Tech Policy Minor

This program will be open to all undergraduate students, regardless of major. It is intended for students seeking a deeper understanding of how technology influences society and how policy decisions shape the development and use of technological systems.

Through this minor, students will examine the social, political, philosophical, and economic implications of emerging and established technologies. The curriculum will equip students with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to assess and articulate the multitude of complex relationships between technology and public policy.

This minor is well suited for students interested in how decisions about technology are made and who wish to contribute to guiding technological innovation in a thoughtful and responsible manner.

Curriculum

2 required courses: 1.Introduction to Public Policy (PUBPOL 155) and 2.Policy Choice as a Value Conflict (PUBPOL 302)

3 electives (one at the 500-699 level)

Approved Electives

Not all electives will be offered every semester

PUBPOL Electives (some may be cross-listed)

PUBPOL 255 Intro to Cyber Policy
PUBPOL 290S AI Journalism Lab
PUBPOL 343 Data and Investigative Journalism
PUBPOL 358 Global Apple
PUBPOL 372 Information, Technology and Policy
PUBPOL 552 Cybersecurity and Health Data Policy
PUBPOL 555 Global Politics of AI
PUBPOL 586 Human-Centered Security and Privacy
PUBPOL 586 Usable Security
PUBPOL 590 AI, Ethics, and Creative Economy Policy*
PUBPOL 590 China and Technology Policy*
PUBPOL 590 Communications Policy*
PUBPOL 590 Deep Tech & Sustainability Policy*
PUBPOL 590 Design in Technology Policy*
PUBPOL 590 Digital Opportunity and Literacy*
PUBPOL 590 Identity and Access Management Policy*
PUBPOL 590 Technology and Trade Policy*
PUBPOL 590 Verification and Identity*
PUBPOL 590S Digital Democracy*
PUBPOL 590S Governing AI*
PUBPOL 614 Privacy and Ethical Decision Making
PUBPOL 614 Privacy: Concepts and Culture Informing Law and Policy
PUBPOL 690 Innovation, Politics & Society*

Other Electives

COMPSCI 240, GSF 242, and AAAS 242: Race, Gender, Class, & Computing
CYBERSEC 510 Security Incident Detection, Response, and Resilience
SCISOC 590 AI & Financial Services Policy*

*Special Topics course

Courses not listed must be approved by Prof. Hoffman and Prof. Rogerson.

How to Add the Minor

Per Duke Registrar:

Academic Plan Change: Self-Service

Eligible Trinity and Pratt undergraduate students may add, change, or delete their plans (majors, minors, certificates, or concentrations) via the Academic Plan Change form in DukeHub, except the following groups of students:

Undeclared students: will have access once completing all items with their academic advisor.
Trinity seniors in their graduating semester: contact the Trinity Graduation Staff.
Pratt seniors: email prattdom@duke.edu.
UNC Robertson Scholars: contact the Robertson Scholars Office.
IDM and Program II students: student-originated IDM and Program II plans require plan changes to be submitted via administrative form.

See this help guide for more information.

If you have NOT yet declared your major, you can add it to the major declaration form when you declare.