Chang C

- Research Program Mentor

Project ideas

Philosophy and Digital Technologies

In this project, you will learn about some of the key political thinkers of the Western canon and their relevance for thinking about problems in the digital age. What might Plato, Aristotle, Walter Benjamin, Niccolo Machiavelli, Jean Jacques Rousseau, or Emmanuel Kant have to say about the Internet, social media, and AI? We'll look at primary sources along with some contemporary theorists who approach digital technologies from a theoretical standpoint. The project will culminate in a research paper in which you will do the same: discuss a problem of your choice related to new technologies and show how political theory might provide some answers.

Politics and Op-ed Journalism

Ever thought about writing a political op-ed for a national magazine? In this project, we'll read some works of political philosophy and their approaches to hot button political topics like the welfare state, universal health care, universal basic income, feminism, and affirmative action. We'll also look at some examples of successful op-ed writing in the political arena. The project will include both a political and writing component: we'll look at how to formulate good political arguments while learning how to craft a well-written op-ed. The project will culminate in your own op-ed piece, which I will help to try and get published.

Coding skills

Reviews