DIDA 280PDigital Wellness&Public Policy

Catalog

The central question of this class is: How do we take care of ourselves - which is also to say, of each other - in an increasingly digitally-organized world? We will approach this central question through both personal wellness and public policy lenses, while paying particular attention to the needs of vulnerable and directly impacted communities. Possible specific course topics include privacy and surveillance, digital addictions, consumer rights, digital sex, and AI. Throughout the course, students will actively reflect on and gain increased agency over their personal digital habits, decisions, and circumstances, while also researching and discussing what is needed from a public policy standpoint to support the common good. In order to understand on-the-ground implications of legislation governing digital and data practices and avoid common legislative pitfalls, students will also gain a base of technical understanding of and applied insight into how the internet works.