Communication 540 - Internet Governance & Info Pol

This class introduces students to actors, institutions and public interest battles fought nationally, regionally, and globally for the control of the Internet. It considers the interaction between law, technological design, and policy solutions in shaping infrastructure, code, and content of the global web. Topics covered in the course include history of Internet policy; the relationship between technical architecture and law; digital inequalities and social inclusion; freedom of expression and intellectual property; surveillance, privacy, and cybersecurity; trade policy, data protection and social media governance in the era of datafication. Readings and online discussions with research partners, policy advocates and experts will expose students to diverse perspectives and first-hand information on these debates.

Open to junior and senior COMM students and senior and Masters SPP students. PreReq:COMM 121 or 122 Other students, with permission of instructor mfuentes@umass.edu. This course was formerly numbered as 497GP. If you have already taken 497GP, you cannot take this course.