POL 280 - Bitcoin in Practice

FDR: SS2
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 4

This course introduces students to bitcoin and its roles in global politics. Since 2008, bitcoin has evolved from an idea posted to an online chat forum to a digital asset that has caught the attention of sovereign states. Along the way, it has been used by human rights activists whose bank accounts have been frozen, refugees crossing boarders, immigrants sending remittances, environmentalists fighting climate change, and others. The course explores what bitcoin is, what problems it is trying to solve, and the creative ways it has been used across time and space. Part of the course takes place in Argentina, a developing country that has long faced economic challenges. There, the class meets with politicians, economists, entrepreneurs, and others - bitcoin advocates and skeptics alike - to understand why adoption is higher in Argentina than most other countries.