Curriculum

Our courses are designed to keep up with the changing world of technology, teaching, and content. They combine technical skills with an understanding of society, policy, and ethics, helping students manage the connections between technology and policy in different fields.

Flexible Options

The program provides flexible modality options, letting students choose between in-person and online synchronous. This approach ensures a tailored and cohesive learning experience that leverages the strengths of both in-person and online components.

Required Courses (6)

Technology in Context

This course examines the development and impact of technology within historical, social, and cultural contexts, drawing on theories from Science and Technology Studies (STS). Students will explore how technology shapes and is shaped by society through frameworks like Actor-Network Theory, Technological Determinism, and the Social Construction of Technology. Using case studies and critical analysis, the course explores the relationship between technology, politics, culture, power, and identity, while also considering the ethical, societal, and political implications of technological advances. By the end, students will gain a deeper understanding of how technologies evolve within broader socio-cultural forces.

Current Trends in Technology: Innovation Across Research and Industry

In this seminar-style graduate course, you'll dive into the latest technological innovations and their impact on research, industry, and policy. Weekly presentations by experts from academia, industry, and government will cover cutting-edge fields like AI, nanotechnology, cryptocurrency, educational technology, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and blockchain. You'll explore the challenges, opportunities, and societal implications of these technologies, while engaging in discussions on their intersection with policy, ethics, and regulation. By critically assessing emerging technologies, you'll develop a comprehensive understanding of how they are reshaping industries and influencing global public policy.

Technology, Psychology, and Education Across Cultures

This graduate-level course explores the relationship between technology, psychology, and education across different cultural contexts. Students will examine how technology influences learning, cognitive development, and educational systems, considering cultural values, practices, and societal structures. Topics include the impact of digital technologies on education, cultural variations in educational tools, and the psychological effects of technology-mediated learning. The course includes comparative studies from both Western and non-Western perspectives, highlighting how culture shapes the integration of technology in education. Through case studies and research discussions, students will learn how to use technology in culturally responsive ways to enhance education and psychological well-being.

Technology, Emotions, and Social Relationships

How is technology shaping our social and emotional lives? How do our emotions and social interactions shape technology? And can AI ever truly understand what we are feeling? These are some of the mysteries that we will seek to unravel in this interdisciplinary course. We will discuss foundational scientific theories and the latest empirical studies, combine lectures with small-group discussions, and experiment, write, collaborate, and imagine together.

Foundations of Technology Policy: Global Perspectives

You'll explore key concepts and challenges in global technology policy, focusing on how technology impacts societies, economies, and political systems worldwide. Students examine issues like data privacy, cybersecurity, AI ethics, digital sovereignty, and the digital divide, with attention to both developed and developing nations. The course also covers the roles of international organizations, governments, and multinational corporations in shaping tech policy. Through case studies and comparative analysis, you'll learn how different countries approach tech regulation and the barriers to equitable policy development. By the end, you'll be well-prepared to engage with the global challenges and opportunities posed by technological advancements.

Navigating Data Governance: Tools and Techniques for Tech Policy Professionals

This practical course provides you with the tools and strategies to navigate the complexities of data governance. Through case studies, hands-on activities, and expert discussions, you'll explore key frameworks, ethical issues, and regulatory requirements in data management across industries. You'll learn best practices for ensuring data privacy, integrity, and compliance, as well as how to develop policies for responsible data use. By the end, graduates will be prepared to tackle data governance challenges and help create effective and fair tech policies.

Elective Courses (3 Required)

Digital Technologies & Community Opportunity Mapping

Students explore how cities, school districts, and community groups leverage new digital technologies and platforms to expand opportunities for residents. You'll review literature on digital innovation in community contexts and learn about cutting-edge tools and initiatives, with a particular focus on the Chicago area. The course includes an in-depth history of the Digital Youth Network and examines how communities, schools, cities, and tech companies collaborate to expand opportunities for marginalized residents. Through case studies and practical projects, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how sociotechnical approaches can map and address community needs.

Data Mining and Policy Making

You'll dive deep into data mining techniques and how to apply them when crafting policy. Content includes the data mining tool chain, including data preprocessing, machine learning algorithms, AI applications, and data analytics. The course emphasizes practical skills and trains students to leverage these tools to analyze policy issues, develop evidence-based solutions, and assess the influence of policies through data-driven insights.

Adulthood and Aging OR Child and/or Adolescent Development

Taught from the life span perspective, this course assumes that development is not completed with adolescence but continues throughout all of life. We also believe that race, ethnicity, class and gender affect development. The topics covered will help you understand the major developmental issues of adulthood, from the present through middle and old age and to the end of life.

Brain, Development, and Education

We'll explore the complex relationships between neurological processes, developmental milestones, and educational outcomes. Grounded in the latest research from cognitive neuroscience and developmental psychology, the class provides a deep understanding of how the brain develops from infancy through adolescence and how these processes influence learning, behavior, and academic achievement. We will examine critical topics such as neuroplasticity, the impact of stress and environment on brain development, the neurobiological bases of learning, and the implications of neuroscience for educational policy and practice. This course will foster an interdisciplinary perspective on how to support the cognitive and emotional needs of students, looking to bridge the gap between brain science and education.

Culture and Development

This course explores how culture shapes human development, including behavior, thinking, and biology. You’ll learn about cultural similarities and differences, why they exist, and how they influence areas like emotions, family, and learning. Topics include self-identity, motivation, and cultural change, drawing on research from psychology, anthropology, and neuroscience.

Emotional Mysteries

Classrooms, work settings, and family relations are hotbeds of emotion. But what is an emotion? What happens in our bodies when an emotion is triggered? How can emotions help us live productive, healthy, and connected lives? And can we ever truly understand what somebody else is feeling? These are some of the mysteries that we will seek to unravel in this course. We will read literature from Darwin to the latest scientific studies, combine lectures and small-group discussions, conduct research experiments, and engage in peer review and online collaboration.

Policies in Practice

This elective focuses on how policies affect people’s daily lives. Students will study real-life examples and do hands-on research to see how policies work in practice and how they impact communities. The course helps students understand the human side of policy decisions, offering valuable skills for research careers.

AI Policy and/or Politics of Tech Policymaking

This course looks at how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping society and how policies are being developed to address its impact. Students will explore important issues like privacy, security, ethics, and bias in AI systems, while learning about how different countries and organizations handle AI policy. Through real-world examples and discussions, students will understand the challenges and opportunities of AI and learn how to create policies that encourage innovation while protecting fairness and public interest.

AI, Equity, and Public Education

You study the history of technology in schools and how new developments in artificial intelligence (AI) are changing K-12 education. Students will explore how educational tools have evolved, how AI is affecting teaching and learning, and what AI policies mean for fairness and access in education. Using real-world examples, the course helps students understand both the benefits and challenges of AI in schools today.

Capstone Project

The Capstone Project in Technology, People, and Policy is a hands-on, final course designed to bridge academic learning with real-world tech policy practice. Students are placed in one of four sectors—tech industry, research labs, non-profits, or government offices—where they work on a relevant, practical tech policy project. Throughout the course, students engage in weekly class sessions to discuss their progress, share insights, and receive feedback from faculty and peers. By applying concepts and frameworks from the curriculum, students refine their projects, which culminate in a final presentation to the MTEPP community, showcasing their contributions and learning.