R For Public Policy

MIA and MPA Policy Skills II Core. 
This 7-week mini-course leads the students into the R world, helps them master the basics, and establishes a platform for future self-study. The course offers students basic programming knowledge and effective data analysis skills in R in the context of public policy-making and policy evaluation. Students will learn how to install R and RStudio, understand and use R data objects, and become familiar with base R and several statistical and graphing packages. The course will also emphasize use cases for R in public policy domains, focusing on cleaning, exploring, and analyzing data.

• Department: Data Science for Policy
• Instructor: Mike Q Zhu
  Info
• 1.5 points

EXTERNSHIP: COMMUNITY DEFENSE

• Department: Law
• 2 points

EXTERNSHIP: COMMUNITY DEFENSE

• Department: Law
• 2 points

Introduction to Infographics and Data Vi

Intro to Data Visualizati

MIA and MPA Policy Skills II Core. 
This course introduces students to the principles and practices of data visualization as a powerful tool for interpreting and communicating complex information. As large datasets become increasingly available across sectors, the ability to transform raw data into clear, compelling visuals is essential for insight and decision-making.

Students will learn to select appropriate visualization types, apply design techniques that balance form and function, and tell analytic stories with clarity and impact. Through hands-on assignments and guided case studies, the course builds practical skills in visualizing data to uncover patterns, reveal trends, and engage diverse audiences.

• Department: Data Science for Policy
• Instructor: Douglas Williamson
  Info
• 1.5 points

EXT:FED CT CLERK SOUTHERN DNY

• Department: Law
• Instructor: Paul B Radvany
  Info
• 1 points

EXT:FED CT CLERK SOUTHERN DNY

• Department: Law
• Instructor: Paul B Radvany
  Info
• 3 points

EXTERNSHIP: CRIMINAL APPEALS

• Department: Law
• 2 points

EXTERNSHIP: CRIMINAL APPEALS

• Department: Law
• 2 points

EXTERNSHIP:FED APPELLATE COURT

• Department: Law
• 1 points

EXTERNSHIP:FED APPELLATE COURT

• Department: Law
• 3 points

Artificial Intelligence in Public Policy

Artificial Intel in Publi

MIA and MPA Policy Skills II Core. Pre-req: Computing in Context (DSPC IA6000). 
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI), its applications in public policy, and its implications for the future of governance. Students will gain a foundational understanding of AI, including the mathematical and programming principles behind common machine learning algorithms used for prediction, classification, and clustering. The course explores the practical applications of AI across various sectors, including business, non-profits, and government, highlighting its transformative potential. In the final segment, students will apply their knowledge to design AI solutions for public policy challenges. Through a "Concept to Implementation" process, student groups will identify problems, navigate data and algorithmic considerations, and propose actionable AI-driven solutions.

• Department: Data Science for Policy
• Instructor: Sameer R Maskey
  Info
• 1.5 points

Building AI Tools with Large Language Mo

MIA and MPA Policy Skills II Core. Pre-reqs: Working Python knowledge OR Python for Public Policy (SIPA IA6650) OR Intro to Text Analysis in Python (SIPA IA6655). 
In the past two years, Large Language Models (LLMs) built using transformer frameworks have emerged as the fastest-growing area of research and investment in AI/machine learning. Recent releases of chatbots such as ChatGPT (OpenAI), Bing (Microsoft), and Bard (Google) quickly reached hundreds of millions of users and have become the face of artificial intelligence for consumers. There has also been an explosion in the number of applications that depend on LLMs for a variety of more specialized tasks. Recent models have shown impressive performance on both canonical machine learning tasks and for everyday use, yet are in many ways poorly understood and, in some cases, exhibit unexpected and potentially harmful behavior. 

Policymakers, analysts, and non-profit and industry leaders need an understanding of these models to take advantage of the opportunities they present and to mitigate potential harms. This course provides an overview of Large Language Models and gives students hands-on experience with various ways of interacting with LLMs. Students will learn to interpret model evaluation metrics, and we will discuss safety and ethics in applied contexts.

• Department: Data Science for Policy
• Instructor: Mike Q Zhu
  Info
• 1.5 points

Data Analysis for Inclusive Policy

Data Analysis-Inclusive P

MIA and MPA Policy Skills II Core. Pre-req: Quant I (SIPA IA6500)
. Data is not neutral. How it is collected, categorized, and analyzed is shaped by historical, political, economic, and social forces, often reinforcing existing injustices. While policy professionals are trained in quantitative methods, there is comparatively less focus on interrogating how data itself is produced, how existing frameworks exclude certain populations, and how data can be used to either reinforce or challenge inequities.

This course introduces students to inclusive and decolonial approaches to working with data for policy research and advocacy, emphasizing critical engagement with its lifecycle—from collection to analysis to dissemination. Students will examine how statistical tools, methods, and available data can be utilized to either reinforce or dismantle barriers to opportunity and address structural injustices. Through weekly discussions, hands-on coding exercises, and a research or advocacy project sketch, students will examine a range of data sources and methodologies while developing strategies for ethical, community-centered data practices.

• Department: Data Science for Policy
• Instructor: Harold B Stolper
  Info
• 1.5 points

Ex. Legal Practice

• Department: Law
• 1 points

Ex. Legal Practice

• Department: Law
• 2-3 points

Ex. Legal Practice

• Department: Law
• 1 points

Ex. Legal Practice

• Department: Law
• 2-3 points

Ex. Legal Practice

• Department: Law
• Instructor: Gerald Lebovits
  h-index: 10 Info
• 1 points

Ex. Legal Practice

• Department: Law
• Instructor: Gerald Lebovits
  h-index: 10 Info
• Instructor: Mark Nielsen
  Info
• 2-3 points

Ex. Legal Practice

• Department: Law
• Instructor: Mark Nielsen
  Info
• 2-3 points

EXTERNSHP:BRONX DEFENDERS

• Department: Law
• 2 points

EXTERNSHP:BRONX DEFENDERS

• Department: Law
• 2 points

EXT:UNDOCUMENT IMMIGRANT YOUTH

• Department: Law
• Instructor: Cristina Romero
  Info
• 2 points

EXT:UNDOCUMENT IMMIGRANT YOUTH

• Department: Law
• Instructor: Cristina Romero
  Info
• 3 points

EX. PRO BONO SCHOLARS

• Department: Law
• Instructor: Riti Singh
  Info
• 4 points

EX. PRO BONO SCHOLARS

• Department: Law
• Instructor: Riti Singh
  Info
• 8 points

EXTERNSHIP: CIVIL LITIGATION - EMPLOYMEN

EXT: CIVIL LITIGAT EMPLOY

• Department: Law
• 2 points

EXTERNSHIP: CIVIL LITIGATION - EMPLOYMEN

EXT: CIVIL LITIGAT EMPLOY

• Department: Law
• 3 points

Ethics in Public Policy

Ethics for Public Policy

MIA & MPA Ethics Core. 
This course investigates how ethical considerations shape, complicate, and often introduce dilemmas into the work of policymaking. It asks what justice, democracy, and responsibility demand in concrete policy contexts—should political leaders prioritize stability or accountability in post-conflict settings? Should elected officials follow their moral convictions even when doing so goes against the preferences of their constituents? Should public servants uphold the law when it conflicts with their moral principles? When is it right to work within flawed systems to achieve change, and when is it better to act from the outside? Through a mix of theoretical readings and case studies, students will learn to balance political, institutional, and ethical considerations, develop arguments for their moral choices, and advocate effectively for their policy decisions. The course is designed to cultivate reflective practitioners who can identify moral dilemmas in public policy, weigh competing values, and articulate their ethical positions in ways that are both critical and constructive.

• Department: International and Public Affairs
• Instructor: Nicole M Peisajovich
  Info
• 1.5 points

Ethics in Public Policy

Ethics for Public Policy

MIA & MPA Ethics Core. 
This course investigates how ethical considerations shape, complicate, and often introduce dilemmas into the work of policymaking. It asks what justice, democracy, and responsibility demand in concrete policy contexts—should political leaders prioritize stability or accountability in post-conflict settings? Should elected officials follow their moral convictions even when doing so goes against the preferences of their constituents? Should public servants uphold the law when it conflicts with their moral principles? When is it right to work within flawed systems to achieve change, and when is it better to act from the outside? Through a mix of theoretical readings and case studies, students will learn to balance political, institutional, and ethical considerations, develop arguments for their moral choices, and advocate effectively for their policy decisions. The course is designed to cultivate reflective practitioners who can identify moral dilemmas in public policy, weigh competing values, and articulate their ethical positions in ways that are both critical and constructive.

• Department: International and Public Affairs
• Instructor: Nicole M Peisajovich
  Info
• 1.5 points

Ethics in Public Policy

Ethics for Public Policy

MIA & MPA Ethics Core. 
This course investigates how ethical considerations shape, complicate, and often introduce dilemmas into the work of policymaking. It asks what justice, democracy, and responsibility demand in concrete policy contexts—should political leaders prioritize stability or accountability in post-conflict settings? Should elected officials follow their moral convictions even when doing so goes against the preferences of their constituents? Should public servants uphold the law when it conflicts with their moral principles? When is it right to work within flawed systems to achieve change, and when is it better to act from the outside? Through a mix of theoretical readings and case studies, students will learn to balance political, institutional, and ethical considerations, develop arguments for their moral choices, and advocate effectively for their policy decisions. The course is designed to cultivate reflective practitioners who can identify moral dilemmas in public policy, weigh competing values, and articulate their ethical positions in ways that are both critical and constructive.

• Department: International and Public Affairs
• Instructor: Nicole M Peisajovich
  Info
• 1.5 points

Ethics in Public Policy

Ethics for Public Policy

MIA & MPA Ethics Core. 
This course investigates how ethical considerations shape, complicate, and often introduce dilemmas into the work of policymaking. It asks what justice, democracy, and responsibility demand in concrete policy contexts—should political leaders prioritize stability or accountability in post-conflict settings? Should elected officials follow their moral convictions even when doing so goes against the preferences of their constituents? Should public servants uphold the law when it conflicts with their moral principles? When is it right to work within flawed systems to achieve change, and when is it better to act from the outside? Through a mix of theoretical readings and case studies, students will learn to balance political, institutional, and ethical considerations, develop arguments for their moral choices, and advocate effectively for their policy decisions. The course is designed to cultivate reflective practitioners who can identify moral dilemmas in public policy, weigh competing values, and articulate their ethical positions in ways that are both critical and constructive.

• Department: International and Public Affairs
• Instructor: Nicole M Peisajovich
  Info
• 1.5 points

Ethics in Public Policy

Ethics for Public Policy

MIA & MPA Ethics Core. 
This course investigates how ethical considerations shape, complicate, and often introduce dilemmas into the work of policymaking. It asks what justice, democracy, and responsibility demand in concrete policy contexts—should political leaders prioritize stability or accountability in post-conflict settings? Should elected officials follow their moral convictions even when doing so goes against the preferences of their constituents? Should public servants uphold the law when it conflicts with their moral principles? When is it right to work within flawed systems to achieve change, and when is it better to act from the outside? Through a mix of theoretical readings and case studies, students will learn to balance political, institutional, and ethical considerations, develop arguments for their moral choices, and advocate effectively for their policy decisions. The course is designed to cultivate reflective practitioners who can identify moral dilemmas in public policy, weigh competing values, and articulate their ethical positions in ways that are both critical and constructive.

• Department: International and Public Affairs
• Instructor: Nicole M Peisajovich
  Info
• 1.5 points

Business Bankruptcy: Financial Restructu

• Department: Law
• 3 points

China's Impact on Global Governance

China & Global Governance

This seminar explores China’s rise and its implications for global governance. The course introduces core international relations concepts and theoretical debates, then examines China’s behavior in areas such as trade, development finance, human protection, maritime disputes, nuclear policy, and technology. The final weeks focus on national strategy debates in the United States and China. Students will engage in critical reading, policy writing, and seminar discussion.

• Department: International Security & Diplomacy
• 3 points

TRANSNATIONAL LITIGATION

• Department: Law
• Instructor: Robert H Smit
  CULPA: 13 Info
• 3 points

THESIS RESEARCH-GRADUATE

• Department: African American and African Diaspora
• Instructor: Brandi Summers
  Info
• 4 points

Political Development

This course examines the evolution of institutions, social structures, and civic values that shape systems of power in non-Western societies. It explores how political development arises through both long-term transformations, such as colonialism, globalization, and demographic change, and sudden events including conflict, economic crises, and natural disasters. Students will consider key themes such as state formation, democratization, governance, state fragility, identity, and the politics of security. The course draws on historical and social science perspectives to analyze development as both a process of transformation and an area of international policy shaped by global actors. Participants will engage critically with major debates, build familiarity with core theories and concepts, and explore emerging issues such as hybrid political orders and environmental politics.

• Department: Development and Governance
• Instructor: Olivier Nay
  Info
• 3 points

Policy Solutions for Online Mis/Disinfor

Policy Solutions-Online I

While 2016 may have been the wake-up call, it is clear that what scholar Joan Donovan calls “the weaponization of the misinformation machine” has only gotten worse since then. The political, social, and psychological damage caused by the intensive dissemination of online mis/disinformation has been profound. However, much has been learned about how to address the problem, so we will emphasize understanding the role of Big Tech in circulating and profiting from online mis/disinformation and what policies/regulations are in play. This semeste,r we are paying particular attention to the aftermath of the 2024 election landscape and the  strange post-truth  environment we find  ourselves  in.  

The first part of this course will focus on understanding mis/disinformation online. What exactly is it? Why should we care? What are the implications for Democracy? Who is the cast of characters creating mis/disinformation online? After we’ve understood  these topics we will examine  the fixes being proposed and tried globally. We will consider both the demand and supply side of the problem  and  national context shapes the solutions  being tried. We will look  at the pros  and   cons  of efforts  to  promote responsible news consumption, enhance media literacy, fact-checking, and new regulations. Along the way, we will also discuss content moderation, platform liability, disclosure requirements for election advertising, and support for journalism.  

 Students who take this class will develop an understanding of:  


The problem of online misinformation and disinformation— who is putting it online and what are their interests?  

Familiarity with the universe of solutions that are being tried and the pros and cons of each approach

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• 3 points

Internet Governance and Human Rights

Internet Governance & Rig

Whoever controls the future of the internet controls the future of the world. This course explores the institutions, stakeholder groups, and policy debates that shape how the internet is built, maintained, and governed. It examines the internet’s technical roots and the people and entities—telecom companies and their regulators, technologists and idealists, security forces and hackers—who shape its evolution today.

Students will study the basic workings of internet and mobile networks, the national and global forums where internet policy is made, and how digital regulation affects people, rights, cultures, and economies. Class sessions combine lectures, group discussions, guest speakers, and hands-on simulations to explore real-world tensions between national sovereignty and borderless cyberspace, corporate responsibility and civil liberties, and differing digital norms across regions.

The international human rights framework is presented as a foundation for policymaking in the digital age. Course topics include intermediary liability, domain name systems, surveillance, privacy, net neutrality, AI, disinformation, digital identity, and internet shutdowns. Students will write a reflection paper, a midterm policy memo, and a final policy brief, and participate in a group-led in-class “Event” designed to bring readings to life through role play and stakeholder engagement. Participation is essential.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• Instructor: Peter Micek
  Info
• 3 points

Persistent Problems in the Global South

Global South Challenges

This course explores persistent policy and governance challenges in the Global South through a comparative lens. Drawing on case studies and empirical research, it examines the politics of poverty, hunger, inequality, corruption, social unrest, and institutional reform. Students will analyze how historical legacies, resource constraints, and diverse political systems shape development outcomes. The course emphasizes critical evaluation of competing theories, the use of the comparative method, and the application of policy analysis skills. Students will develop proficiency in interpreting and presenting evidence-based policy arguments and deepen their understanding of strategies to address entrenched global development challenges.

• Department: Development and Governance
• Instructor: Rumela Sen
  CULPA: 1 Info
• 3 points

Digital Content Provenance: Path to Tran

This course explores one of the most promising responses to the risks posed by Generative AI: digital content provenance. As AI-generated media grows more sophisticated and accessible, questions of transparency and authenticity have become central to the global informational ecosystem. Digital content provenance—an emerging open standard supported by thousands of organizations and recognized in recent policy actions such as the White House Executive Order on AI—offers a potential path to restoring trust in what we see and hear online.

Students will examine the technical foundations of provenance, including concepts such as public key infrastructure (PKI) and certificate authorities, and learn how provenance is being implemented across sectors including government, media, and technology. The course features guest speakers from industry and public service, providing insight into the policy, legal, and operational dimensions of this fast-evolving field.

Through research, writing, and the creation of an original provenance-enabled project, students will develop a strong understanding of how digital content provenance works and its relevance to future regulatory frameworks. This course is designed for those interested in the intersection of AI, digital media, global policy, and emerging technology standards.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• Instructor: Mounir E Ibrahim
  Info
• 1.5 points

Principles & Practice of Online Trust &

Online Trust & Safety

What rules and expectations should online platforms such as Google, Meta, X, OpenAI, TikTok, or Uber use to govern themselves? How do technology companies mitigate socio-technical harms stemming from their products? And how should they respond to evolving geopolitical conflicts playing out on their services? This course introduces the emerging field of Trust & Safety: the study of how online platforms are abused and how these systems can cause individual and societal harms, as well as the frameworks and tools used to prevent and mitigate those harms.

Still relatively obscure but increasingly central to public policy and technology governance, Trust & Safety now spans issues including content moderation, disinformation, child safety, algorithmic harm, and state-sponsored influence operations. Students will build foundational knowledge of the field through academic texts, practitioner case studies, and engagement with tools, taxonomies, and governance approaches used in industry. Course topics include detection systems, enforcement methods, moderation tradeoffs, transparency frameworks, red teaming, and regulatory perspectives such as the EU Digital Services Act. Case studies will examine harms across the technological stack, from social media to video games, dating apps, and AI models.

Students will also engage directly with the tensions and practicalities of operating, regulating, or covering these issues in a policy or product environment. The course prepares students to critically evaluate and help shape interventions aimed at digital safety across sectors.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• Instructor: Camille M Francois
  Info
• 3 points

Artificial Intelligence: A Survey for Po

AI for Policymakers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning have emerged as increasingly ubiquitous technologies in a wide range of areas, such as finance, healthcare, workforce management, and advertising, in addition to several domains in the public sector, including but not limited to criminal justice and law enforcement. In the past several years, ethical questions about how and whether to use AI for particular tasks have become much more prominent, partly due to its widespread use and partly due to publicly documented failures or shortcomings of a number of systems that can negatively impact people in sometimes serious ways.

This course will provide a broad overview of practical, ethical, and governance questions related to AI — such as those related to privacy, cybersecurity, fairness, transparency, and more — with a view towards policymaking. Policymaking will be interpreted broadly, including both the public and private sectors. The course will include a survey of how machine learning works so as to ground the discussion, as well as a wide range of concrete, real-world examples and case studies.

The instructor served as the first Director of AI for New York City and will also draw on this experience, which included collaborations with a number of other city governments internationally. The course will also include several guest speakers who directly engage with significant AI or AI policy projects in various areas.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• Instructor: Neal P Parikh
  Info
• 3 points

Ethics of Media, Technology, and Design

Ethics-Media, Tech, and D

Each week we will examine a variety of case studies covering topics such as: the ethics of information design, algorithmic bias, deceptive user experience patterns, social media and commodification, safe spaces in virtual environments, the development of autonomous systems and smart cities, the relationships between artificial intelligence and copyright, democracy and media, and media activism and community organizing. Throughout the semester, students will select three ethical problems to research, including two case studies and one essay/ opinion piece. Using primary sources, photo, video, and graphics, students will capture pressing ethical issues. They will learn to navigate frameworks for ethical decision making, ethical management systems, and develop “codes” of ethics, and value statements. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on “ethical” user experience research during class exercises where they test websites, apps, and products. Finally, guests will be invited to the course to share their experience with developing ethical frameworks as media, design, and technology professionals.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• Instructor: Laura S Scherling
  Info
• 3 points

Topics in Financial Inclusion: Enhancing

Financial Inclusion Topic

This course provides an applied introduction to financial inclusion, focusing on how financial services can be designed, delivered, and scaled to improve the lives of low-income populations worldwide. Students will examine the evolution of microfinance and the emergence of new models such as digital financial services, fintech platforms, and gender-focused initiatives. Topics include savings and credit, household financial behavior, funding models, climate finance, and business model innovation.

Through interactive lectures, guest speakers, and group projects, students will analyze the constraints that limit financial access, assess approaches to expand inclusion, and develop recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. Assignments include a country-focused consulting project and a blog post competition highlighting current debates in the field. No prerequisites are required.

• Department: Development and Governance
• 1.5 points

International Capital Markets

This course provides a practitioner’s perspective on how global capital markets operate, focusing on the instruments, institutions, and frameworks that channel capital to companies, households, and governments. Students will explore interest rate and FX swaps, derivatives, credit default swaps, asset-backed securities, and structured finance, alongside tools for interpreting yield curves and understanding credit markets. The course integrates current developments, including monetary policy, inflation trends, and systemic risk, with a close look at how financial actors respond. Unlike
Economics of Finance
, which emphasizes theory, this course emphasizes institutional function and market behavior. The course is structured to help students think critically and confidently about real-world financial markets

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• 3 points

Innovation Driving Development Impact

Innovation & Dev Impact L

This course is the second in a two-course sequence exploring how innovation contributes to development. While the first course focuses on institutional reforms within international development organizations, this course examines innovation in low and middle-income countries. Students will analyze how science, technology, and innovation systems shape development trajectories, and will explore mission-oriented innovation, digital transformation, and strategies to scale proven solutions.

Through a combination of conceptual frameworks, case studies, and practical exercises, students will develop critical perspectives on how innovation policies and programmes can address complex development challenges. Topics include inclusive digital transformation, digital public infrastructure, frugal and locally led innovation, and the design of innovation ecosystems. The course features examples of innovation initiatives led by international organizations, Global South governments, and grassroots innovators.

Students will gain familiarity with key concepts, frameworks, and practices related to scaling innovation, strengthening innovation systems, and advancing mission-driven approaches in development cooperation. While the course builds on foundations from the first course, it stands on its own and may be taken independently.

• Department: Development and Governance
• Instructor: Benjamin Kumpf
  Info
• 1.5 points

Migration and Economic Development

Economics of Migration

This course equips students with economic tools to analyze the impacts of international migration on destination and origin countries. Emphasizing migration between low-, middle-, and high-income economies, it explores the effects of migration restrictions, remittances, diaspora networks, and labor market outcomes. Students will review key economic models, assess policy debates, and engage with empirical research. The course combines lectures, case discussions, and applied assignments to strengthen analytical skills and inform policy recommendations in migration and development.

• Department: Development and Governance
• 1.5 points

Impact Evaluations in Practice

This course will be useful for students who would like to participate in evaluations of development projects. At the end of the course, students will know how to plan an impact evaluation, how to manage one, and how to recognize and differentiate a good impact evaluation from a badly conducted one. Students should also come with one case study that they have been involved in and that would lend itself to an impact evaluation. Previous experience in implementing a development project is desirable.

• Department: Development and Governance
• Instructor: Jyotsna Puri
  Info
• 1.5 points

Climate Change Policy and Diplomacy

This course examines the central challenges of climate change policy and diplomacy through three core questions: What should the world do about climate change? Why have past efforts largely failed? How can more effective strategies be developed? Drawing on perspectives from science, economics, ethics, international law, and game theory, students will explore both normative and practical dimensions of global climate action.

The course reviews the scientific basis and projected impacts of climate change, evaluates technological and economic options for reducing emissions, and analyzes the history and design of international agreements from the Framework Convention to the Paris Agreement. Students will consider issues such as policy coordination, compliance incentives, trade linkages, and the role of unilateral measures and geoengineering.

• Department: Climate, Energy, & Environment
• W 1:10 p.m.-3 p.m.
• M noon-1:05 p.m.
• M 1:15 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
• Instructor: Scott Barrett
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Applying Machine Learning

The widespread adoption of information technology has resulted in the generation of vast amounts of data on human behavior. This course explores ways to use this data to better understand and improve the societies in which we live. The course weaves together methods from machine learning (OLS, LASSO, trees) and social science (theory, reduced-form causal inference, structural modeling) to address real-world problems. We will use these problems as a backdrop to weigh the importance of causality, precision, and computational efficiency.

Pre-requisites: 
Quantitative Analysis II, Microeconomics, and an introductory computer science course (DSPC IA6000 or equiv). Students who have attained mastery of the prerequisite concepts through other means may petition for an exception to the prerequisites using the form: 
https://bit.ly/applyingMLpetition

• Department: Data Science for Policy
• Instructor: Daniel C Bjorkegren
  Info
• 3 points

Emerging Capital Markets: Theory & Pract

This course examines the evolution of capital markets in emerging economies and the forces shaping their current and future trajectories. Through a combination of case studies, financial theory, and practitioner insights, students will explore sovereign defaults, financial crises, policy responses, and structural reforms across Latin America, Asia, and beyond. Key topics include the influence of global liquidity cycles, the rise of China, ESG investment trends, and the implications of new technologies such as generative AI.

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• Instructor: Alejo E Czerwonko Pupi
  Info
• 3 points

Green Transition in Emerging Markets

Greening Emerging Markets

The transition to a net-zero economy is of particular relevance to Emerging and Developing economies, which are both the most vulnerable to climate change and also the largest emitters of greenhouse gases.

The transition is creating considerable challenges but also opening up significant opportunities: over $200 trillion of investments will be needed in order to ensure that global temperatures stay well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with most to be invested in the infrastructure sector of emerging and developing economies.

The class will explore the challenges of the transition to a low-carbon economy. It will also examine the new mechanisms that are being put in place to channel finance toward the greening of emerging and developing countries.

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• Instructor: Christian Deseglise
  Wikipedia Info
• 1.5 points

Intelligence and US Foreign Policy

Intelligence & US Foreign

This seminar explores the role of intelligence in U.S. national security and foreign policy, focusing on both historic and contemporary controversies. Topics include intelligence failures such as 9/11 and Iraq’s WMDs, challenges in cyber and surveillance, and debates about covert action and interrogation practices. The course also considers the Intelligence Community’s (IC) relationship with policymakers, particularly during election cycles and presidential transitions. Recent failures in Russia and Israel will prompt discussion on whether intelligence failures are inevitable and how success or failure should be defined. Students will examine the core functions of intelligence—collection (human, technical, cyber), analysis, and covert action—and their place in a democratic society. Readings focus on the post-WWII period to the present, with an emphasis on reform efforts. Guest speakers and a crisis simulation will provide practical insight into intelligence work, including real-world pressures faced by analysts and decision-makers.

• Department: International Security & Diplomacy
• Instructor: Peter Clement
  Info
• 3 points

Data Science and Public Policy

Pre-req: SIPA IA6501 - Quant II
or equivalent quantitative methods course. This course bridges the gap between data science and public policy by bringing together students from diverse academic backgrounds to address contemporary policy challenges using large-scale data. With the rapid growth of digital information and the increasing influence of machine learning and AI on public life, the ability to work across disciplines is becoming essential.

Students will examine real-world datasets on topics such as disinformation campaigns, privacy and surveillance, crime and recidivism, natural disasters, and the impact of generative AI. Through weekly presentations and a semester-long team project, students will gain practical experience applying data science methods to pressing policy issues while learning how to collaborate across fields.

• Department: Data Science for Policy
• Instructor: Tamar Mitts
  h-index: 5 Info
• 3 points

Text as Data

Pre-req: SIPA IA6500 - Quant I, and prior experience with R are required.
 This course introduces students to the quantitative analysis of text, an increasingly important method in the social sciences and public policy. With vast amounts of textual information now available from sources such as social media, news articles, political speeches, and government documents, the ability to analyze text systematically is essential. Students will learn how to collect, process, and analyze text data to answer meaningful research questions.

The course covers a range of methods including dictionary-based approaches, supervised classification, topic modeling, word embeddings, and emerging applications of Large Language Models. Emphasis is placed on practical application through hands-on exercises using the R programming language. By the end of the semester, students will develop an original research project using text as data.

• Department: Data Science for Policy
• Instructor: Tamar Mitts
  h-index: 5 Info
• 3 points

Indian Economy in Transition

This course offers an in-depth examination of the Indian economy as it undergoes a significant transformation from a traditional agrarian system to a modern industrial and service-based economy. Designed for students with a strong foundation in micro- and macroeconomics, this course applies core economic principles to analyze India’s post-independence economic development, growth dynamics, structural reforms, trends in poverty and inequality, labor markets, urbanization, and macroeconomic policy. Students will gain both analytical skills and substantive knowledge through lectures, readings, and writing assignments that engage with current policy debates. Grading is based on three short op-ed style essays and a final policy paper on a contemporary issue. Pre-reqs: Strong understanding of principles-level microeconomics and macroeconomics.

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• Instructor: Arvind Panagariya
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Asian Financial Markets

Pre-req: SIPA IA6401 - Macroeconomic Analysis. 
This course offers a comprehensive examination of the structure, evolution, and policy challenges of financial markets across Asia, focusing on key economies including Japan, China, India, South Korea, and ASEAN member states. It provides a historical overview of Asian financial development from the 1960s to the present, emphasizing the role of financial markets in supporting economic growth.

A central focus of the course is the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997–98, exploring its causes, policy responses, and long-term impacts on financial governance. Students will analyze the IMF’s controversial role during the crisis and the subsequent shift in Asian countries’ approaches to capital flows, exchange rate regimes, and monetary policy. The course also investigates the region’s efforts toward financial integration, cooperation, and institutional reform.

The second half of the course reviews the development trajectories of individual financial markets across Asia, with particular attention to Japan’s liberalization and demographic challenges, China’s rise and its promotion of the Renminbi as a global currency, and India’s financial sector reforms. The course further explores emerging issues including central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), infrastructure investment, and regional responses to global financial shifts.

Students will engage with current policy debates, case studies, and academic literature to understand the interplay between macroeconomic policy, financial regulation, and international finance in Asia.

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• Instructor: Takatoshi Ito
  Wikipedia h-index: 70 Info
• 3 points

Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Terrorism & Counterterror

This course examines the origins and development of modern terrorism, the challenges it poses to states and the international system, and the strategies employed to confront it. The course explores a wide range of terrorist groups, assessing the psychological, political, socioeconomic, and religious factors that contribute to terrorist violence. Students will also evaluate the effectiveness and ethical implications of various counterterrorism approaches. The course is structured in two parts. Part I addresses the nature, causes, tactics, and objectives of terrorism and terrorist organizations. Part II focuses on counterterrorism, including U.S. policy responses, international strategies, and the tension between security and democratic values.

• Department: International Security & Diplomacy
• Instructor: Stuart M Gottlieb
  CULPA: 12 Info
• 3 points

Seminar in Urban Politics and Policy

S. Urban Politics and Pol

All public policy occurs within a political context. The purpose of this seminar is to examine how politics impacts policy in America’s large cities. While we rely on case material from American cities, the theoretical frameworks, problems, and policy solutions we consider are relevant to understanding public policy in any global city.

Cities are not legal entities defined in the American Constitution. Yet, historically, they have developed a politics and policymaking process that at once seems archetypically American and strangely foreign. We will consider who has power in cities and how that impacts policy priorities; whether America’s traditional institutions of representation “work” for urban America; how the city functions within our federal system; and whether neighborhood democracy is a meaningful construct. We will also consider the impact of politics on urban policymaking. Can cities solve the myriad problems of their populations under existing institutional arrangements? How are cities being affected by the post-pandemic work-from-home economy? Do the economic and social factors that impact urban politics and policy limit a city’s capacity to find and implement solutions to urban problems? How has increasing income inequality and persistent racial discrimination impacted urban governance and policy making? Does political protest result in changes in urban policy? Finally, can urban politics be restructured to better address problems of inequity and racial justice. Do cities have a viable economic future in post-pandemic America?

• Department: Urban and Social Policy
• Instructor: Patricia A Kirkland
  Info
• 3 points

Environmental Justice and Climate Resili

Env Justice & Climate Act

This course examines the intersections of race, equity, and environmental policy, focusing on the principles and practice of environmental justice and climate resiliency. Environmental justice asserts that all people have the right to live and work in healthy communities, free from environmental harm. The course explores how structural racism and historic policy decisions have contributed to disproportionate environmental burdens in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods, while also examining how climate change further exacerbates these inequities.

Students will gain a deep understanding of New York City and New York State climate policies, with connections to federal and international frameworks. Drawing on case studies, policy analysis, and community-led research, the course equips students to engage in efforts that address cumulative environmental hazards, promote equitable climate adaptation, and strengthen community resilience. Coursework integrates diverse disciplines including political science, urban ecology, economics, and sociology, as well as the perspectives of practitioners and advocates through guest lectures and applied assignments.

• Department: Climate, Energy, & Environment
• Instructor: Annel M Hernandez
  Info
• 3 points

Advanced Computing for Policy

Pre-req: DSPC IA6000 - Computing in Context, 
or see option for testing out
. 
 In Computing in Context, students “explored computing concepts and coding in the context of solving policy problems.” Building off that foundation of Python fundamentals and data analysis, Advanced Computing for Policy goes both deeper and broader. The course covers computer science concepts like data structures and algorithms, as well as supporting systems like databases, cloud services, and collaboration tools. Over the semester, students will build a complex end-to-end data system. This course prepares students for more advanced data science coursework at SIPA, and equips them to do sophisticated data ingestion, analysis, and presentation in research/industry.

• Department: Data Science for Policy
• Instructor: Aidan Feldman
  Info
• 3 points

Japanese Financial Policy & Economy

This course provides a comprehensive analysis of the Japanese economy and financial policy from the postwar period through the present, examining its implications for both advanced and emerging market economies. Topics include Japan’s rapid economic growth in the 1950s–60s, financial liberalization in the 1970s–80s, the asset bubble and its collapse in the 1990s, prolonged deflation, unconventional monetary policies, and challenges posed by demographic transition and high public debt.

Students will analyze monetary, fiscal, and financial supervisory policies, and evaluate key episodes such as the banking crisis of 1997–98, the “lost two decades,” and the Abenomics policy era. The course also addresses Japan’s evolving role in international finance, the yen’s status as an international currency, and the concept of “Cheap Japan.”

Through Japan’s experience, the course offers broader insights into economic growth, financial stability, and policy innovation—relevant to countries facing rapid development, capital account liberalization, deflationary pressures, or aging populations.

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• Instructor: Takatoshi Ito
  Wikipedia h-index: 70 Info
• 3 points

Artificial Intelligence Institutions

AI Institutions

Pre-requisites: Microeconomics. Students would benefit from previous coding experience, but software development is not a strict requirement. 
Our institutions were developed in a context with different technologies: where travel and communication were slow and expensive, and thinking had to be done by humans. New technologies afford—and may require—different ways of organizing society. We will consider historical episodes of technological change and our current era, following how shifts in technology can shift the economy and society. We will first use this course itself as a laboratory to explore the impacts of AI on education. We will then consider how AI may reshape other sectors, including governance, transportation, and defense; and the cross-cutting questions it raises about values, economic wellbeing, and purpose.

• Department: Data Science for Policy
• Instructor: Daniel C Bjorkegren
  Info
• 3 points

Critical Issues in Urban Public Policy

This course is designed to prepare future policymakers to critically analyze and evaluate key urban policy issues in US cities. It is unique in offering exposure to both practical leadership experience and urban policy scholarship that will equip students to meet the challenges that face urban areas. Students are responsible for all the required readings and they will hear from an exciting array of guest lecturers from the governmental, not for-profit, and private sectors. Drawing from my experiences as former Mayor of Philadelphia, I will lay out fundamental issues of urban governance and policymaking, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities cities are now facing.

• Department: Urban and Social Policy
• Instructor: Michael A Nutter
  Info
• 3 points

International Trade

This course explores both the theory and policy of international trade. In the first half, students will learn why countries trade, what determines trade patterns, and how trade affects prices, welfare, and income distribution. Key models covered include the Ricardian, Specific Factors, and Heckscher-Ohlin models, along with extensions on migration and offshoring. In the second half, the course focuses on trade policy instruments such as tariffs, quotas, and subsidies, examining their effects under different market structures. Topics include the political economy of trade, strategic trade policy, climate and agricultural subsidies, and international trade agreements. Prior coursework in microeconomics is required. Students will develop both analytical and applied understanding of global trade issues.

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• Instructor: Arvind Panagariya
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Conduct of War

The conduct of war is central to international security policy. Even when unused, the ability to wage war effectively underpins deterrence and shapes foreign policy. Military organization, training, and strategy are built around this capacity, and the institutions that support it exist largely to ensure effectiveness in conflict. A strong grasp of modern warfare theory and practice is essential for anyone pursuing a career in security policy. This course provides a foundation in the conduct of war, preparing students for professional roles in government agencies, legislative offices, think tanks, and international organizations. It focuses on developing the analytical skills and conceptual tools needed for early-career success and long-term growth in the defense policy field. While the course includes critical thinking and key concepts, it is intended as targeted professional preparation rather than general education. The course complements ISDI IA6000: Foundations of International Security Policy, ISDI IA7250: Military Technology Assessment, and ISDI IA7275: Methods for Defense Analysis. While these courses may be taken independently, this course does not address topics such as war’s causes, ethics, or technology evaluation, which are covered elsewhere. Instead, it concentrates on the theory and practice of how wars are conducted.

• Department: International Security & Diplomacy
• 3 points

Design for Social Innovation

This project-based course equips students with the tools of human-centered design to address real-world challenges in the social sector. Working in interdisciplinary teams, students act as “intrapreneurs,” designing solutions on behalf of nonprofit, government, and social enterprise clients. Through a structured 12-week innovation cycle, students move through four design phases:
Explore
(stakeholder research and mapping),
Reframe
(synthesis and insight development),
Generate
(ideation and concept creation), and
Prototype
(building and testing solutions).

Students develop key competencies in design thinking, project and client management, stakeholder interviewing, problem framing, prototyping, and storytelling. The course culminates in a final presentation and deliverables that include an implementation blueprint and pitch materials for client use.

Client organizations span sectors such as education, food systems, sustainability, and civic engagement. Class meetings include workshops, presentations, feedback sessions, and one-on-one team advising. Deliverables are team-based, and participation is evaluated through both class engagement and weekly reflections.

This course is designed for students seeking hands-on experience in social innovation and a creative, collaborative approach to systems-level change.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• Instructor: Sarah M Holloway
  CULPA: 1 Info
• 3 points

The Politics of Defense in the United St

Politics of U.S. Defense

This course examines how national security and defense policy are developed and implemented in the U.S., focusing on political processes and institutional dynamics. Topics include military strategy, budgeting, force structure, acquisition, personnel policy, and the use of force. Students explore five key dimensions: partisan politics, Congress–Executive relations, civil-military relations, inter-service dynamics, and coordination across federal agencies. While grounded in U.S. policy, the course addresses global contexts and current debates, including defense reform, great-power competition, and the sustainability of the all-volunteer force. Readings span historical and contemporary sources.

• Department: International Security & Diplomacy
• Instructor: Michael O'Hanlon
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Human Rights Skills and Advocacy

Human Rights Skills & Adv

This course equips students with practical skills for designing and implementing human rights advocacy strategies. Through a mix of case studies, simulations, and applied writing assignments, students will learn how to identify advocacy goals, analyze targets and power structures, and select effective tactics. The course explores advocacy with governments, legislatures, and UN bodies, as well as the use of media, digital tools, and coalition-building to advance human rights.

Students will develop and refine an advocacy strategy on a current human rights issue of their choosing, supported by assignments such as op-eds, advocacy letters, and submissions to UN mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on ethical research methods, effective messaging, and impact evaluation. Class sessions are interactive and include mock advocacy meetings, guest speakers, and structured feedback on peer work.

Taught by two experienced human rights advocates, the course draws on real-world campaigns and encourages critical reflection on challenges to human rights work in restrictive and high-risk environments.

• Department: Human Rights, Gender, and Equity
• 3 points

Climate Tech & Regenerative Entrepreneur

Clim Tech & Regen Enterpr

The course will focus on the knowledge and skills required to research, ideate, thoughtfully plan, and pitch a new business aimed at mitigating climate-related challenges. The course will serve as a laboratory for students to sharpen their entrepreneurial abilities and deepen their understanding of climate change and related challenges, and how to meaningfully address them. Teams will work on challenges addressing vital systems (food, water, energy), built systems (buildings, mobility, cities), care systems (health, mental health/climate grief, etc) and aimed at sharpening their entrepreneurial abilities and deepening their understanding of climate change and related challenges, and how to meaningfully address them to support a just transition to a regenerative future. Class process will include: 1) identifying and defining a climate challenge they want to solve; 2) engaging in research, need finding, customer discovery and development; 3) ideation for mitigation and adaptation solutions; 4) Prototyping for customer/expert feedback; 5) Creations viable implementation plans & budgets; and 6) practiing pitching to potential partners and investors.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• 3 points

Scale Up Ventures: Growing a Business Ou

Scale-Up Ventures & Polic

This course explores the strategies, tools, and policy environments required to scale ventures beyond the startup phase, particularly in regions outside traditional tech hubs such as Silicon Valley. Students examine the entrepreneurial journey from early traction to sustained growth, considering both bottom-up approaches focused on talent, capital, and customer acquisition, and top-down approaches focused on policy and ecosystem design. Emphasis is placed on high-impact sectors including AI, blockchain, fintech, and edtech, as well as opportunities in underserved markets. Through guest lectures, written assignments, and a team-based final project, students gain practical insight into entrepreneurship, venture capital, and leadership strategies that support scale. The course is designed for students interested in launching ventures, supporting innovation ecosystems, or shaping policies that foster economic growth.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• Instructor: Fernando Fabre
  Info
• 3 points

Building & Scaling Social Impact Program

Build/Scale Social Impact

This course examines how public, private, and nonprofit organizations attempt to address complex social problems through programs, partnerships, and philanthropic investment. The first half explores historical and contemporary interventions across sectors, with attention to trade-offs, incentives, and consequences. Through case studies and critical readings, students analyze how trust, governance, and accountability shape outcomes. The second half focuses on the practice of designing and scaling social impact programs, emphasizing theory of change, evaluation, and strategic alignment. Assignments include strategy and fundraising memos, a final impact plan, and a presentation. This seminar equips students with analytical, writing, and communication skills relevant to leadership roles in the social impact field.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• Instructor: Thomas Ogletree
  Info
• 3 points

Storytelling and The Art of Creating Soc

Storytelling & Social Imp

This seminar explores the strategy and storytelling behind effective social impact campaigns. Through case studies on topics such as reproductive rights, racial justice, teen pregnancy, and climate change, students will examine why certain narratives succeed in shifting public opinion and policy. The course draws on theories of moral psychology, values-based messaging, and campaign strategy to analyze how leaders and organizations mobilize audiences, engage diverse stakeholders, and measure impact.

Students will study high-profile campaigns, meet with leading practitioners, and develop their own group-based social impact campaign project. Emphasis is placed on applying narrative frameworks to real-world advocacy, understanding audience motivations, and crafting media strategies across platforms.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• Instructor: Stephen Friedman
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Human Rights and the Politics of Inequal

Human Rights & Inequality

This course examines the intersection of human rights and economic inequality, exploring how political and economic governance influence access to rights and justice. Students will assess how human rights principles are integrated into economic policy frameworks, including trade, labor, development, and environmental regulation, and how these frameworks shape both public accountability and corporate responsibility.

Through case studies and policy analysis, the course introduces practical tools for advancing human rights in multilateral institutions, national governments, and private-sector operations. Topics include the role of grievance mechanisms tied to trade agreements and development finance, global supply chains, labor standards, and the impact of environmental policy on marginalized populations. Students will analyze pathways to embed human rights criteria into decision-making, and consider the limits and opportunities of current governance structures in addressing inequality.

• Department: Human Rights, Gender, and Equity
• 3 points

Rethinking Human Rights and Humanitarian

Rethinking Rights & Aid

This advanced seminar critically examines the evolving challenges, limitations, and potential of human rights and humanitarianism as frameworks for justice and global governance. Centering human rights discourse, the course invites students to examine foundational concepts such as universality, accountability, sovereignty, and identity, while addressing complex topics and challenging cases. Through case studies, normative debates, and applied advocacy tools, students explore the responsibilities of state and non-state actors, the contested definition of the “human” in rights claims, and strategies for persuasion, enforcement, and reform in both policy and practice. Course themes include: The political limits and promise of human rights in global and national contexts; Accountability gaps across governments, corporations, and armed groups; The status of refugees, displaced persons, and marginalized groups; Humanitarian dilemmas, transitional justice, and foreign policy advocacy; The rise and fall of doctrines such as Responsibility to Protect (R2P); and Pragmatism, realism, and human rights under states of exception.

• Department: Human Rights, Gender, and Equity
• Instructor: Andrew C Heinrich
  Info
• 3 points

Seminar in International Political Econo

Sem. Int'l Political Econ

This graduate seminar explores the politics of international economic relations, with a focus on contemporary issues in trade, finance, monetary policy, foreign investment, climate change, and globalization. Rather than surveying the entire field of international political economy (IPE), the course investigates selected topics in depth, emphasizing how interests, institutions, and interactions shape economic policy across borders.

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• Instructor: Jeffry A Frieden
  Info
• 3 points

Military Technology Assessment

Technology is central to modern defense debates in the United States and globally. Its assessment underpins core functions across the defense policy and planning community, including budgeting, modernization, intelligence, campaign planning, force design, and program management. In the U.S., this work spans think tanks, Defense Department offices, Congressional and Service staffs, the intelligence community, and the defense industry. These assessments influence hundreds of billions in spending and carry life-and-death stakes in wartime.

The demand for analysts with the ability to assess military technology is high. Thousands perform or rely on this work, making it a critical and widely applicable skill for early- and mid-career professionals in the defense field.

This course prepares students for that work by introducing the fundamentals of military technology and its analysis in policymaking contexts. It does not assume prior technical background, nor is it an engineering course. Instead, it focuses on how technologies function and interact under design constraints, and how to assess their operational utility.

The course complements other SIPA security courses, especially
The Conduct of War
and
Methods for Defense Policy Analysis
. It does not cover broader strategic or policy debates, which are addressed elsewhere in the curriculum. While the course can stand alone, it is most useful when paired with related coursework.

• Department: International Security & Diplomacy
• Instructor: Stephen Biddle
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Using Big Data to Develop Public Policy

Using Data for Policy Des

This applied course provides students with foundational skills to analyze and interpret publicly available datasets for public policy decision-making. Emphasizing hands-on learning, the course covers data sourcing, cleaning, research design, statistical analysis, and data visualization using Stata. Students will explore real-world challenges across topics such as poverty, education, housing, and public health, culminating in a data-based policy memo developed through collaborative group work.

• Department: Urban and Social Policy
• Instructor: Francesco Brindisi
  CULPA: 1 Info
• 3 points

Energy and Power Financing Markets

Energy & Power Finance Ma

This course explores the financing structures that underpin the development and transformation of global energy and power markets. Students will examine how asset-based, project, and tax-driven financing mechanisms have evolved to meet the growing demands for conventional and clean energy, and how these tools can be leveraged to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. Through case studies and lectures, the course introduces the financial, regulatory, and policy frameworks that shape energy markets, with an emphasis on U.S. practices and instruments. Topics include reserve-based lending in oil and gas, project financing for power generation, Master Limited Partnerships in midstream infrastructure, and renewable energy finance strategies. Special focus is placed on aligning commercial viability with sustainable development objectives, addressing greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring affordable access to energy. Students will develop applied skills in evaluating financing approaches, assessing project risks, and reconciling financial structures with physical energy system requirements.

• Department: Climate, Energy, & Environment
• Instructor: Brooks James Klimley
  Info
• 3 points

Renewable Energy Project Finance Modelin

Renewable Energy Finance

This course provides a rigorous introduction to renewable energy project finance modeling, focusing on the concepts, structures, and financial mechanisms that underpin investment in renewable energy projects such as wind and solar. Through lectures, demonstrations, and guided analysis of actual project documents and contracts, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the key drivers of renewable energy economics and financing.

Students will examine debt structuring, cash flow analysis, revenue modeling, risk assessment, tax incentives, and the impact of policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act. The course emphasizes the development of best practices in financial modeling and the critical evaluation of project structures, with particular attention to the challenges and considerations unique to renewable energy assets.

Participants will learn to analyze project agreements, assess project risks, build robust financial models, and evaluate project viability from the perspective of developers, lenders, and investors. The curriculum integrates lectures on technical and contractual fundamentals, discussion of policy implications, and instruction on modeling techniques, culminating in the creation of a detailed project finance model.

• Department: Climate, Energy, & Environment
• 3 points

Equity in American Public Education

Equity in Public Educatio

This course examines the challenges and opportunities in 21st-century public education policy, spanning from Pre-K to higher education, with a particular focus on issues of race, poverty, equity, and access in the post-COVID landscape and within the context of the 2024 U.S. election. Through a case-based, solutions-oriented approach, students examine the role of government, philanthropy, and other stakeholders in shaping public education outcomes. Guest speakers and readings support discussion of core questions about structural reform, historical legacies, college access, and global perspectives on education systems.

• Department: Urban and Social Policy
• Instructor: Lisa Belzberg
  Info
• 1.5 points

Human Rights, Gender, and Equity Simulat

HRGE Simulation

This simulation course is a short two-day course designed to enable participating students to weigh and apply human rights principles, best practices, and standards to simulated human rights emergencies. The simulation exercise challenges student participants with issues facing human rights practitioners when responding to human rights crises and provides practice operating within the human rights system and devising innovative solutions to complex challenges.  Participants will evaluate data reports, assess relevant human rights tools and mechanisms, and propose interventions.  The simulation will include a day of simultaneous exercises, followed by another day of debriefing, evaluation, and identification of key challenges and lessons.

• Department: Human Rights, Gender, and Equity
• 1.5 points

Economic Development for International A

This course introduces students to the economic analysis of development processes and policies in low- and middle-income countries. It examines foundational concepts in development economics, including poverty and inequality, human capital, economic growth, structural transformation, and sustainability. The course emphasizes both theoretical frameworks and empirical methods, providing students with analytical tools for assessing development policies and programs. Students will explore topics such as the measurement of development, macroeconomic policies, trade and industrialization, the environmental dimensions of poverty reduction, and the use of experiments and data analysis to inform policy decisions.

• Department: Development and Governance
• Instructor: Andrew Simons
  Info
• 3 points

Economic Development for International A

This course introduces students to the economic analysis of development processes and policies in low- and middle-income countries. It examines foundational concepts in development economics, including poverty and inequality, human capital, economic growth, structural transformation, and sustainability. The course emphasizes both theoretical frameworks and empirical methods, providing students with analytical tools for assessing development policies and programs. Students will explore topics such as the measurement of development, macroeconomic policies, trade and industrialization, the environmental dimensions of poverty reduction, and the use of experiments and data analysis to inform policy decisions.

• Department: Development and Governance
• Instructor: Andrew Simons
  Info
• 3 points

Failures and Successes of Three Decades

Peacemaking: Lessons & Fa

This course examines three decades of international peacemaking efforts to assess what has been learned, and what has been unlearned, through major conflicts. Drawing on the instructor’s experience leading UN peacekeeping operations and conflict resolution initiatives, the course explores case studies from various regions, including Rwanda, Bosnia, Libya, Syria, Colombia, Ukraine, and Israel-Palestine. Students will analyze how geopolitical shifts, institutional capacities, and strategic choices have influenced outcomes. The course pays particular attention to the United Nations' involvement, the evolution of doctrines such as the Responsibility to Protect, and the role of external actors.

• Department: International Security & Diplomacy
• Instructor: Jean-Marie Guehenno
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Corporate Finance

This course provides an introduction to corporate finance, focusing on how firms assess funding needs, evaluate investment opportunities, and select financing strategies. The course equips future policymakers and practitioners with core analytical tools in financial decision-making. Topics include working capital management, cost of capital, security valuation, capital structure, and free cash flow analysis. Emphasis is placed on applying financial concepts to real-world situations through case studies, quantitative problem sets, and hands-on modeling. Students will gain exposure to Excel-based analysis and decision-making under uncertainty. Prior coursework in accounting is required, and fluency in Excel is essential.

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• Instructor: Deborah McLean
  Info
• 3 points

Corporate Finance

This course provides an introduction to corporate finance, focusing on how firms assess funding needs, evaluate investment opportunities, and select financing strategies. The course equips future policymakers and practitioners with core analytical tools in financial decision-making. Topics include working capital management, cost of capital, security valuation, capital structure, and free cash flow analysis. Emphasis is placed on applying financial concepts to real-world situations through case studies, quantitative problem sets, and hands-on modeling. Students will gain exposure to Excel-based analysis and decision-making under uncertainty. Prior coursework in accounting is required, and fluency in Excel is essential.

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• Instructor: Deborah McLean
  Info
• 3 points

Topics in Corporate Finance

This course examines the real-world application of corporate finance across both developed and emerging markets. Drawing on the instructor’s 30 years of experience in global equity research, the course examines how investors value companies, how firms build and allocate capital, and how financial markets respond to corporate behavior and economic conditions.

Topics include capital structure, valuation techniques, investor activism, corporate governance, ESG considerations, asset bubbles, fraud detection, and private equity. Special sessions feature guest speakers from Wall Street and case-based discussions grounded in current market trends.

Students will gain practical exposure to forecasting, strategic financial analysis, and investor behavior through interactive lectures and assignments. Readings include both foundational finance texts and real-world case studies. 

Pre-reqs
: At least one prior finance course (IFEP IA7301 Corporate Finance is strongly recommended; IFEP IA7022 or IFEP IA7045 acceptable). A background in accounting (e.g., SIPA IA6200) and working knowledge of Excel are preferred.

• Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
• Instructor: Michael N Eastwood
  Info
• 3 points

Climate Change, Rights, and Development

Climate, Rights & Develop

This interdisciplinary course examines the complex intersections of climate science, human rights, and sustainable development. Students will first explore the fundamentals of Earth’s climate systems and core human rights frameworks. The course then analyzes how global climate disruption intersects with social vulnerability, equity, and justice. Topics include the science of climate variability, international climate governance, climate change litigation, migration and displacement, adaptation strategies, and sector-specific impacts on food, health, and livelihoods. Special attention is given to the experiences of frontline communities and small island states, as well as to policy responses grounded in climate justice.

• Department: Human Rights, Gender, and Equity
• 3 points

Impact Investing: Essential Skills

Impact Investing: Skills

This experiential course prepares students for careers in the growing field of impact investing by building essential practical skills. Students will analyze real investments, assess both financial viability and impact potential, and simulate the due diligence and negotiation process from sourcing to term sheet. Through case studies, hands-on assignments, and team-based presentations, students will learn how to evaluate and structure impact investments. The course emphasizes applied tools used in the field and offers insight into pathways for careers in impact finance.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• 1.5 points

Economic Development in Latin America

Econ Dev in Latin America

This course examines the evolution of Latin American economies and their social impacts from independence to the present. Combining historical and contemporary perspectives, it reviews major development phases, including the export era, state-led industrialization, market reforms, and recent crises such as COVID-19. The course emphasizes comparative analysis of the region’s structural change, macroeconomic management, trade strategies, social policies, and debates over inequality. Students will analyze long-term economic trends and institutional legacies, assess policy frameworks, and explore challenges and opportunities for equitable and sustainable growth.

• Department: Development and Governance
• Instructor: Jose A Ocampo
  Wikipedia h-index: 77 Info
• 3 points

Race Policy and American Politics

Race & Politics in the U.

This course explores the complex and enduring relationship between race and American politics. Since the founding of the United States, political institutions have shaped evolving definitions of race, and racial inequality has remained a persistent feature of American society. As a result, race and politics remain inextricably linked.

The course examines how racial disparities—and efforts to address them—affect local, state, and national political dynamics. Drawing frequently on examples from New York City, students will analyze intergroup relations among Black, white, Latino, and Asian communities, as well as the causes and consequences of contemporary racial mobilization. The course will also address the influence of executive leadership, including the ongoing impact of the Trump administration’s rhetoric and policies on racial discourse and governance.

Students will begin with a historical overview of race as an organizing concept, then turn to contemporary themes such as inequality, governance, and the role of institutions in perpetuating or challenging systemic disparities. Topics include disenfranchisement, gentrification, civil rights, economic mobility, and spatial access.

The course engages a range of policy areas, including education, immigration, housing, health, elections, poverty, political representation, transportation, and criminal justice. These will be considered in relation to party politics, group identity, coalition building, and intergroup conflict, with attention to both change and continuity in the intersection of race and American public life.

Guiding questions include: What role does collective racial identity play in shaping policy demands? Should race-based policymaking continue at the local, national, or international level? What lessons can be drawn from coalition politics in New York City and beyond? And what does meaningful political change look like in the twenty-first century United States?

• Department: Urban and Social Policy
• Instructor: Christina M Greer
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Race, Gender, and Political Change

Race, Gender & Politics

This course examines how the current racial and social justice awakening, at the intersection of race and gender—is reshaping American politics and policy. Through case studies and guest speakers, students will examine the impact of movements such as # MeToo and Black Lives Matter on voting rights, governance, and philanthropy. The course asks whether the United States has fulfilled its promise of representative government and considers how policymakers might address persistent systemic barriers to political power based on race and gender.

Students will analyze structural inequality and its effects across institutions, policies, and public discourse. Emphasis will be placed on actionable strategies to advance equity within inherently inequitable systems. The course is designed to equip emerging policy professionals with the tools to foster more inclusive leadership and effect lasting change.

• Department: Urban and Social Policy
• Instructor: Jeri E Powell
  Info
• 1.5 points

Artificial Intelligence and Climate Chan

AI and Climate Change

This advanced seminar examines the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The course explores how AI can reduce greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors such as power, manufacturing, and food systems, as well as the challenges posed by AI’s own energy use and carbon footprint. Students analyze opportunities and risks associated with deploying AI tools for climate action, including large language models and machine learning applications.

• Department: Climate, Energy, & Environment
• 1.5 points

Social Value Investing: a Framework for

Cross-Sector Partnerships

Today’s leaders must confront increasingly complex challenges, from climate change to inequality, that demand innovative and collaborative approaches. This course introduces students to the Social Value Investing framework, a five-point management model developed at Columbia University to guide and evaluate cross-sector partnerships (CSPs). Drawing on decades of faculty research, students will examine how leaders across the public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors have built effective alliances to address critical social and environmental problems.

Through a mix of theory, case studies, and applied tools, students will gain practical insights into the formation, governance, and performance measurement of CSPs. Emphasis will be placed on organizational design, leadership practices, and techniques for managing impact across sectoral boundaries. Weekly sessions will include lectures, group exercises, short videos, case-based discussions, and applied impact measurement activities.

Note: Students who have taken
Public Management Innovation
with Professors Buffett and Eimicke are not eligible to enroll.

• Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
• 3 points