Global Media: Innovation & Policy Lab

Global Media-Innovation &

This course looks at media around the world, the difficulties that journalists face, Big Tech’s corruption of the global public information ecosystem, and the effect this has had on people, society, and democracies. We will look at history and theory in order to understand the role the media plays, how it can be supported, and what has happened to society since the gatekeeping role of the media was  upended by the rise of Big Tech. The usurping of advertising revenue by Big Tech and the micro targeting of audiences will be understood through our discussion of business models/media innovation/media sustainability, and policy solutions. We will discuss the need for new business models, look at the experiences of Rappler, and familiarize ourselves with the world of non-profit, philanthropic journalism.  We will also consider the role of investigative reporting, the problems of online mis/ disinformation, and how Generative AI  may upend journalism. Given that we are in an election year, these questions are pressing. This class will be timely and urgent.

Guest lectures will be given after class, some weeks (from 1-2 pm) by people at the cutting edge of media innovation and investigative journalism in both profit and non-profit organizations. Some of your work will be read by organizations working on media policy. We have a track record of helping them with our research.

The financial crisis faced by the media has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemicq, but this means the search for solutions has become more intense and the field is awash with big ideas and creative thinking. It’s an exciting time to think about why journalism matters and what policies will help preserve it. We’re in transition and where it will go we don’t know where it’s going. 

Students who take this course will become familiar with:


Some of the major theories of journalism studies and the evolving public information ecosystem

The big ideas and policies that could help save quality journalism.  

The worlds of media development and philanthropy. 

Different business models and the sustainability of media outlets.

Ways to measure journalism impact, including reach, influence, and concrete change

Technology and its transformational effects, including how journalism can survive

Research skills and critical/analytical thinking.

• W 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
• 3 points

Understanding Emerging Technologies

Understanding Emerging Technologies
surveys a wide range of new technologies that are poised to dramatically reshape the ways we work, run organizations, and engage in civic life. Specifically, this course will explore innovations including artificial intelligence, brain computer interfaces, immersive technologies like virtual reality, biotechnology, space technologies, and quantum computing. Students will become better-versed in the potential applications for these technologies across the public and private sectors, some of the associated societal challenges they present, key policy choices, and implications for international affairs. Policy considerations will include both the near term, but also the longer run disruptive potential changes associated with these technologies.

• W 5:10 p.m.-7 p.m.
• 3 points

Speech, Democracy, and the Internet

Speech, Democracy, & Inte

This seminar examines the legal and policy issues that shape public discourse in the digital age. It provides a foundation in First Amendment principles, U.S. jurisprudence on free expression, and major debates over content moderation, platform accountability, data privacy, surveillance, and transparency. Students will explore how private technology platforms shape democratic engagement and how governments—particularly in the United States and the European Union—are responding through regulation and reform.

The course integrates case law, policy analysis, and applied research. Students will learn to assess regulatory frameworks, evaluate competing policy proposals, and develop original work at the intersection of law, technology, and public policy. This course may be taken on its own or as the gateway to a practicum in which students contribute to policy projects developed in collaboration with SIPA faculty and the Knight Institute.

• M 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
• 3 points

Viral Videos, Generative AI and Geopolit

AI, Viral Videos,& Geopol

This course examines how viral media, especially user-generated video, can expose human rights abuses, shape policy, and influence global narratives. Students will study real-world case studies, from chemical attacks in Syria to police brutality in the United States, learning the verification methods used by journalists, digital investigators, and human rights advocates. The course also addresses the risks posed by generative AI, deepfakes, and disinformation in a rapidly evolving media ecosystem.

Through readings, guest speakers, and a semester-long reporting project, students will sharpen research, verification, and writing skills while gaining insight into how visual evidence shapes geopolitical understanding. The course is ideal for students interested in journalism, human rights, international affairs, and emerging technologies.

• T 7:10 p.m.-9 p.m.
• Instructor: Erica E Berenstein
  Info
• 3 points

Digital Service Delivery for Leaders and

Digital Service for Polic

Radically different approaches to digital government are being pursued across the world, from Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) to the UK’s Government Digital Service. But one thing remains true: most public institutions are struggling to keep pace with technological change. This challenge is creating a crisis of confidence in large institutions and hampering the implementation of policies we need to move our world forward. 

This course will study these varied approaches to digital government while equipping the next generation of leaders and public policy officials with tools to reform our institutions and deliver policy and digital services that improve outcomes, increase program efficiency, and delight the people that have to use them in the process.

No tech background? No problem. We will cover the fundamentals of digital service design and unpack important concepts like agile development, user-centered design, and iterative testing and learn how to incorporate them into policy work.

• W 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Instructor: Haley Van Dyck
  Info
• 3 points

Creating a Social Enterprise

This workshop-style course introduces students to the principles of social entrepreneurship and human-centered design. Working in teams, students will identify pressing social or environmental challenges, conduct stakeholder research, and develop new venture ideas through iterative prototyping, budgeting, and pitching. The course emphasizes design thinking methodologies and includes instruction in customer discovery, solution testing, and storytelling for social impact.

Through hands-on collaboration and expert feedback, students will build a viable social enterprise plan—nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid—and present their venture to potential partners and funders. Ideal for students who want to develop an idea, contribute to a team, or explore the tools and mindset needed to launch a mission-driven venture.

• W 1:10 p.m.-3 p.m.
• Instructor: Sarah M Holloway
  CULPA: 1 Info
• 3 points

Civic Innovation: Design in Practice & I

This course explores how human-centered design and innovation methods are used to drive public-sector change. Students will learn how to apply design tools to complex policy and service delivery challenges while also engaging with the ethical, philosophical, and institutional questions that shape civic innovation work. Weekly sessions follow the full arc of a design-based innovation project, from scoping and research to prototyping and implementation, paired with critical themes such as power, embodiment, ethics, and systems change.

Students will practice design methodologies, develop speculative future policy proposals, and refine storytelling skills for public impact. The course culminates in a PechaKucha presentation reflecting personal insights into innovation practice.

• M 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
• 3 points

Storytelling and The Art of Creating Soc

Storytelling & Social Imp

This seminar explores the strategy and storytelling behind effective social impact campaigns. Through case studies on topics such as reproductive rights, racial justice, teen pregnancy, and climate change, students will examine why certain narratives succeed in shifting public opinion and policy. The course draws on theories of moral psychology, values-based messaging, and campaign strategy to analyze how leaders and organizations mobilize audiences, engage diverse stakeholders, and measure impact.

Students will study high-profile campaigns, meet with leading practitioners, and develop their own group-based social impact campaign project. Emphasis is placed on applying narrative frameworks to real-world advocacy, understanding audience motivations, and crafting media strategies across platforms.

• T 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Stephen Friedman
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Impact Investing: Essential Skills

Impact Investing: Skills

This experiential course prepares students for careers in the growing field of impact investing by building essential practical skills. Students will analyze real investments, assess both financial viability and impact potential, and simulate the due diligence and negotiation process from sourcing to term sheet. Through case studies, hands-on assignments, and team-based presentations, students will learn how to evaluate and structure impact investments. The course emphasizes applied tools used in the field and offers insight into pathways for careers in impact finance.

• U noon-3 p.m.
• 1.5 points

Impact Measurement and Evaluation for Su

Impact Measure & Evaluati

This course equips students with the skills and tools to design, assess, and manage impact measurement and evaluation (M&E) strategies within sustainable development and social impact contexts. Emphasizing both technical rigor and real-world application, the course prepares students to develop M&E frameworks, apply theories of change, track and evaluate outcomes, and communicate findings to diverse audiences. Students will explore the political and practical dimensions of M&E, including data collection technologies, systems-level evaluation, and the unique demands of philanthropy, corporates, investors, and governments.

• M 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Instructor: Veronica M Olazabal
  Info
• 3 points

Public-Private Partnerships To Foster Ef

This case-based seminar explores the evolving role of nonprofit organizations and their partnerships with government and business in advancing social impact. Students will examine the structure, challenges, and opportunities within the nonprofit sector, including social entrepreneurship, public-private partnerships, and venture philanthropy. The course emphasizes real-world cases across global contexts and diverse sectors such as housing, health, education, environmental conservation, and urban development. Through discussion, stakeholder role-play, and group presentations, students will deepen their understanding of how cross-sector collaboration can scale solutions to public challenges and create lasting value.

• T 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Instructor: Lynn Thoman
  Info
• 1.5 points

Negotiation & Conflict Resolution

This highly participatory course equips students with the tools and frameworks to negotiate effectively, resolve conflict, and build consensus in public and international affairs contexts. Through simulations, students learn to navigate a range of scenarios, including environmental disputes, diplomatic negotiations, and organizational conflicts, using both distributive and interest-based strategies. Core topics include preparation and strategy, cross-cultural communication, power dynamics, consensus building, and coalition management. Students will also explore measures of negotiation success and practice applying concepts to real-world challenges. The course emphasizes experiential learning, reflective writing, and practical skill-building to prepare students for high-stakes negotiations in diverse professional settings.

• W 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Seth Freeman
  Info
• 3 points