Technology and International Affairs
Technology plays a vital role in shaping international affairs and diplomatic issues ranging from energy policy and disease prevention to cybersecurity and nuclear proliferation. The potential benefits and perils of technological innovation are at the heart of many of the most critical ongoing international debates, which in turn require diplomats, scholars, and experts who are well versed in both the technical details and policy implications of these issues. This field takes an interdisciplinary approach to training students in technology policy by introducing them to the intersection of emerging technologies and global affairs through the lens of both international relations and scientific and technological innovation. With a particular emphasis on issues of Internet policy and energy policy, this field enables students to explore the ways that scientific developments have altered the global landscape and become pivotal to resolving international disputes and forging new diplomatic relations.
Field Advisor(s)
Research Centers
The Edward R. Murrow Center for a Digital World
Hitachi Center for Technology and International Affairs
Center for International Environment and Resource Policy
Field Requirements
MALD and MIB students are required to take the introductory course to the field and to complete at least three other courses in the field in any track.
MGA students are required to take the introductory course to the field and to take five other courses in the field. MGA students may complete a single track or take classes from multiple tracks.
MALD and MIB: 4 courses
MGA: 6 courses
Total Credits Required
MALD: 12.0 credits
MGA: 18.0 credits plus Practicum
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DHP P235 Technology and Public Policy
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MALD and MIB
In addition to the core course, students should take three courses listed in the Track Requirements section.
MGA
In addition to the core course, student should take five courses listed in the Track Requirements section
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One skills course is required for the MGA. MALD and MIB students may not use these courses as a field elective unless otherwise indicated above.
DHP D208M Research Methods and Scholarship
DHP D218 Influencing Policy and the Global Debate: Writing Analysis and Opinion
DHP D220 Processes of International Negotiation
DHP D225 Conflict Resolution Practice
DHP D243M Overview of Survey Methods
DHP D245M Working in Difficult Research Environments with Vulnerable Populations: Advanced Field Research Methods
DHP D258 Introduction to Data Science for Global Applications
DHP P203 Analytic Frameworks for International Public Policy Decisions
DHP P207 GIS for International Applications
DHP P225 Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation
DHP P234 The Arts of Communication
DHP P250 Environmental Problem Solving
DHP P289 Advanced Geospatial Modeling
EIB B205 Data Analysis and Statistical Methods
EIB B206 Data Analysis and Statistical Methods for Business
EIB B262 Marketing Research and Analysis
EIB B291 Leadership Building Teams, Organizations, and Shaping Your Path
EIB E210M Quantitative Methods
EIB E213 Econometrics
EIB E214 International Economic Policy Analysis
EIB E247 Econometric Impact Evaluation for Development
ILO L200 International Legal Order
ILO L201 Public International Law
ILO L215 Ethics in the Practice of Foreign Affairs
ILO L262 Foreign Relations and National Security Law
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A practicum is required for MGA students.
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- Cyber Policy
- International Information and Communication
- Technology and Sustainable Development
Cyber Policy
What new risks and threats have computers introduced and how can those best be mitigated without unnecessarily impeding the innovation and growth of the tech sector? The cyber policy track focuses on the Internet and other computer-based technologies and their policy implications, including the impacts on privacy, the civil sector, the developing world, international conflict, and law. Courses in this track range from cybersecurity, encryption, and digital surveillance to artificial intelligence, economics of information security, and cyber risk management. While no technical background is necessary for this track, the courses include some training in the fundamental technological underpinnings of computer technologies, including a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of Internet architecture, cryptography, and machine learning. Students in this track will also have the option to take courses cross-listed with the computer science department for a deeper dive into the technologies.
MALD and MIB
Required course:
DHP P235 Technology and Public Policy
Choose one:
DHP P236 Cyber in the Civilian Sector: Threats and Upheavals
DHP P237 Privacy in the Digital Age
DHP P249 International Cyber Conflict
ILO L235 Cyberlaw and Cyberpolicy
Choose two:
DHP D219 Diplomacy in the Global Information Age
DHP D290 Cyber Risk Management
DHP D291 Computer Science for Future Policymakers
DHP D292 How Systems Work
DHP D293 How Systems Fail
DHP P236 Cyber in the Civil Sector: Threats and Upheavals
DHP P237 Privacy in the Digital Age
DHP P238 Technology, Development and Regulation
DHP P249 International Cyber Conflict
DHP P264 Artificial Intelligence: Algorithms, Ethics and Policy
ILO L200 International Legal Order
ILO L201 Public International Law
ILO L235 Cyberlaw and Cyberpolicy
ILO L262 Foreign Relations and National Security Law
CS 129 Computing in Developing Countries
MGA
Required course:
DHP P235 Technology and Public Policy
Choose two:
DHP P236 Cyber in the Civilian Sector: Threats and Upheavals
DHP P237 Privacy in the Digital Age
DHP P249 International Cyber Conflict
ILO L235 Cyberlaw and Cyberpolicy
Choose two:
DHP D219 Diplomacy in the Global Information Age
DHP D290 Cyber Risk Management
DHP D291 Computer Science for Future Policymakers
DHP D292 How Systems Work
DHP D293 How Systems Fail
DHP P231 International Communication
DHP P236 Cyber in the Civilian Sector: Threats and Upheavals
DHP P237 Privacy in the Digital Age
DHP P238 Technology, Development and Regulation
DHP P249 International Cyber Conflict
DHP P256 Innovation for Sustainable Prosperity
DHP P264 Artificial Intelligence: Algorithms, Ethics and Policy
ILO L200 International Legal Order
ILO L201 Public International Law
ILO L235 Cyberlaw and Cyberpolicy
ILO L262 Foreign Relations and National Security Law
CS 129 Computing in Developing Countries
Choose one:
DHP D220 Processes of International Negotiation
DHP P203 Analytic Frameworks for International Public Policy Decisions
DHP P244 Modern Terrorism and Counterterrorism
EIB B252 Corporate Social Responsibility in the Age of Globalization
EIB E213 Econometrics
ILO L211 Current Issues in Human Rights
International Information and Communication
International information and communication is a critical component of international affairs and at the heart of how people of different nations perceive the world and each other. By its very nature, this track is interdisciplinary by its nature, and our curriculum emphasizes the political economy, policy, industry, and civil society perspectives. The track explores both the infrastructure and content of information and communication, and the interactions between them, covering the Internet ecosystem, different forms of media, their governance and their relationship to states, and many areas of information policy. In addition to learning about the role of international information and communication in international affairs, students will learn about the economic, political, policy, and technology forces that both enable and constrain different forms of communication. They will also become familiar with many theoretical frameworks and analytic techniques commonly used in the many branches of international communication. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong background to confront the new policy, political, diplomacy, development, security, governance, and business challenges they will encounter in their careers from an informed analytic perspective.
MALD and MIB
Required courses:
DHP P235 Technology and Public Policy
DHP P231 International Communication
Choose one (optional):
DHP D216M Networks, Analytics, and Organizations I
DHP D217M Networks, Analytics, and Organizations II
DHP D218 Influencing Policy and the Global Debate: Writing Analysis and Opinion
DHP D258 Introduction to Data Science for Global Applications
DHP P207 GIS for International Applications
Choose up to two (required):
DHP D204 United States Public Diplomacy
DHP D290 Cyber Risk Management
DHP D291 Cyber for Future Policymakers
DHP P236 Cyber in the Civilian Sector: Threats and Upheavals
DHP P237 Privacy in the Digital Age
DHP P238 Technology, Development and Regulation
DHP P244 Modern Terrorism and Counterterrorism
DHP P249 International Cyber Conflict
EIB B241 Financial Inclusion: A Method for Development
EIB B252 Corporate Social Responsibility in the Age of Globalization
ILO L200 International Legal Order
ILO L201 Public International Law
ILO L211 Current Issues in Human Rights
ILO L235 Cyberlaw and Cyberpolicy
ILO L262 Foreign Relations and National Security Law
CS 129 Computing in Developing Countries
MGA
Required courses:
DHP P235 Technology and Public Policy
DHP P231 International Communication
Choose one or two:
DHP D216M Networks, Analytics, and Organizations I
DHP D217M Networks, Analytics, and Organizations I
DHP D218 Influencing Policy and the Global Debate: Writing Analysis and Opinion
DHP P203 Analytic Frameworks for International Public Policy Decisions
DHP P207 GIS for International Applications
DHP New Introduction to Data Science for Global Applications
Choose up to three:
DHP D204 United States Public Diplomacy
DHP D290 Cyber Risk Management
DHP D291 Cyber for Future Policymakers
DHP P236 Cyber in the Civilian Sector: Threats and Upheavals
DHP P237 Privacy in the Digital Age
DHP P238 Technology, Development and Regulation
DHP P244 Modern Terrorism and Counterterrorism
DHP P249 International Cyber Conflict
EIB B252 Corporate Social Responsibility in the Age of Globalization
EIB B241 Financial Inclusion: A Method for Development
EIB B242 Innovation Models for Building Inclusive Businesses
ILO L200 International Legal Order
ILO L201 Public International Law
ILO L211 Current Issues in Human Rights
ILO L235 Cyberlaw and Cyberpolicy
ILO L262 Foreign Relations and National Security Law
CS 129 Computing in Developing Countries
Technology and Sustainable Development
With the rapid introduction of technology into lower and middle-income countries over the course of the past two decades, households’ and firms’ access to information, financial services and public services has substantially changed. Overall, technology has allowed individuals to communicate information over large distances and at lower costs; governments to provide information on a number of issues; and firms to observe household behavior and preferences and offer better products. Overall, the growth of technology has substantial potential to improve people’s lives and livelihoods. Yet the key question is whether or not the potential of technology lives up to the “hype”. In other words, has technology reduced welfare outcomes as predicted? Has it affected particular groups differently? If it hasn’t had the intended effects, why? And what is the role of policy and private-public partnerships? The technology and sustainable development track cover a range of topics, from different types of technologies (mobile phones, computer, radio, Internet, renewable energy, electric vehicles, nuclear power) to different types of groups (households, firms, individuals) and different domains (agriculture, economics, environmental policy, amongst others). While no technical background is necessary for this track, the courses include some training in the foundation of solid policy analysis, including identifying key market failures to technology adoption, reviewing the costs and benefits of different public and private interventions, and designing effective policies.
MALD and MIB
In addition to the core course, students should take two courses from the list below.
DHP P203 Analytic Frameworks for Public Policy Decisions
DHP P207 GIS for International Applications
DHP P238 Technology, Development, and Regulation
DHP P254 Climate Change Law and Policy
DHP P255 International Energy Policy
DHP P256 Innovation for Sustainable Prosperity
EIB E241 Innovation for Sustainable Prosperity
ILO L200 International Legal Order
ILO L201 Public International Law
ILO L262 Foreign Relations and National Security Law
MGA
In addition to the core course, student should take any four courses from the list below.
DHP P203 Analytic Frameworks for Public Policy Decisions
DHP P207 GIS for International Applications
DHP P238 Technology, Development, and Regulation
DHP P254 Climate Change Law and Policy
DHP P255 International Energy Policy
DHP P256 Innovation for Sustainable Prosperity
EIB E241 Development Economics: Policy Analysis
ILO L200 International Legal Order
ILO L201 Public International Law
ILO L262 Foreign Relations and National Security Law
