The A.B. in Computer Science, Ethics & Society (CSES) enables students to combine technical training with in-depth study of the ethical, legal and policy dimensions of digital technology. Students who major in CSES become socially responsible technologists, practiced in integrating ethical concepts, frameworks and methodologies into their technical work. The program also prepares students to go into the fields of technology law, policy and ethics, with the technically literacy that’s needed to meet the contemporary moment.
A.B. and B.S. Computer Science Majors are also able to complete a Concentration in Tech, Ethics & Society. The Tech, Ethics, & Society Concentration provides a pathway for even highly technically-minded CS students to gain exposure and literacy in the ethical, legal, and social implications of their field.
Major Requirements
- Introduction to Tech/Ethics/Society (PHIL-2100)
- Computer Science I (COSC-051)
- Computer Science II (COSC-052)
- Mathematical Methods for Computer Science (COSC-030)
- Data Structures (COSC-160)
- Introduction to Algorithms (COSC-240)
- Probability and Statistics (MATH-040)
- Two COSC electives
- One Philosophy course in Digital Ethics (qualifying courses listed below)
- One course in Digital Law & Policy (qualifying courses listed below)
- Two Tech, Ethics & Society Electives, one of which may be substituted with a COSC elective. (TES Electives listed below)
- Senior Capstone
Courses in Digital Law & Policy
CCTP-6058 Global Cyber Policy
CCTP-5018 Digital Law and Policy
CCTP-6007 Free Expression and the Global Internet
CCTP-6033 Intellectual Property
CCTP-6032 Inter/Comparative Privacy & Surveillance
STIA-3334 Emerging Tech Policy
Courses in Digital Ethics
PHIL-2101 Data Ethics
PHIL-2102 Ethical Challenges of AI
PHIL-2103 Social Media & Democracy
PHIL-2201 Ethics of Privacy
PHIL-2104 Ethics of Technology
PHIL-2090 Ethics of AI and Health
Tech, Ethics & Society Electives
ANTH-2203 Human Machine Interface Anthropology
ANTH-2207 Love & Hate in the Digital Age
ANTH-2209 Anthropology of Social Media
BLST-1700 Black Social Media & Networks
BLST-Black Digital Feminisms
ENGL-4180 Death in the Digital Age
FMST-3398 Gaming and Justice
JOUR-3367 Media Law in the Digital Age
JOUR-2268 Media & Social Justice
LING-4427 Computational Corpus Linguistics
PHIL-2505 Public Policy and Technology
PSYC-4640 Children and Technology
STIA-3331 Disruptive Technologies
STIA-3491 Cybersecurity: Policy/Tech/Ops
STIA-3387 Emerging Tech & Science Fiction
STIA-4409 Sci, Tech, & Soft Power
STIA-4432 Technology and Intelligence
STIA-3334 Emerging Tech Policy
The above lists aren’t meant to be exhaustive. If students identify courses that provide significant opportunities to engage with the ethical, legal and political dimensions of digital technology, they should present them to the Director and Associate Director for approval.
Concentration in Technology, Ethics & Society
This concentration is open to both A.B. and B.S. CS majors. It requires the completion of the following three courses taken in addition to the courses already required by the respective major:
- Introduction to Tech, Ethics, and Society (PHIL-2100)
- Either: a Philosophy course in Digital Ethics, or a Digital Law & Policy course
- An additional Tech, Ethics, and Society elective