This course will introduce students to the dynamics of content moderation at major internet and social media platforms. Cotaught by the heads of content policy at YouTube and Meta, the course will engage students with real world examples concerning the governance of content at scale for the largest internet and social networks. Topics will include content policies surrounding hate speech, disinformation, obscenity/indecency, child protection, violence, and incitement to illegal conduct. The course will also explore how content policies apply to AI tools, such as chatbots, and how AI is used in content moderation. Classes will include assignments and group activities revolving around real-world situations confronting policy makers inside technology firms, as well as how these decisions interact with government policies and constitutional law. Students will be responsible for small writing project every two weeks plus a final paper. With the consent of the instructor, students can choose to write an independent research paper that meets the criteria for Research (R) credit. After the term begins, students approved to write an R-credit paper may transfer from section (LAW 01) into section (LAW 02), which meets the R-paper requirement. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Students on the waitlist for the course will be admitted if spots are available on the basis of priority and degree program. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, written assignments, final paper.
2 units · Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
This course will introduce students to the dynamics of content moderation at major internet and social media platforms. Cotaught by the heads of content policy at YouTube and Meta, the course will engage students with real world examples concerning the governance of content at scale for the largest internet and social networks. Topics will include content policies surrounding hate speech, disinformation, obscenity/indecency, child protection, violence, and incitement to illegal conduct. The course will also explore how content policies apply to AI tools, such as chatbots, and how AI is used in content moderation. Classes will include assignments and group activities revolving around real-world situations confronting policy makers inside technology firms, as well as how these decisions interact with government policies and constitutional law. Students will be responsible for small writing project every two weeks plus a final paper. With the consent of the instructor, students can choose to write an independent research paper that meets the criteria for Research (R) credit. After the term begins, students approved to write an R-credit paper may transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R-paper requirement. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Students on the waitlist for the course will be admitted if spots are available on the basis of priority and degree program. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, written assignments, final paper.