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Tufts University Computer Science Fall 2026

CS-151 · Special Topics

Systems,
Security,
and Public Life.

A computer science course on how the design of technical systems interacts with law, policy, and public life.

What this class covers

This class explores two connected questions: how the design of computer systems interacts with law, governance, and public life; and how people with technical knowledge can use that knowledge to shape public life in return. We start with the basics of American civics needed to follow how policy is made.

Students study cases in which implementation details matter for social and policy outcomes. Through technical and policy readings, we will work through public debates about computing with the nuance that is so often missing. We will also look at what computer scientists can contribute to policy development, including where proposed interventions fail.

Beyond the readings

Guest sessions and a court visit

People working in the field

This course includes opportunities to hear from people working in congressional technology policy, security law, surveillance journalism, and national-security oversight.

Oral argument at the First Circuit

This course includes an opportunity to visit the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to hear oral argument.

Where the course goes

Approximate Fall 2026 schedule. Topics and timing may change during the semester.

  1. 01
    Wed Sep 9Courts and Legal Reasoning
  2. 02
    Wed Sep 16Regulatory Institutions
  3. 03
    Wed Sep 23Ethics & Philosophy
  4. 04
    Mon Sep 28Political Philosophy
    Wed Sep 30Privacy I: Public Law
  5. 05
    Mon Oct 5How to Lobby Congress
    Wed Oct 7Court visit recap
  6. 06
    Wed Oct 14Privacy II: Enforcement and Harm
  7. 07
    Mon Oct 19Computer Crime I: CFAA
    Wed Oct 21Computer Crime II: Circumvention and Security Research
  8. 08
    Mon Oct 26Cryptography Policy
    Wed Oct 28Platform Governance I: Intermediary Liability
  9. 09
    Mon Nov 2Platform Governance II: Product Design
    Wed Nov 4Platform Governance III: Age Assurance
  10. 10
    Mon Nov 9Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure
  11. 11
    Mon Nov 16Surveillance I: Law-Enforcement
    Wed Nov 18Surveillance II: Surveillance Journalism
  12. 12
    Mon Nov 23Surveillance III: National-Security Surveillance
  13. 13
    Mon Nov 30Platform Governance IV: Scams
    Wed Dec 2Technology Competition and Antitrust
  14. 14
    Mon Dec 7AI Regulation I: Fairness
    Wed Dec 9AI Regulation II: Safety
  15. 15
    Mon Dec 14AI Regulation III: Strategic Competition

Final project

The course is planned to culminate in a public contribution to a live policy issue. Appropriate formats may include a formal public comment or regulatory submission, a published white paper, a briefing delivered to an elected representative’s office, or another instructor-approved intervention.

Assessment structure

There is no final exam. The impact project develops in stages and accounts for 70% of the course grade.

Discussion participation and reflections
15%
Project go/no-go memo and proposal
10%
Draft checkpoint
5%
Final written output and supporting materials
55%
Individual oral defense
15%

Class details

Course
CS-151 · Fall 2026
Meetings
Monday and Wednesday, 4:30–5:45 pm · Joyce Cummings Center 610
Who can take it
Juniors or higher, or permission of the instructor
Prerequisite
CS 15 or equivalent programming and data-structures experience, or permission of the instructor
Helpful background
Ethics, public policy, STS, or the social context of computing

Questions about whether the class is a fit? Write to me.