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This course explores the design and execution of deliberative polling, a method of public consultation, as a strategic tool to develop frameworks for AI governance, with a specific focus to be collaboratively determined with a community partner. Students will gain practical experience in organizing a deliberative polling event, partnering on AI ethics topics, and refining their research skills to analyze the pros and cons of the proposals participants will encounter. Utilizing Stanford's Deliberative Democracy platform, students will both plan, execute and observe a live deliberative event, critically evaluating its outcomes. By the end of this course, students will understand the methodology of deliberative polling and its applications, improve their research skills on AI ethics, critically engage with the complexities of AI governance, and build valuable connections with professionals in the AI governance field through interacting with our community partners. Through this immersive experience, students will be equipped to contribute thoughtfully to ethical AI policy development. No prior experience of knowledge is expected or required.

This course offers an examination of virtual reality (VR) and digital human representations, focusing on creation, interaction, and applications. Students will explore the multidisciplinary landscape of VR including psychology, computer science, and communication. As we delve into the concept of the Metaverse, a computer-generated environment where individuals can meet and interact, students will critically evaluate current conceptualizations of these virtual environments. Key topics include the psychological and behavioral mechanisms influencing perception, the design of these immersive virtual spaces, and the ethical considerations shaping their regulation. Through engaging with various VR/MR headsets, students will embark on virtual field trips to various virtual worlds. We will combine in-VR experiences with academic readings and discussions to equip students with the skills necessary to design VR spaces, foster a deeper understanding of the interactions in them and understand how they affect online and offline behaviors.

This course provides an introduction to understanding how emerging media technologies like social media, smartphones, algorithms, and artificial intelligence affect our world. Specifically, we will explore how our experiences with technology affect our psychological well-being and mental health, and the informational well-being of our communities. From social media's effect on body image to the proliferation of AI-generated online misinformation on politics, the goal of this class is to help you apply key theories from research in communication and media psychology to better understand real-world phenomena regarding the role of technology on well-being. We will examine the interpersonal and psychological effects of emerging media, including on mental health, mental illness, relationships, misinformation, political polarization, and online conflict. 

Qualifies students to conduct communication research. Student must apply for department honors thesis program during Spring Quarter of junior year.

Supervised research with a faculty member of the Department of Communication to fulfill COMM major capstone requirement. See https://comm.stanford.edu/major for prerequisites of individual COMM faculty. For permission number to enroll, email a brief research proposal including the expected number of hours per week to the prospective faculty advisor.