Minor in Political Science, Security, and Technology
The Minor in Political Science, Security, and Technology is designed for students who are majoring in fields from the arts and humanities to science, engineering, and computer science. Adding a new dimension to their major field of study, these students will gain the background and knowledge to address the ethical, social, and political dimensions of new technologies from a political science perspective.
Rationale
The minor in Political Science, Security, and Technology takes a social science (not technical) approach to studying emerging technologies that affect war and peace. There is no better place to study security and technology than Carnegie Mellon University, a thought leader in global and national security issues, policies, and strategies related to digital technologies. CMU students are uniquely poised to influence the future, with cutting-edge research happening across campus in all the relevant technological areas--e.g., machine learning, cybersecurity, robotics, big data, neuroscience, human-computer interaction, human enhancement, synthetic biology, and various types of artificial intelligence.
In completing this course of study, Carnegie Mellon undergraduates will learn how to analyze the political, economic, social, and ethical dimensions of new technologies, equipping themselves to contribute to vital political debates and influence technological developments in the public interest.
Students may double count a maximum of two courses with another major or minor. Unlimited double counting is permitted with General Education requirements.
Curriculum
Curriculum (63 units)
Political Science Core (18 units)
Students must complete:
| 84-226 | International Relations | 9 |
Students must complete one of the following courses:
| 84-104 | Decision Processes in American Political Institutions | 9 |
| 84-275 | Comparative Politics | 9 |
Security and Technology Core
Students must complete:
| 84-274 | An Introduction to Technology and War (formerly 84-374 Technology, Weapons, and International Conflict) |
9 |
Students must complete 36 units from the following list of courses:
| 84-350 | A Strategist's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 9 |
| 84-363 | Click. Hack. Rule: Understanding the Power & Peril of Cyber Conflict | 9 |
| 84-370 | Nuclear Security & Arms Control | 9 |
| 84-372 | Space and National Security | 9 |
| 84-373 | Emerging Technologies and International Law | 9 |
| 84-381 | International Governance of Artificial Intelligence (future course offering) | 9 |
| 84-383 | Cyber Policy as National Policy | 6 |
| 84-387 | Remote Systems and the Cyber Domain in Conflict | 9 |
| 84-388 | Concepts of War and Cyber War | 6 |
| 84-390 | Social Media, Technology, and Conflict | 9 |
| 84-405 | The Future of Warfare | 9 |
| 84-3xx |
International Law and Ethics of Technology and Security (future course offering) |
|
| 84-3xx | The Ethical and Security Implications of Synthetic Biology (future course offering) | |
| 84-3xx | The Development and Diffusion of Military Technologies (future course offering) | |
| 84-3xx | Emerging Technologies and Political Power (future course offering) |
Students may double count a maximum of two courses with another major or minor. Unlimited double counting is permitted with General Education requirements.