Concentrations

Technology and International Security Concentration (TISC)

With significant expertise in all regions of the world, the University of Washington is an ideal training ground to advance understanding of emerging threats and opportunities at the nexus of technology and international security. Through coursework, the Technology and International Security Concentration educates and trains students to engage with security issues in historical, cultural, and political contexts. The concentration is aimed at undergraduate and graduate students from all departments at the University of Washington. Its goal is to prepare them to analyze and propose policy solutions for a wide range of topics of concern to scholars and practitioners.  

Please contact SPDR@uw.edu if you have any questions.

Concentration Requirements

Students interested in pursuing the concentration must complete at least 15 credits as indicated below. 

  • A minimum of 10 credits of JSIS Policy-Focused coursework
  • A minimum of 5 credits of JSIS Area-Focused coursework 

Sub-Field of Expertise

Students participating in TISC are encouraged to propose a sub-field of expertise of which they will develop deeper policy and technical knowledge. A sub-field of expertise can be anything related to technology and international security and we encourage students to think creatively about potential topics.

To add a sub-field of expertise to TISC, students will take coursework from external departments directly relevant to their chosen topic.

Email spdr@uw.edu to discuss potential topics for a Sub-Field of Expertise.

How to Apply

Step 1: Students must declare their intention to complete the TISC concentration by filling out the planning form  and submitting it to spdr@uw.edu. All forms must be approved by academic advisors at the undergraduate level and faculty advisors or committee chairs at the graduate level.

Step 2: The Steering Committee will review and approve all planning forms during the second week of each academic quarter. We will then confirm with students that their form has been approved. Students should then start completing the requirements.

Step 3: Once the student has completed all requirements, the student should complete the checklist for completion and submit it to spdr@uw.edu along with a copy of their unofficial transcripts. The Committee will review the checklist and unofficial transcript before granting the QUAL concentration.

*Some exceptions for extraordinary circumstances can be made to the requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Courses

The course list below is inexhaustive and many courses change year to year. Classes are often offered that are relevant to the focus of TISC which are not listed below. If you see a course listed for an upcoming (or previous) quarter that you believe should qualify for the TISC concentration, you can request to have the course approved to count towards the TISC requirements. Send an email to spdr@uw.edu and include the course name, instructor, description and syllabus.

Policy-Focused Courses

Policy-focused courses focus on the policy of specific fields of study.

Minimum 10 credits total from JSIS Policy-focused courses.

  • JSIS 100: Media and Information Technology in Global Conflict
  • JSIS B 255: Technology & International Studies
  • JSIS B 355/555: Cybersecurity and International Studies
  • JSIS B 356: Cybersecurity & Society
  • JSIS B 358: International Cybercrime
  • JSIS B 370: Privacy
  • JSIS B 357 : The Geopolitics of Energy
  • JSIS B 429/529: Nuclear Nonproliferation and International Safeguards
  • JSIS B 444/544-AA490/590-ESS488A/585-LAW544A/544: B Space Law and Policy
  • JSIS B 449: The Political Economy of Digital Technologies
  • JSIS B 456: Geopolitics of Data
  • JSIS 478/INFO 498: Global Disinformation
  • JSIS B 480/581: Fundamentals of Global Cybersecurity
  • JSIS B 454: Advanced Cybersecurity Research (Requires Special Permission)
  • JSIS 578: Space Foundations for Policy

Area-Focused Courses

Area-focused courses place policy in historical and geographical context and must focus on a specific region or country.

Minimum 5 credits total from JSIS Area-focused courses. 

  • JSIS A 478: Japanese Business and Technology 
  • JSIS A 472 : Science, Technology, and Innovation Policies in East Asia 
  • JSIS 437/537/POLS 424 International Relations of Japan
  • JSIS A 468/568: Russia in the International Security System 

Special Topics and Task Force

Special Topics: Many departments offer courses under the title “Special Topics” each quarter. These change every quarter and are frequently on topics relevant to technology and international security. If you find a special topics course offered by any department that you think may satisfy the Policy, Area or Sub-field requirements.

JSIS 495 TASKFORCE: The Jackson School Task Force is a capstone experience for international studies undergraduates that asks them to research and create a policy document based on a current events. Any course focused on technology and international security may count towards the relevant TISC requirement. 

External Courses

External courses can count towards a sub-field of expertise. The below courses are just some examples of potential courses students may take.

  • AA 101: Air and Space Vehicles
  • HSTAA 345: History of the Digital Age
  • PHIL 417/ENVIR 417: Advanced Topics in Environmental Philosophy (Ethics, Science and Geoengineering) 
  • LAW E 554: Technology Law And Public Policy Clinic 
  • LAW B 599: Teaching Technology Policy and Ethics 
  • PUBPOL 586: Technology Law & Policy 
  • PUBPOL 599: Machines, Markets & Organizations: The Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem 
  • PUBPOL 599: Artificial Intelligence and Governance