19-787 Congress, S & T Policy: Legislative Process & Evidence-Based Decision Making
12 units, Carnegie Mellon University
Congress, Science, and Technology Policy: Legislative Process and Evidence-Based Decision-Making- This course provides an inside look at how Congress works, with particular attention to how science and technology issues navigate the legislative process. Drawing on real-world insights from an AAAS Congressional Fellowship, students will explore congressional institutions, procedures, and political dynamics while examining how scientific evidence informs (or fails to inform) legislative decision-making. Students will select a science or technology policy domain (environmental, artificial intelligence, health, energy, cybersecurity, space, industrial policy, etc.) to track throughout the semester, analyzing how their chosen issue moves through committees, how stakeholders communicate scientific evidence, and how technical complexity affects legislative outcomes. Through hands-on activities, including member tracking, memo writing, and legislative analysis, students will develop practical skills for engaging in the science-policy interface.
Prerequisites: none listed
Offered: Spring 2027, Spring 2026
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