: modern data science methodsSML 354: Artificial Intelligence: A hands-on Introduction Two required core technology policy courses COS 350: Ethics of ComputingCOS 351 / SPI 351 / SOC 353: Information Technology and Public PolicyCOS 352 / SPI 352: Artificial Intelligence, Law and Public PolicySPI 365: Tech/EthicsSPI 401d: Policy Seminars: Platform Regulation Two required elective courses A core computing or computing or information technology analysis course with high impact on individuals or society:AAS 339 / EGR 339: Black Mirror: Race, Technology and JusticeANT 211: Surveillance, Technoscience, and SocietyANT 238: Human, Machine, and In-Between: The Anthropology of AICOS 324: Introduction to Machine Learning (also core)COS 350: Ethics of Computing (also core tech)COS 351 / SPI 351 / SOC 353: Information Technology and Public Policy (also core tech)COS 352 / SPI 352: Artificial Intelligence, Law and Public Policy (also core tech)COS 429: Computer VisionCOS 432 / ECE 432: Information SecurityCOS 435 / ECE 433: Introduction to Reinforcement LearningCOS 436: Human-Computer InteractionCOS 445: Economics and ComputingCOS 485: Neural Networks: Theory and ApplicationECE 364: Machine Learning for Predictive Analytics (also core)ECE 435: Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition (also core)ECO 326: Economics of the Internet, the Digital RevolutionEGR 277 / SOC 277: Technology and SocietyFRE 380: TechnophobiaHIS 298: Information RevolutionsHUM 346: Introduction to Digital HumanitiesORF 350: Analysis of Big Data (also core)ORF 387: NetworksORF 401: Electronic CommerceORF 411 / ECE 411: Sequential Decision Analytics and ModelingPOL 345 / SOC 305 / SPI 211: Introduction to Quantitative Social SciencePOL 346: Applied Quantitative AnalysisSML 201: Introduction to Data Science (also core)SML 301: Data Intelligence: modern data science methods (also core)SML 354: Artificial Intelligence: A hands-on introduction (also core)SOC 204: Social NetworksSOC 215: Sociology of the InternetSOC 306 / SML 306: Machine learning with social data: Opportunities and ChallengesSOC 319 / SPI 334: Media and Public PolicySOC 382: Political Economy of the Digital SocietySOC 409 / COS 409: Critical approaches to Human-Computer InteractionSOC 409 / COS 409: Critical Approaches to Human Computer InteractionSPI 401d: Policy Seminars: Platform Regulation (also core tech)SPIA 365: Tech/Ethics (also core tech)SPI 487 / EGR 421: Reimagining Digital Public Infrastructure in India and Globally Beyond Coursework Upon admission to the program, students will select a faculty advisor from CITP-affiliated faculty. With the advisor’s guidance, the student will articulate a written proposal for their engagement with CITP beyond the coursework. Such engagement will be based on student interest, and may include contributions to CITP internal and external activities through participation in its events and reading groups (including one specifically organized for students in the minor), research, outreach or policy clinics, that are run frequently and consistently by CITP. As a capstone fellowship option, minors are welcome to apply for CITP’s Siegel Public Interest Technology Summer Fellowship Program (Siegel PIT-SF). Siegel PIT-SF is a paid 8-10 week fellowship aimed at rising juniors and seniors (open to Universities around the country) interested in getting first-hand experience working on technology policy at the federal, state, and local level. Minors of this program will get priority admission to the program if they choose to use it as their capstone fellowship.
