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Phone: (202) 885-2940

Graduate programs: spagrad@american.edu

Undergraduate programs: aupublicaffairs@american.edu

Public Affairs, School of 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

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Curriculum

Required Courses

JLC-660 Emerging Tech for Non-Technical Policymakers (3)
This course introduces technologies that are key to understanding the most prevalent policy issues today. The course provides students without a technical background a toolkit of resources to understand new technologies. The course uses case studies of contemporary technologies highly relevant to current policy debates including encryption, 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and the use of algorithms by social media platforms. Students develop a historical perspective on emerging technologies in the policy context and further develop, practice, and apply the unique skills required to understand technologies relevant to their area of policy interest. Usually Offered: fall.

JLC-665 Introduction to Advanced Cyber Policy (3)
This course introduces the big questions and key players in U.S. cyber policy. The course begins with a foundational overview of the internet and its unique challenges in the economic, security, and public safety policy spaces. The course utilizes case studies and discussions of contemporary cyber topics to build tools for diagnosing cyber policy challenges. The course focuses on identifying key stakeholders and the diverse policy disciplines where cyber policy is being crafted so as to help ascertain perspectives on the complex and unique challenges facing decision-makers in this continuously advancing field. Usually Offered: fall and spring.

JLC-683 Cyber Threats and Security (3)
This course examines the emerging threats to U.S. security caused by cyber activism. Special attention is paid to discussing appropriate policy responses to this nascent global problem. Crosslist: JLC-483. Grading: A-F only.
JLC-695 Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy Practicum (3)
Topics vary by section. Rotating practicum topics concerning terrorism and security policy, cybersecurity policy, and emergency management. Practicum topics offer hands-on experience applying key tenets of academic literature to real client situations. Not repeatable for credit. Grading: A-F only. Permission: instructor or program director.

Elective Courses

ITEC-666 Cybersecurity Risk Management (3)
Information security is rapidly becoming a critical aspect of corporate life that business professionals cannot afford to be unaware of. The potential risks associated with various and increasingly diverse digital security breaches are on the rise and the related recovery costs are very great. This course focuses on three key areas: the risks associated with information management in the digital economy; the most effective personal and business practices to manage these risks; and the associated information forensics to understand where and how information can be traced. Individual, corporate, and national/global aspects of information security risks are covered, as well as issues related to risk understanding, assessment, and management, corporate governance, and incident response. Crosslist: ITEC-466. Prerequisite/Concurrent: ITEC-616 or ITEC-617.

SIS-619 Special Studies in International Politics (1-6)
Topics vary by section. Rotating topics include international economic policy coordination, emerging capital markets, international environmental policy, political risk analysis, international relations with Japan, preventive diplomacy, United States and Cuba, and nonviolence. Usually Offered: fall, spring, and summer. Repeatable for credit with different topics.

JLC 696 Cybercriminology and Criminal Justice (3)
The course is designed to examine theories, typologies, and trends of cybercrime. With an interdisciplinary perspective, the course investigates political, legal, technical, and cultural vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit. Using case studies, the course explores and analyzes tactics and techniques of cybercrime, individual and networks of cyber criminals, and victimization of cybercrime. The course examines policies and practices of criminal justice
agencies at the local, national, and international levels and discusses public-private partnership initiatives essential to respond to cybercrime. Crosslist: JLC 445 Usually Offered: Spring

JLC 696 Cybercrime and Public Policy
This course aims to provide a critical understanding of the policies and legal frameworks that govern cybercrime. The course investigates the challenges and gaps in current policy practices, including the shifting roles of government, public and private actors, and international organizations. Through a comparative perspective, students will critically study these challenges and explore new policy alternatives. The course has three major sections: a) An analysis of the applicable policies and legal frameworks at the national and international levels. b) An examination of case studies relevant to the course priorities. c) An exploration of new policy proposals addressing the need to respond to emerging trends in cybercrime.
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