Data Analysis for Policy Research Using

Data Analysis Using R

Prerequisites: Instructor-Managed Waitlist, Course Application, and SIPAU6501 - Quantitative Analysis II.
This course will develop the skills to prepare, analyze, and present data for policy analysis and program evaluation using R. In Quant I and II, students are introduced to probability and statistics, regression analysis and causal inference. In this course we focus on the practical application of these skills to explore data and policy questions on your own. The goal is to help students become effective analysts and policy researchers:  given available data, what sort of analysis would best inform our policy questions? How do we prepare data and implement statistical methods using R? How can we begin to draw conclusions about the causal effects of policies, not just correlation? We’ll learn these skills by exploring data on a range of policy topics: COVID-19 cases; racial bias in NYPD subway fare evasion enforcement; the distribution of Village Fund grants in Indonesia; US police shootings; wage gaps by gender/race; and student projects on topics of your choosing.

• R 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• 0 points

Emerging Financial Systems: Brazil, Indi

Emerging Financial Systms

This course examines the workings of a select group of emerging financial systems, providing students with the tools to assess the efficacy of the financial system as a key pillar for a country’s sustained economic development and growth. Characteristics analyzed include the roles of domestic private, public sector and foreign banks; market volatility and credit supply; systemic resilience and regulation; fintech developments and implications; access to foreign capital; breadth and depth of domestic capital markets; and climate change developments and implications. The course methodology is to select an important emerging financial system as anchor (Brazil) for comparisons with those of three other major G-20 emerging economies: India, Indonesia, and Mexico.

• M 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Fernando Sotelino
  Info
• 3 points

Macroeconometrics

The course aims to analyze dynamic, multivariate interactions in evolutionary and non-stationary processes. The course first considers stationary univariate time-series processes and then extend the analysis to non-stationary processes and multivariate processes. The course covers a review of linear dynamic time-series models and focus on the concept of cointegration, as many applications lend themselves to dynamic systems of equilibrium-correction relations. In the final analysis, the course is aimed at presenting a certain number of econometric techniques the mastery of which is becoming increasingly inevitable in professional circles.

• R 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• W 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Noha Emara
  CULPA: 7 Info
• 3 points

Empirical Econometric Project

This course aims to provide students with further instruction on how (1) to motivate detailed empirical analysis on a research question of their choice, (2) to justify and to design appropriate econometric tests using relevant time-series, cross-sectional, or panel data, etc., and (3) to draw accurate inferences—as well as direct policy implications—from their results for a wide audience. To meet this objective, the key course requirement is to write an empirical policy paper that details (1)–(3) in no more than 5000 words total (including exhibits, references, etc.), geared not for academics but for economic policymakers or other practitioners. Also, students will be required to report their findings to their instructor, advisors, and fellow students during 10- to 15-minute slide presentations toward the end of the semester.

• M 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: John Benson Durham
  Info
• 1.5 points

North Korea: State, Society, Diplomacy,

N. Korea- State & Securit

After completing the course, students will be able to intelligently discuss and critically analyze issues related to North Korea’s state, society, diplomacy, and security. This includes a nuanced understanding of critical areas such as: the Korean Peninsula’s division and war, North Korea’s economic management, strategy, military, human rights abuses, gender roles, social changes, propaganda and outside information, denuclearization diplomacy, and alternate approaches to nuclear North Korea. To present a variety of perspectives and viewpoints, the reading list includes works of history, analyses by political scientists, primary documents including diplomatic cables, memoirs by North Korean refugees, documentary videos, and news articles. Students engage analytically with the material, steered by weekly guided questions to comprehend the different sides of issues and develop an informed perspective.

• T 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Jonathan Corrado
  Info
• 3 points

Advanced Computing for Policy

Pre-req: INAF U6006 - 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.” Advanced Computing for Policy goes deeper, giving students a better understanding of computer science fundamentals and moving them beyond “beginners”. That code will then be applied to data using Python and packages like pandas. Students will also learn how data works in a broader context by using APIs, databases, and cloud services, culminating in building a complex end-to-end data system. These foundational computing and data skills will prepare students for more advanced data science coursework at SIPA.

• R 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• F 2:20 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Aidan Feldman
  Info
• 3 points

China s Foreign Relations

This course will review and analyze the foreign policy of the Peoples Republic of China from 1949 to the present. It will examine Beijings relations with the Soviet Union, the United States, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Third World during the Cold War, and will discuss Chinese foreign policy in light of the end of the Cold War, changes in the Chinese economy in the reform era, the post-Tiananmen legitimacy crisis in Beijing, and the continuing rise of Chinese power and influence in Asia and beyond. This lecture course will analyze the causes and consequences of Beijing’s foreign policies from 1949 to the present.

• F 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
• F 11 a.m.-noon
• Instructor: Thomas J Christensen
  CULPA: 2 Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

US-China Relations in Historical Perspec

History of US-China Relat

The relationship between China and the United States is now, and will likely continue to be, the most important international relationship of our era. But this relationship has a long history, which we must study if we wish to understand present and future challenges and opportunities more fully. In this course, students will explore diverse aspects of the history of Sino-American relations since the early nineteenth century. We will cover major episodes such as the Boxer intervention, the first and second world wars, the Korean War, the Mao-Nixon rapprochement, and the post-Mao relationship. We will also examine central themes such as trade, migration, cultural perceptions, war, and revolution. It is also designed to help undergraduate students develop and complete historical research projects of their own, using archival materials to answer questions of contemporary policy relevance.

• M 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Anatol E Klass
  Info
• 3 points

Sustainable Finance I: Foundations of ES

This course discusses how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) information and objectives can be incorporated in investment portfolios. ESG objectives are important for investors representing trillions of dollars, and may affect their portfolios’ risk and return. We will consider ways in which investors can articulate their financial and non-financial portfolio goals across a variety of asset classes, and the potential for ESG-minded asset owners to impact the issuers whose securities they invest in. The course will blend academic research with case studies from investment practice.

• M 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• T 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Lukasz Pomorski
  Info
• 3 points

Sustainable Finance II: System-level Inv

Prerequisites: Instructor-Managed Waitlist & Course Application.
Investing always evolves. The investing challenges of the 21st century are new, destabilizing, and systemic. They involve complex, interconnected global issues that impact societies and economies. To finance a more sustainable world—and, arguably, maximize returns while minimizing risk—investing needs to consider the interplay and interdependencies between investment, the real economy, and the most complex challenges facing our environmental, social, and financial systems. System-level investing does just that.

• R 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• 3 points

History of Sustainable Investing

This course will track the history of sustainable investing from the 1970s, in order to better understand the field, what it’s been doing, and where it stands now. We will start with the emergence of sustainable investment in the 1970s as it congealed strands of community organizing, consumer society, institutional activism from community organizing, labor activism, and institutional investor assertion into a new set of specific institutions and practices; continue through the shareholder activism and professionalization of the field in the 1980s and 1990; turn to the substantial growth and mainstreaming of the field from 2000s; and finally bring our history up to the present moment of policymaking, backlash, and self-doubt in the field. We will ask questions like: what did practitioners and advocates hope to achieve by building the field of sustainable investment? What kinds of work, in what kinds of institutions, made up the field? What are the political and ideological contexts in which the field emerged, and how have they changed over time? Why did something seen as so marginal back become so much more central to how we talk about finance and financial policy now? What does this history tells us about the (potential) utility of sustainable investment?

• W 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: David C Wood
  Info
• 1.5 points

Climate Finance, Policy, and the Just Tr

Clim Fin, Pol, & Transtn

The field of responsible investment has grown rapidly over the last twenty years, with the climate crisis serving as the paradigmatic ESG issue for investors. In the private sector, investors pledge to decarbonize their portfolios, ask for carbon reporting to manage that task, join together to engage corporations on their transition plans. As activity has grown, questions about the effectiveness and limitations of climate finance approaches to the climate crisis have grown along with them. A narrow focus on decarbonization has begun to give way to broader considerations of the transition and the risks and opportunities it poses for affected workers and communities, on the belief that social cohesion is a precondition for successful transition.

Private sector initiatives have been complemented with public policy and public investment efforts to shape environmental, social, and economic outcomes. Climate finance is in a moment of reflection, change, and doubt.

This course will survey and analyze the ways that public and private investment are being or could be directed in support of a Just Transition (i.e., a low-carbon transition that does not worsen social inequalities), and various ways to think about how effective climate finance can be. We will look at investors’ approaches to the decarbonization of the economy in political and social context, asking: how do or should investors integrate concerns for workers, communities, and environment into climate finance? what kinds of public policies are needed to ensure that investment points towards a Just Transition? The result, we hope, will lead both to a better understanding of the roles public and private investment in a Just Transition, climate policy, and an expanded critical capacity to analyze how well it’s working.

• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: David C Wood
  Info
• 3 points

Capital Market Mobilization for Mitigati

Climate change and biodiversity loss are existential threats to the planet, our own health and well-being, and the global economy. The course will identify several key players and leverage points in the capital market and elaborate on whether and how a “systems change” could be achieved to tackle these urgent challenges. In addition to governments and NGOs, the mobilization of capital markets plays a pivotal role.  To mobilize capital markets, a thorough understanding of capital markets as well as the mechanisms and obstacles at work is required, as well as innovative solutions that overcome these obstacles. This course will provide a deep dive into several financial innovations that aim to overcome these obstacles and help mobilize capital markets to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss at the system level. In this course, students will learn to think at the system-level, to understand the opportunities and challenges faced in mobilizing capital markets, and to assess concrete obstacles and whether and how financial innovations can bring scalable solutions for the benefit of society.

• T 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Frederic Samama
  Info
• 1.5 points

Impact Investing II: Blended Finance

Impact Investing II: Blended Finance'' equips students with a detailed understanding of the tools, strategies and innovative approaches being utilized by investors seeking both financial and impact returns, via blended finance transactions. Students in this course will study cases, dig into transactions and be prepared to be a professional contributor to a transaction at a future employer. Moreover, the course provides students with a further understanding of opportunities that blended transactions can provide impact investors as they aim to unlock capital markets' support to mitigate climate change, reverse biodiversity loss, address social inequality, reduce poverty, and generate other system-level challenges.

• R 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• 1.5 points

Sustainability Reporting

ESG Reporting

The Sustainability Reporting course explores the ever-evolving global Sustainability and ESG reporting environment and the standards and frameworks that are being used by companies to report on their sustainability related performance. Environmental, Social, and Governance Reporting (“ESG”) also referred to in parts as Corporate Responsibility /Accountability Reporting. The course explores the market drivers that generate the demand for sustainability reporting by companies, key areas of focus for investors and other capital providers, regulatory activities and the intersection of sustainability reporting with traditional corporate financial reporting.

• W 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Avner Bukspan
  Info
• 3 points

Quantitative Valuation of the Environmen

Quant Valuation of Enviro

The Quantitative Valuation of the Environment course will explore theory and methods of economically valuing environmental benefits and disbenefits, and how they can be applied in decision-making processes to improve stated outcomes. Specifically, it examines model specification for stated preference valuation, generating awareness of the theoretical and empirical questions being investigated in the area, generating awareness of environmental and resource issues currently being debated, and practical issues such as how these welfare economics measures can be used in efficiency measures such as benefit cost analysis.

• M 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Lorie Srivastava
  Info
• 3 points

Middle East Conflicts & Global Security

Mid East Conflicts & Glob

This course analyzes the impact of domestic and regional conflicts in the Middle East on global security. Key concepts include: regime change, revolution, insurrection, conflict management, security sector reform, arms transfers, nuclear proliferation, and counterterrorism. These conceptual tools are used for comparative analysis of three sub-regional conflict zones (Egypt/Syria/Lebanon, Iraq/Iran/Saudi Arabia and Palestine/Jordan/Israel), each of which has galvanized substantial global engagement.

• R 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Naomi Weinberger
  CULPA: 11 Info
• 3 points

Innovations in Development Finance

Innovations in Dev't Fina

The aspirations outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are in jeopardy as the world faces cascading and interrelated global crises and conflicts. It has become increasingly apparent that traditional funding modalities are falling tragically short to meet the financing requirements in addressing the SDGs - currently estimated to be around US$4.2 trillion per year. Hence, there is an urgent need to leverage alternative and innovative sources for financing development initiatives. This course will explore the intersection of development finance, strategy, and policy. It will examine the landscape of traditional development financing, provide an overview of various innovative development financing mechanisms, and reflect on the process for adapting them in particular contexts. The course will be highly interactive, involving six classes taking place over three weekends, with leading experts as guest speakers, and practical activities including an individual opinion piece, a group project and presentation, and a simulation exercise.

• FS 1:30 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Radha S Kulkarni
  Info
• 1.5 points

Gender and International Security

Gender and Intl Security

Gender has important implications for international security policy. Gender bias influences policy choices. It can lead to misunderstandings of military capability, especially for nonstate armed groups whose members include women combatants and supporters. It can aggravate the causes of war and lead to increased incidence of internal and interstate violence in settings where women are systematically mistreated or where sex imbalances create instability. And gender bias can discourage talented women from pursuing careers in security policy, denying states access to the talent and abilities in half their populations. The intersection between gender and international security has been codified internationally since at least 2000 with the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).  Other international security organizations, including NATO, have created leadership positions and devised plans related to WPS. Finally, the United States passed the Women, Peace, and Security Act in 2017 and created associated policies focused on integrating gender into the work of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense.

The course will be a sustained exploration of the ways in which gender identities and associated identity power dynamics influence international conflict, internal conflict, and international security policy. Students will gain this knowledge through specific examples and case studies and will learn how to conduct their own gender analyses of situations and environments. During the semester, students will practice their gender analysis skills through research, writing, and presentations related to gender and security. The course will be a discussion-based seminar enabling students to work through ideas and concepts collaboratively.

To begin the exploration of the topic, the class will work to craft definitions of international security and gender and discuss why these concepts can be challenging to define or understand. Subsequent classes will build upon these definitions and discuss how gender intersects with other identity factors. The course will focus on the ways in which security institutions themselves are gendered and how to create gender responsive policies. After examining the gender dynamics of security institutions, students will examine gendered strategies in conflict and in state responses to conflict dynamics.

• T 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Phoebe Donnelly
  Info
• 3 points

International Human Rights Law

Priority Reg: HRHP Concentration.
 The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the legal regime that exists--or is absent--to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights. This course is intended to introduce students to international human rights through laws, institutions, and advocacy strategies. In this class, we approach human rights law from a practitioner's perspective, which is to say that we are most interested in exploring concrete opportunities for realizing rights once we understand their theoretical and legal bases.

But to start, what is a right? What are the various legal sources of authority for these rights? What are the instruments we can utilize--and how can we utilize them--to try to advance the range of rights from civil and political to economic, social, cultural, and environmental? Who is responsible for protecting and advancing rights, and who may be held accountable for their violations? Does the existence of a right necessarily indicate the existence of a remedy?

In the past decade, human rights advocacy has extended into new realms, well beyond the 'traditional' bounds of violations by repressive governments. Despite the fact that the intersection of human rights with other social and economic justice concerns, including the environment, corporate accountability, and health, has strengthened, questions remain as to how human rights lawyers and advocates can effectively use the law to "enforce" those rights. As a way to strengthen the law, advocates have pushed the boundaries of the tools of human rights advocacy: 'naming and shaming' is still at the core, but public-private engagement to negotiate long-term monitoring programs for private corporations, calls to rights-based programming, litigation, and other tactics are now nearly routine.

In this class, we will learn the law but also explore tools for assessing when, where, and how the law matters. We will explore developments in human rights and the environment, gender analysis, intersections between human rights and humanitarian action, and corporate accountability. The course will endeavor to provide an overview of the range of substantive and procedural rights and the mechanisms and gaps in their enforcement. 
Attendance in the first class session is mandatory.

• R 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• TW 1 p.m.-2 p.m.
• Instructor: Betsy Apple
  Info
• 3 points

Risk Management for UN Crisis & Post-cri

Risk Management-UN Crisis Resp

Priority Reg: IO/UNS Specialization. 
The objective of the class is to introduce students to the practice of risk management as a tool for enabling delivery across the range of UN responses in crisis and conflict contexts, including in the areas of peace and security, human rights, development and humanitarian support. The class emphasizes skills development and their application to concrete UN crisis responses.

• M 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Marc Jacquand
  Info
• 3 points

Public Policy & Inequality in Developing

A proper development strategy must be inclusive and sustainable. Policies to fight poverty, alleviate all inequalities, and promote social mobility are the focus of this course. It deals with emerging and persistent issues in developing countries: the design of a social safety net, biodiversity and sustainability, education, gender and racial inequalities, public health, labor policies, fiscal and social responsibility, the distributive aspects of fiscal policy, taxation, and government size and efficiency. The course combines problem-based learning and lectures.

• R 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• R 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Medeiros Coelho de Souza Marce
  Info
• 3 points

Mediation in a World in Flux

This course examines the challenges and opportunities facing international peacemaking, with a particular focus on mediation as a tool to facilitate political solutions to violent conflict. Complementing other courses offered by CICR, it will provide students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of how different peacemakers and mediators – the UN and other multilateral actors, states and non-governmental organizations – are approaching the changing realities of conflict and global politics. What are the factors that impede contemporary efforts to resolve conflict? How have mediators adapted, and how should they adapt in the future, to rapid changes in geopolitics, the fragmentation of non-state armed groups and an ever-more crowded mediation field, all while resources for peace and humanitarian assistance are in decline and previously agreed norms are meeting resistance? When and how can mediators encourage conflict parties to address rapidly evolving conflict issues, including the impacts of the climate emergency and evolving digital technologies on conflict dynamics and peace processes?

• M 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Teresa Whitfield
  Info
• 1.5 points

Negotiation & Conflict Resolution

There are two purposes to this course: 1. to develop your ability to negotiate in a purposeful, principled and effective way; and 2. to teach you how to build consensus and broker wise agreements with others. Negotiation is a social skill, and like all social skills you have to practice it if you want to get better at it. To give you the chance to practice, we'll do a number of simulated negotiations in and out of class. We'll also use lectures, case studies, exercises, games, videos, and demonstrations to help you develop your understanding. As we advance in the course, our focus will shift from simple one-on-one negotiations to more complex ones involving many parties, agents, coalitions, and organizations.

• W 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Seth Freeman
  Info
• 3 points

Seminar in International Political Econo

Sem. Int'l Political Econ

This course is about the politics of international economic relations. It considers major areas in the politics of international economic policy. It is not a general survey, although the range of issues covered is broad. The emphasis of the course is on contemporary topics, rather than “classics” in IPE or the historical development of the field.

• W 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Jeffry A Frieden
  Info
• 3 points

Global Monetary Policy in the 21st Centu

This SIPA seminar will study, analyze, and assess global monetary policy since 2000 with a primary focus on the challenges faced, policies pursued, and repercussions flowing from the actions taken by Federal Reserve, the ECB, and the Bank of England during the first two decades of the 21st century. These twenty plus years have been marked by the two deepest global downturns since the Great Depression, a Eurozone sovereign debt crisis, a global pandemic, and recently, the largest sustained surge in inflation since the 1970s. Confronting these challenges subject to the constraint of an effective lower bound on interest rates , major central banks introduced a number of unconventional – and controversial – policy tools and expanded substantially their presence in financial markets and in their economies.

The format of the course will combine lectures by the instructor with student presentation on recent central bank policy decisions and will conclude in the final weeks within class seminar presentations by teams of students of term papers that critically assesses the pandemic policy reponse and the post pandemic policy normalization plans pursued by a major central bank.

• R 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Richard H Clarida
  CULPA: 2 Info
• 3 points

Central Bank Crisis Management

Unconventional Monetary Policy

The extraordinary policy responses of global central banks to the 2023 banking turmoil, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2007–2009 financial crisis have sparked debate about the appropriateness and effectiveness of central bank actions. This course will explore the theory and practice of “unconventional” monetary policy tools—those used to address financial crises, widespread deflations, and deep recessions or depressions.

Course examples will be drawn from a wide range of crises, countries, and central banks in both the developed and emerging world over many decades. The bulk of the course will focus on how central banks adapt their policy rules and tools in the face of extraordinary financial or economic turmoil.

Different types of monetary policy tools will be discussed and analyzed, with particular emphasis on the design and effectiveness of various crisis policy tools. Understanding policy effectiveness will require examining how financial and macroeconomic conditions shape central bank policy design, and how financial markets and the macroeconomy respond to these extraordinary measures. The latter half of the course will examine the use of crisis management tools—both successful and unsuccessful—across different jurisdictions.

The course will conclude with discussions of several important and timely dilemmas: Where is the line between crisis monetary policies and traditional fiscal policy actions? Why was the inflationary impact of COVID-19 policy responses so different from previous episodes of instability? How do central banks “undo” their crisis management policies and return to “normal”? What challenges do central banks face in managing the economic side effects and political consequences of extraordinary policies?

• M 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Patricia C Mosser
  Info
• 3 points

Social Impact: Business, Society, and th

Social Impact:Bus,Soc,Env

The Social Impact: Business, Society, and the Natural Environment course explores the relationship between corporations, society, and the natural environment. Specifically, it examines the ways in which governments, (for-profit and non-profit) organizations, and investors (fail to) have positive impact and manage issues where the pursuit of private goals is deemed inconsistent with the public interest.

• W 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Caroline Flammer
  Info
• 3 points

Impact Evaluations in Practice

Pre-req: SIPA U6500 - Quant I.
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.

• FS 1 p.m.-4:15 p.m.
• Instructor: Jyotsna Puri
  Info
• 1.5 points

Monitoring and Evaluation: Driving Evide

This course will go beyond technical or methodological materials (i.e. how to collect and analyze data) and instead focus on how M-E practically applies to day-to-day responsibilities of practitioners, regardless of their position title, and how anyone can (and should) become an effective producer and consumer of data and thus an impactful contributor in the field of international development and humanitarian assistance. For students interested in a career in M-E, this course will help them recognize and address some of the common challenges they will face at work (e.g. how to convince and collaborate with the chief of party to invest in and run effective M-E). For students who are interested in non-M-E career tracks, this course will help them do their jobs better and help the development and humanitarian fields overcome “pilot-itis” and become more evidence-driven. Students should also understand that they are likely to take on different roles throughout their careers, which may involve M-E - this course will prepare them to become versatile and impactful players in this challenging but meaningful line of work.

• W 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Kevin C Hong
  Info
• 3 points

Writing on Policy

“Writing About Policy” gives you the journalistic tools to intervene in public policy debates. You will learn to translate the expertise you’re gaining – as policy professionals and as SIPA students –for the rest of the public, whether in op eds, review essays or blogs. You will also report and write feature stories. This class is a workshop, as well as a seminar, and there will be writing assignments due almost every week. Students will publish their work in SIPAs student publications, as well as in media outlets reaching far beyond the IAB.

• T 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Liza Featherstone
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Policy Solutions for Online Mis/Disinfor

Policy Sol for Online Mis-info

This course is part of a five-school course which operates under different course names at different schools and includes students from NYU, Cornell Tech, and Columbia Journalism School.  The entire five-school group meets most Mondays on Zoom for 90 minutes and then the SIPA cohort will meet with Dr. Schiffrin on Wednesdays at SIPA.

• W 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• 3 points

People Management and Building Organizat

This course is an immersive, intellectually rigorous and interactive exploration of the main issues and trends within managing people and building organizational culture. The course is designed to endow students with the essential skills for effective people management within diverse organizational and cultural environments. Through a blend of theory, simulations, role-play, and case studies, this course delves into the intricacies of attracting, retaining, (re)skilling and sustaining talent in the ever-evolving workplace from the viewpoint of managing performance and building resilient organizational cultures.  Students will engage in hands-on learning experiences reflecting real-life challenges such as designing organizational architectures, fostering inclusive workplaces, designing incentives and reward systems, and navigating complex negotiations for talent retention. The curriculum bridges theoretical frameworks with practical execution, enabling students to develop robust strategies for building and nurturing dynamic cultures that align with organizational goals. Topics include crafting compelling visions and mission statements, developing frameworks for continuous talent development, establishing optimal incentive structures for performance management and implementing conflict resolution mechanisms that foster a collaborative and productive organizational climate. By the course's end, students will be adept at managing and enhancing human capital to drive organizational success and adaptability in a rapidly changing global market.

• W 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Teemu Alexander Puutio
  Info
• 1.5 points

Policies and Practices in Human-Centered

Pol & Practice in Digital Devp

The course takes a theoretical and critical look at the field from the instructor’s many years of experience working in technology and development, from organizations as diverse as Microsoft Research India to UN Women. ICTs have the power to fundamentally transform the lives of billions. Yet technological solutions are often offered as a “silver bullet”, not grounded in broader socio-economic networks. The course will discuss several case-studies in order to ground theory in practice, and will introduce students to several initiatives which have enabled “development” through ICTs, such as India’s Aadhaar, Kenya’s M-Pesa and others. We will also have participation from invited guest speakers. Through a group assignment, students will apply the principles and good practices explored in the course to develop a concrete digital development proposal. Students who are interested in careers in international development with a focus on technology will find this course a useful foundation.

• R 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• 3 points

Digital Content Provenance: Path to Tran

The rapid proliferation of Generative AI is spurring creativity and changing industries but also fueling deception and fraud and fundamentally altering the global informational ecosystem. Global governments, multi-lateral institutions, and technologists around the globe are looking for ways to maintain fidelity in the brave new synthetic world.

This course will delve into one of the most promising approaches to mitigating risks: digital content provenance. An emerging open standard, which emphasizes transparency and authenticity in what we see and hear online, is backed by nearly 2,000 companies and has been embraced by global governments – most notably by the White House’s Executive Order on AI (October 2023). We will examine why the world needs provenance in digital content, how it works (What is a PKI? What is a certificate authority? Why is an open standard necessary?), how it is deployed (what are the technologies available) and how various industries from government, media, Gen AI, and are already using provenance to increase fidelity and trust in what we see and hear online. We will also examine its pathways to being legislated and assess if this will become the law of States, Nations, and even Internationally recognized standard.

We will include guest speakers from government, technology, technology, and private industry to help explain why/how digital content provenance is essential for society and the economy.

Students interested in the nexus of technology, Gen AI, policy development, and global security will be interested in this course. This course will give students a solid understanding of the theories and pillars of digital content provenance and the opportunity to use and test the emerging technologies associated.

• R 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Mounir E Ibrahim
  Info
• 1.5 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.

• T 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Laura S Scherling
  Info
• 3 points

Ethics, AI, and Urban Governance

Ethics, AI, & Urban Gover

Cities are expanding, and many are becoming “smarter.” Big data is being collected through sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT), while artificial intelligence (AI) processes this data. As smart cities evolve, policymakers must understand both the opportunities and risks of AI and be equipped with strategies to manage them effectively.

To responsibly implement AI in public services, it is crucial that these initiatives address urban challenges in a transparent, accountable, and equitable manner. This course explores strategies for achieving this, drawing from human-centered design (HCD), human-centered AI (HCAI), explainable AI (XAI), and deliberative democracy. Throughout the course, students will develop a nuanced understanding of the potential opportunities and risks associated with AI in smart cities. They will be introduced to strategies that mitigate these risks, such as HCD, HCAI, and XAI. Students will apply these approaches to case study research and craft policy recommendations for an urban governance challenge in a city of their choice. By engaging with this work, they will gain experience in mapping current and future user journeys related to urban challenges.

Additionally, students will become familiar with the 'Three Horizons Method,' using it to identify opportunities for disruption and innovation. This method will also help inform wise action in the face of uncertainty. Students will synthesize their findings into personas and journey maps, leveraging these insights to propose innovative solutions that address complex urban governance issues.

• T 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Erika B Whillas
  Info
• 1.5 points

Writing and Delivering Speeches

Writing & Delivering Speeches

Prerequisites: Instructor-Managed Waitlist & Course Application.
This introductory course for second-year SIPA students covers the fundamentals of persuasive speechwriting for politics, business, and advocacy organizations. 

While theory is covered in the first class, emphasis is placed on building practical skills throughout the semester’s remaining six classes. Students will be expected to draft, edit, and deliver their own speeches throughout the semester. Along the way, they’ll develop the research, writing, and editing skills to shape and articulate a compelling message, while collecting techniques to meet deadlines and overcome the dreaded “writer’s block.” 

This course addresses practical topics including: Why do some speeches persuade, while others fall flat? How does a writer effectively capture the voice of the person they’re writing for? How are speeches tailored for specific audiences, venues, and occasions? Are there ethical responsibilities when writing speeches that can confirm, change, or create mass behavior? As AI tools become increasingly sophisticated, how should a speechwriter approach questions of sourcing, fact-checking, and fundamentally human aspects of writing such as humor and creativity?  

By the end of the semester, students will have three full speeches to use as writing samples.

The course is taught by speechwriter, political strategist, and New York Times bestselling author Lauren Peterson. Lauren spent several years working as a speechwriter to Hillary Clinton, including on her 2016 presidential campaign, and helped the former Secretary of State launch and produce her award-winning podcast, You and Me Both. Previously, she worked as a senior advisor and writer at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and as a senior writer on President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. While Lauren is a fierce believer in the ability of speeches to shape public discourse and move listeners to action, she feels just as strongly that digital tools are essential to reaching audiences in the modern era of communications. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Lauren has written about figure skating for The Washington Post, parenthood for Romper, and LGBTQ conception for The Bump. She has appeared on MSNBC and been featured in Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, and Fusion’s “30 Women Who Will Change the 2016 Election.&rdqu

• W 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: James P Holtje
  Info
• 1.5 points

English for International and Public Aff

English for Int'l & Public Aff

The overall goal of this course is to improve the writing skills of international students in the MIA and MPA degree programs. The course requirements will include weekly short exercises (definitions of key terms and abstract concepts, summaries of statistical data, summaries and critiques of seminal concepts and theories, and descriptions of processes and procedures) and longer assignments (an argumentative essay, case study and short research paper). Students will also learn to revise and edit their work as well as to integrate sophisticated rhetorical and syntactic structures. To improve the accuracy and clarity of their writing, the course will review the aspects of grammar that pose particular problems for international students.

• MW 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Brittany Ober
  Info
• 3 points

Online Trust & Safety

What rules and expectations should online platforms such as Google, Facebook/Meta, X, OpenAI Instagram, TikTok, Uber use to govern themselves? How do technology companies work to mitigate socio-technical harms arising from their products? How do geopolitical questions and conflicts  manifest on online platforms—for instance, how should social media platforms handle gruesome images and unverified information emerging from current wars across the globe? One discipline is at the core of these questions:
Trust & Safety,
which is the study of how online services are abused and/or cause societal and individual harms, and the potential responses to mitigate these harms.

• M 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Camille M Francois
  Info
• 3 points

International Finance, Liability Flows a

Int Fin, Liab Flows, Econ

This course focuses on the economic advantages and potential risks of international financial flows, with a particular focus on the economic stability of emerging market economies and non-major developed economies. The objective of this course is to give students the tools to understand the importance of international financial flows for economic development and for economic stability. We will provide different points of view and examine the standpoints of policy makers in both local and major economies and the position of international infrastructure investors. The course will provide a mix of supporting theory, most recent academic findings, and lessons learned from around the world. The course will provide an in-depth discussion of current events, with a special emphasis on the effects of monetary tightening in major economies on the sustainability of external and government debt.

• T 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Sigridur Benediktsdottir
  Info
• 3 points

Topics in Corporate Finance

Prerequisite Course: INAFU6301 - Corporate Finance (or SIPAU6200 - Accounting, plus INAFU6022 - Economics of Finance or INAFU6045 - International Capital Markets).
 This course considers Corporate Finance topics from a strategic and tactical perspective. It builds on the accounting and valuation techniques introduced in INAFU6301 by providing insights into global capital markets, applying forecasting and valuation, and considering ESG and Investor Activism. The course will combine lecture time and in-class case analysis and discussions. The course aims to teach students how corporations and investors forecast cash flow and effectively and responsibly build and allocate capital.

• T 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Michael N Eastwood
  Info
• 3 points

Advanced Economic Development for Intern

This is an advanced course in development economics, designed for SIPA students interested in rigorous, applied training. Coursework includes extensive empirical exercises, requiring programming in Stata. The treatment of theoretical models presumes knowledge of calculus. Topics include: the economics of growth; the relationship between growth and poverty and inequality; rural-urban migration; the interaction between agrarian institutions in land, labor, credit, and insurance markets; prisoner’s dilemmas and the environment; and policy debates around development strategies. Recurrent themes: Are markets efficient, and if not, in what specific ways are they inefficient? What are the forces driving development and underdevelopment? What are the causal links between poverty and inequality and economic performance? What is the role of interventions by states or civil organizations in bringing about development? The course will integrate theoretical ideas and empirical analysis, with an emphasis on questions relevant for economic policy.

• R 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• R 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• M 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• M 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Nicolas de Roux
  Info
• 3 points

Rethinking Human Rights & Humanitarianis

Rethink Hum Rgts/Humantariansm

• M 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Andrew C Heinrich
  Info
• 3 points

Human Rights Skills & Advocacy

This course is designed to develop practical advocacy skills to protect and promote human rights. A focus will be developing an advocacy strategy on a current human rights issue, including the identification of goals and objectives, appropriate advocacy targets and strategies, and the development of an appropriate research methodology. Students will explore broad-based human rights campaigns, use of the media, and advocacy with UN and legislative bodies. Over the course of the semester, students will become familiar with a variety of tools to apply to a human rights issue of their choosing. Case studies will illustrate successful advocacy campaigns on a range of human rights issues.

• F 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• 3 points

Behavioral Development Economics

This course explores the implications of behavioral economics for economic development—how it leads us to rethink what development is about and provides us with new ways to promote it.  By drawing on the rich empirical and experimental literature of recent years, the course investigates a psychologically and sociologically more realistic view of how people make decisions than the rational actor model.  In the readings in this course, decision-makers are cognitively bounded and
/
or have endogenous preferences, shaped by history, experience, and exposure.  Behavioral development economics gives new insights into why it is sometimes so hard to change society, and what brings about change when it does occur.  The range of equilibria and of policy tools is much broader in behavioral development economics than in traditional economics.  Large-scale economic and social change can be caused by conceptual framing effects—the influence of ideas on beliefs and preferences.  The course considers many kinds of interventions that have promoted changes in the frames through which people see themselves and the world.  The interventions include quotas in elected political positions and in education to change stereotypes; mentoring programs that increase prosocial behavior;
edutainment
to promote health; participatory theater to reduce domestic violence; and training to reduce aggressive behavior that has helped males from impoverished neighborhoods avoid school suspensions and recidivism.  Behavioral development economics is a new and exciting field that presents students research opportunities, especially in laboratory and field experiments.  One of the objectives of the course is to expose students to these opportunities.

• W 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Karla Hoff
  Info
• 3 points

Financial Management

The course introduces students to budgeting and financial control as a means of influencing the behavior of organizations. Concepts include the budget process and taxation, intergovernmental revenues, municipal finance, bonds, control of expenditures, purchasing, debt management, productivity enhancement, and nonprofit finance. Students learn about the fiscal problems that managers typically face, and how they seek to address them. Students also gain experience in conducting financial analysis and facility with spreadsheet programs. Case materials utilize earth systems issues and other policy issues. A computer lab section is an essential aspect of the course, as it teaches students to use spreadsheet software to perform practical exercises in budgeting and financial management.

• M 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• W 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Rebecca E Koike
  Info
• 3 points

Public Education: New Strategies for a N

Public Edu: New Strategies/Era

In this course, we will explore distinct challenges and precise remedies inherent in policy setting and implementation for 21st-century public Pre-K-12 and higher education. This course is designed to address the role of race and poverty in every aspect of learning and education policy, particularly in the post-COVID context and within the framework of the 2024 election. These issues will be examined through a solutions-based, case-study approach. Through guest speakers, class discussions, and readings, we will conduct a focused analysis of a specific individual, systemic, or organization-based gap or need. We will also explore the historical development of public education's role in American society and how it has transformed over time.

• R 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Lisa Belzberg
  Info
• 1.5 points

Applied Geopolitics: Risk Analysis

Geopolitics-Risk Analysis

Reg Priority: MIA Students.

As the impact of politics on markets and business has become clearer to investors, so has the dearth of systematic tools for evaluating and managing political risk. This political risk course fills this gap by providing students with a solid, interdisciplinary foundation for identifying and assessing political risks and for managing and mitigating such risks in a range of markets and sectors.

The course introduces students to political risk analysis risks by exploring key concepts and related frameworks for understanding this phenomenon at the international, country, and sectorial levels respectively: G-ZERO, J-Curve, Geo-technology and state capitalism. The course also equips students with key qualitative and quantitative techniques for doing political risk analysis, including the identification of top risks, fat tails, and red herrings, as well as the construction of political risk indices, models, and game-theory simulations. In addition, these concepts and techniques are further applied to analyzing and forecasting current, real-world problems and business concerns, such as market entry or portfolio investment allocation. These concepts and techniques are further practiced in the course practicums, which include interactive activities that invite students to grapple with the challenges of identifying and forecasting the range of outcomes of current, real-world risks as those come up at the time of the course. In the process, the course explores a range of political-risk topics on the macro- and micro-economic impacts of geopolitics—including issues of international and civil war, international trade, unconventional conflict, and a shifting global political order—as well as of politics at the national and sub-national level, including elections and political transitions, social unrest, the social and political drivers of economic and investment policies, and emerging vs developed markets dynamics.

• M 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Ian Bremmer
  Info
• 1.5 points

Microeconomics and Policy Analysis II

Microecon & Policy Analysis II

This two-semester course demonstrates that it is both possible and useful to think about public policy rigorously: to examine underlying assumptions; to understand how formal models operate; to question vagueness and clichés; and to make sophisticated ethical arguments. An important goal of the class is to have students work in groups as they apply microeconomic concepts to current public policy issues having to do with urban environmental and earth systems. The course includes problem sets designed to teach core concepts and their application. In the spring semester, the emphasis is on the application of concepts to analyze contemporary policy problems. Some time is also devoted to international trade and regulation, and industrial organization issues. Students not only learn microeconomic concepts, but also how to explain them to decision-makers. Student groups take on specific earth system policy issues, analyze options through the use of microeconomic concepts, and then make oral presentations to the class.

• R 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Eren Selcuk
  h-index: 4 Info
• 3 points

Urban Politics and Policy

All public policy occurs within a political context. The purpose of this seminar is to examine the politics of America's large cities. While we rely on case material from American cities the theoretical and applied problems 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 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? Are cities really rebounding economically or does a crisis remain in communities beyond the resurgence in many downtown business districts? Do the economic and social factors which impact urban politics and policy delimit the city's capacity to find and implement solutions to their problems? Finally, can urban politics be structured to make cities places where working and middle class people choose to live and work and businesses choose to locate; the ultimate test of their viability in the twenty first century.

• M 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Patricia A Kirkland
  Info
• 3 points

Urban Policy by Design

In this seven-week intensive course student teams will draw on the methodology of human-centered service design to address an urban governance challenge facing New York City. Teams will conduct primary and secondary research to gain understanding of the needs of residents and explore the work of organizations and subject matter experts to identify opportunities for urban service delivery innovation. Students will gain experience in identifying and framing urban governance problems from the perspective of residents, and designing service delivery solutions that map the relationships between people, processes, and physical and digital touchpoints. Classes will consist of lectures, workshops, and team presentations.

• T 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Erika B Whillas
  Info
• 1.5 points

Financial Development in Emerging Econom

Financial Dev in Emerging

This course aims at providing a well-rounded understanding of the financial development process over time and across countries, with emphasis on emerging economies. Relevant topics will be covered from different perspectives, including the supply and demand sides of financial services; the roles of markets, instruments, and institutions; issues on systemic financial stability and access to financial services; links to financial globalization; and the role of the state. The course will entail active student participation. In particular, (a) students will be expected to review the background reading materials in advance and, on that basis, participate actively in the lecture-based classes; and (b) investigate (as part of a group project) a particular topic of their choice, present the results to the class, and write a short paper. In the process, students should improve their critical thinking, research and communication abilities, and learn new material on financial development.

• R 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• F 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• 3 points

Governing the 21st Century City

Governing-21st Century City

This course will examine the linkages between urban governance structures and an economically successful democratic city. We will consider the particular policy challenges that confront both developed and developing cities in the 21st century. It will be important to understand the institutional political causes of urban economic decline, the unique fiscal and legal constraints on city governments as well as the opportunities that only cities offer for democratic participation and sustainable economic growth. The course will draw on case material from primarily American cities and from other developing and developed cities around the globe. It is important to keep in mind that creative policy solutions to the problems of urban economic sustainability may be found in small towns, in rural areas, in private businesses or in other global cities. The utility of importing ideas and programs rests on a practical understanding of politics in that city or community and an effective implementation strategy. Our objective in this course is not simply to understand the challenges to governing the 21st century city but also the policies that promote effective urban governance and economic sustainability.

• T 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Ester Fuchs
  CULPA: 4 Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

States and Citizenship

Much is made in the contemporary policy world of the challenges of “failed states” and of what is often called “nation-building.” But what are these things we call states? How are they related to nations, to other states, to “nonstate actors,” to the “state system,” to sovereignty? And what do policy-makers need to know as they contemplate problems posed by both strong and weak states? What we know as states today are relatively modern inventions—conventionally dated to the European Peace of Westphalia in 1648—and there are many other ways human communities have governed themselves, kept the peace, fostered arts and letters and otherwise provided some measure of culture and prosperity. Yet today, states cover the world’s territory—the “international state system” even determines the rules for exploitation of the high seas and outer space—and the state seems everywhere triumphant. Except where it isn’t. Challenged by globalization of trade and information flows, labor mobility, the spread of germs, arms, ideas around the world, the state is also under siege. This course examines the character, origins, dissemination and prospects of this building block of modern international affairs. It draws many of its empirical referents from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, but students are welcome to bring knowledge and inquiry about other parts of the world to the course. This course is designed to provide an informed and reflective context for the kinds of policy dilemmas that professionals in both international security and international development confront daily.

• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Lisa S Anderson
  Info
• 3 points

Conducting Empirical Research in Economi

Pre-req: any Quant III course. Instructor Managed Registration. Join SSOL Waitlist and apply at 
https://forms.gle/fjM8zkoSx9encCo49
.  
The main outcome of the course will be a complete, novel empirical research paper. During the first half of the course, you will review empirical methods, learn about the structure of a high-quality research paper, and process the data for your project. The focus will be on learning how empirical methods—including not only regression-based causal inference but also data processing and measurement—are used in practice. We will draw on examples of excellent applied economics research papers to highlight best practices. By the middle of the semester, you will be expected to have completed initial analysis of your project. The remaining portion of the semester will be spent revising and improving drafts of the research paper, culminating in a presentation of results and submission of a final, publication-quality research paper.  An emphasis of the class will be on real-world practice of handling, cleaning, and processing data. To this end, students will help build and maintain a database of data sets used for their analyses. Over time, this database will become a resource that future students can draw on for their own analyses.

• R 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Jeffrey G Jr Shrader
  Info
• 3 points

Race, Gender and Political Change

Race, Gender & Political Chang

This course will examine the impact that the current social and racial justice awakening (or reckoning), at the intersection of race and gender, is having on the US politics and policy. We will look at this along several dimensions, including politics, voting rights and voter suppression, governing and philanthropy. Ultimately, political change is the natural consequence of social and economic disruption, but will the change that is to come be of the kind that activists in movements such as the Me Too movement, Black Lives Matter, and gender equity leaders have envisioned? If the US has yet to fulfill the promise of a truly representative government, what solutions might there be to address systemic barriers to power its citizens face on the basis of race and gender? There is an opportunity to influence the broader national conversation with the very best ideas and work to implement them, but this unique moment in history and the opportunity that comes with it will not last forever.  Our goal will be to critically examine and explain these systemic barriers to political power found along racial and gender lines. We will look at the causes and consequences of racial, economic and social inequality, and how that plays out in different systems, policies and spaces. In addition to readings, students will benefit from the practical knowledge of guest lecturers drawn from the political sphere. This course will help prepare policy makers and elected officials in their efforts to create an equitable government for all citizens regardless of race or gender.

• W 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Jeri E Powell
  Info
• 1.5 points

Race Policy & American Politics

The changing definitions of race in America have been shaped by political institutions for centuries. Now, as since the founding of this nation, the U.S. (and societies abroad) are marked by racial inequality. Because of this persistent reality, politics
and
race continue to be intertwined.

This course explores the various ways in which race and politics intersect (and possibly collide). We will observe how racial inequality - and the efforts to overcome it- affect various facets of American local, state, and national politics. Often, New York City will be the launching point for broader discussions and analyses pertaining to relationships between Blacks, whites, Latinos, and Asians. We will also pay particular attention to the causes of contemporary racial mobilization and to its consequences. In particular, we will discuss how NYC is affected by former executives as well as the current governor and president and the remnants of the racialized/racist tone of the Trump presidency and his administration.

We will explore the origins of race as an organizing concept before moving into a discussion of contemporary racial politics and policy. Using themes such as inequality and governance, we will attempt to further discern the institutions which support and perpetuate practices such as disenfranchisement, gentrification, tiered civil rights and liberties, and possibilities for economic and special mobility.

We will take up several topics that have engaged students of politics and scholars of policy for the past few decades and examine their relationship to race. These include but are not limited to education, immigration, transportation, housing, health, elections, social movements, poverty and homelessness, political representation, justice and inequality. We will also dissect these topics in relation to party politics and elections, group consciousness, group conflict and prejudice, political representation, and political unity – and often disunity – among dominant and non- dominant groups. As we do so, we will explore changes as well as continuities in the intersection of race and politics.

Throughout the course we will consider several questions: Does a collective racial identity exist when seeking policy change? Should the notion of race-based policy making cease on a local, national or even international level? What can we learn from coalition politics in New York City and the U.S. more broadly? What does “political change” look like in 21st cen

• M 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Christina M Greer
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSM

Micro,Small,Med Enterprise Dev

The objective of this course is to understand the role of micro- and small- and medium- enterprises (MSMEs) in developing economies and to identify and assess a range of policies and programs to promote their development. By tracing the evolution of development thinking in finance and MSME development, students will be exposed to the intellectual underpinnings of -and practical tools used in- a wide variety of approaches to MSME development. Students will also become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the most common private sector development approaches currently being used by donor organizations and committed private sector actors, including the value chain approach.

• F 1:30 p.m.-4:20 p.m.
• 3 points

Securing Full Economic and Political Cit

Econ & Pol Citizenship-America

This course will explore how members of civil society realize their full economic and political citizenship in America. Students will examine the structural design of American political institutions, federal policy, and the individuals that are charged with the responsibility of ensuring advancement to economic independence as full citizens. What is it about the design of these policies and their implementation that prevents the achievement of economic independence for so many people in protective classes that are represented in the Civil Rights Act and other legislation? What is the relationship between economic independence and the exercise of full political citizenship? During this coursework, students will examine the correlation between economic independence and the full participation around the decisions that are made in their lives. We will look closely at why government-issued social supports have historically eliminated an individual’s decision-making power as a pre-requisite for receiving benefits. We will review specific groups where this most frequently applies. We will identify and examine federal policies and programs that were created to support protected classes of people, governing bodies, and private institutions responsible for implementation. This course will equip students with the skills necessary to analyze current and former policy and develop their own innovative solutions that increases access to economic opportunities which leads to active citizenship.

• W 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Verna Eggleston
  Info
• 1.5 points

Foreign Policy - Thinking Outside the Bo

This course, led by former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, offers a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insights from a seasoned diplomat experienced in navigating the complexities of global politics. Over six weeks, students will explore innovative approaches to foreign policy that challenge conventional paradigms, with a focus on feminist perspectives, conflict resolution strategies, and environmental considerations. Through engaging discussions, case studies, and guest lectures, participants will develop a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted challenges facing today's world. This course is designed to inspire future leaders in international affairs by equipping them with critical thinking skills and practical knowledge necessary to drive change in their careers and beyond.

• 1.5 points

Economic Measurement of Discrimination

Econ Measure of Discrimin

Pre-reqs: Microeconomics and Quant II. 
Discrimination is the differential treatment of people based on identity or perceived identity (race, gender, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ status, age, religion, ability, immigration status, etc.). Such behavior violates certain legal, social, and moral norms and negatively impacts those discriminated against. For these and other reasons, it is important to formally identify discrimination from data. But how can we determine whether A’s treatment of B is due to B’s identity as opposed to some other characteristic of B or A that may not even be captured by a variable? In this class, we will explore economists’ methodologies for addressing this question. We will survey the economic literature on discrimination against various groups across different markets and countries.

• W 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Ebonya L Washington
  Info
• 3 points

Democracy, Movements & Public Policy in

Dem, Movements & Pub Pol in US

This course will explore the relationship between representative and direct democracy, movement strategy and public policy development in the United States. The course will begin by defining movements and their relationship to power and democratic institutions. This course will examine three movements (1) civil rights, (2) Black Lives Matter/policing reform, and (3) disability rights and the relationship between policy development and governance. We will then examine limitations and opportunities for movement and protest strategies overall. The final two classes will focus on the principles of protest and governance and visioning. Student presentation will consider 21st century strategies for mobilizing popular movements and future opportunities for local and national governance change. And the final course will address scenario planning for the near future.

• T 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Keesha Gaskins-Nathan
  Info
• 1.5 points

Quantitative Methods in Program Evaluati

Quant Methods in Program Eval

Prerequisites: SIPA U6501 The goal of this course is to provide students with a basic knowledge of how to perform some more advanced statistical methods useful in answering policy questions using observational or experimental data. It will also allow them to more critically review research published that claims to answer causal policy questions. The primary focus is on the challenge of answering causal questions that take the form Did A cause B? using data that do not conform to a perfectly controlled randomized study. Examples from real policy studies and quantitative program evaluations will be used throughout the course to illustrate key ideas and methods. First, we will explore how best to design a study to answer causal questions given the logistical and ethical constraints that exist. We will consider both experimental and quasi- experimental (observational studies) research designs, and then discuss several approaches to drawing causal inferences from observational studies including propensity score matching, interrupted time series designs, instrumental variables, difference in differences, fixed effects models, and regression discontinuity designs. As this course will focus on quantitative methods, a strong understanding of multivariate regression analysis is a prerequisite for the material covered. Students must have taken two semesters of statistics (SIPA U6500 & U6501 or the equivalent) and have a good working knowledge of STATA

• W 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Alan S Yang
  CULPA: 5 Info
• 3 points

Time Series Analysis

Pre-requisite Course: SIPAU6501 - Quantitative Analysis II. 
This course will cover practical time series forecasting techniques and consists of two parts. The first part focuses on the Box-Jenkins approach (ARIMA), including identification (selection) of the appropriate model, estimation of its parameters, and diagnostic checking of model adequacy. The second part of the course is on nonlinear models for time series, with emphasis on conditional volatility and ARCH models. By the end of the course, you will be able to apply these techniques to actual data, primarily financial and economic time series.

• Instructor: Flavio C Bartmann
  Info
• 3 points

Time Series Analysis

Pre-requisite Course: SIPAU6501 - Quantitative Analysis II. 
This course will cover practical time series forecasting techniques and consists of two parts. The first part focuses on the Box-Jenkins approach (ARIMA), including identification (selection) of the appropriate model, estimation of its parameters, and diagnostic checking of model adequacy. The second part of the course is on nonlinear models for time series, with emphasis on conditional volatility and ARCH models. By the end of the course, you will be able to apply these techniques to actual data, primarily financial and economic time series.

• 0 points

Climate Change Policy and Diplomacy

Climate Change Pol & Dipl

What should the world do about climate change? This is a normative question. Answering it requires an understanding of the science and impacts of climate change, of the technological options for addressing climate change, and of the economics and ethics of pursuing these options. Why does the world say that a lot must be done about climate change, but fail to do what is needed to achieve this goal? This is a positive question. Answering it requires an understanding of politics, international law, international relations, and game theory. Finally, how can the world do better? This is a question of strategy. Answering this question requires all the tools listed above, especially game theory. All three questions lie at the heart of climate policy and diplomacy. By the end of this course, students will not only be able to answer these questions, but to have made a start in designing a more promising approach to limiting future climate change.

• T 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• W 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
• Instructor: Scott Barrett
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Modern Iran: From Monarchy to Islamic Re

Modern Iran:Monarchy-Islam Rep

An introduction to the culture, politics and international relations of Iran which will explore the countrys transition from the 19th to the 21st century. Topics include continuity and change in traditional social structure, the conflict between clergy and state and the modernization of Iran under the Pahlavi shahs (1925-79). The role of women will be explored. The roots of the Iranian revolution will be examined, and an assessment made of the present Islamic Republic. The role of Iran in international affairs, including the course of U.S.-Iranian relations, will also be considered. Sources will be multidisciplinary and include historical works, literature and films.

• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Lawrence G Potter
  CULPA: 2 Info
• 3 points

Foreign Exchange Markets: Theory & Pract

Pre-req: SIPA U6401 - Macroeconomic Analysis.
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the structure and key drivers of the foreign exchange (FX) market – the world’s largest market by turnover. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the unique features of the FX market, the theoretical basis for currency movements, market drivers, and the interaction of foreign exchange and macroeconomic policy. Practical aspects of the market, including how to monitor and interpret global developments and understand trading conventions, will also be covered.

Grades will be determined by class participation, weekly individual reflections and questions on the readings, a memo, and a final group presentation. The final presentation is intended to help students appreciate the challenges faced by FX market professionals in reviewing currency movements, connecting them to broader macroeconomic themes, and identifying potential future drivers.

• R 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• 1.5 points

Emerging Capital Markets: Theory & Pract

Emerging Cap Mkts: Thry & Prac

Priority Reg: IFEP Concentration. Prerequisite Course: SIPAU6401 - Macroeconomic Analysis.
This course aims to expose students to the historical relationships between financial risk, capital structure, and legal and policy issues in emerging markets.

Students will identify investor and borrower behavior patterns, evaluate sovereign capital structures, and analyze sovereign defaults, including the debt negotiation process during the various debt crises of the past four decades. This course will also study the genesis and outcome of several banking and stock market crises in emerging countries.

We will explore the impact of China's growing influence, the global financial crisis, the changing world order on emerging capital markets, and the evolving definition of “emerging market” in the wake of the crisis. Finally, we will analyze how Environmental, social, and governance investment trends impact emerging market countries and investors, as well as the opportunities and risks brought along by recent generative AI breakthroughs. 

While relying on history, economics, and legal analysis, this course will be imbued with a practitioner’s perspective through the instructors’ direct involvement in these events. We will endeavor to bring in speakers who are leaders in their fields and who have had significant roles in the development of the markets. 

We consider a solid grounding in economic and financial history one of the most important and usually neglected backgrounds for individuals who expect to be involved in banking or economic policy-making. Despite our investing backgrounds, this course will not require a high level of macro-economic/finance theory from students, although expertise in these areas will be more than helpful.

• T 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• 3 points

Green Transition in Emerging Markets

Green Transition in Emerg Mkts

The transition to a low-carbon economy is of particular relevance to Emerging markets, which have become the largest emitters of greenhouse gases. Such transition is creating considerable challenges but also opening significant opportunities: by 2030, close to $100 trillion of investments will be needed in order to ensure that global temperatures don’t rise by over 2° above pre-industrial levels, with most to be invested in the infrastructure sector in Emerging markets. The class will explore the challenges faced by emerging markets, and particularly by China, in moving towards more sustainable growth. It will also examine the new institutions and instruments that are being put in place to channel investments towards the greening of emerging market economies. Students will gain a good understanding of the issues faced by EM in the transition to a low-carbon economy. They will acquire a practical knowledge of institutions and instruments which have been developed to finance sustainable growth. They will be able to apply their knowledge to study specific cases and transactions. The transition to green is opening many job opportunities in the private as well as in the private sector. The experience gained in this class should prove invaluable for students seeking to work in related fields.

• T 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Christian Deseglise
  Wikipedia Info
• 1.5 points

Asian Financial Markets

Priority Reg: IFEP Concentration. Pre-req: SIPA U6401.
This course will give an overview of history, function, and future prospects of the financial markets in Asian countries (mainly ASEAN-10, Japan, Korea, China, and India). How financial supervision and regulation should be formed will be examined too. The financial crisis, as well as financial development, will be covered as an instrumental event for reforms. The stages of financial and economic development will be explained and Asian countries will be placed on the development stages. Economic and financial policies will be examined from efficiency point of view.

• T 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Takatoshi Ito
  Wikipedia h-index: 70 Info
• 3 points

Japanese Financial Policy & Economy

Japanese Financial Pol & Econ

Pre-req: Macroeconomics. 
The objective of this course provides students with deep knowledge on developments of financial policy in Japan and interactions between financial markets and economic development. Financial policy extends from regulation and supervision of the banking sector, to capital markets and international capital flows as well as monetary policy and exchange rate policy. Policy lessons are derived from analyses of the past banking problems and crises. An impact of switching from the fixed exchange rate regime to floating exchange rate regime and subsequent attempts to manage the exchange rate movements will be reviewed with event analyses and case studies. Economic growth rate of Japan was high in the 1950s and 1960s and later declined; how financial market developments contributed to economic growth; how quickly its markets were opened to international trade and finance; why the Japanese economy has suffered stagnation and deflation due to a burst of a financial bubble in the 1990s and 2000s; and what kinds of policy reforms, known as Abenomics, have been implemented since 2013. The description and explanation are based on intermediate microeconomic and macroeconomic analyses and empirical evidences. The role of economic policies—monetary policy, fiscal policy, financial supervision and regulation, industrial policy—will be carefully examined.

• W 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Takatoshi Ito
  Wikipedia h-index: 70 Info
• 3 points

Ukraine: Power Politics & Diplomacy

The seminar like course consists of three parts: Historical Background, Thematic and Political Issues and Conclusions. It provides historical perspectives on the development of today’s Ukraine, analyses the evolution of its politics since Independence and its quest for Euroatlantic integration. While providing an assessment of political, social and economic transformations, the course examines major causes of Euromaidan and the Revolution of Dignity The current political situation in the country and an ongoing military conflict are thoroughly investigated. The results of the 2019 Presidential and Parliamentary election and it's impact will also be analyzed in detail. What are the chances by the new Government to reach a "peaceful solution" in the Donbass, eradicate corruption, improve economic situation and implement  reforms ? Is there a future for the Minsk accords? What's the significance of the Normandy Summit? These and other issues, including behind-the scenes activities, power struggle and diplomatic activities, are dealt with in the newly revised course delivered by a career diplomat. The format of the course will encourage active dialogue and analytical reflection on the part of the students. The professor regularly provides additional articles and analytical reviews on current political situation to be discussed at each session. During the course each student is to prepare a mid-term and final papers exploring the prospects of Ukraine becoming a free, prosperous, democratic state and a member of European institutions or staying in the zone of Russian influence and the consequences thereoff.

• W 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• 3 points

Gender, Politics and Development: Theory

Gender, Politics & Development

In this course, we approach gender, politics and development in terms of theory, policy and practice.  We explore multiple constructions of gender in development discourse; the intersection of gender with other social categories and with dominant economic and political trends; and the ways in which gender norms inform the different approaches of governments, development agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector.  We apply a critical gender lens to a wide range of development sectors and issue areas, including economic development, political participation, education and health, environment and climate change, and conflict and displacement.  We also consider current debates and approaches related to gender mainstreaming and gender metrics in development practice.  Students engage with the course material through class discussion, exercises and case studies, and the development of a gender-related project proposal.

• T 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• 3 points

Nuclear Weapons in Practice

Nuclear weapons have not been used on enemy targets since 1945 but they have been used—deployed, detonated, threatened and been threatened—many times in order to affect the behavior of others. What can we learn from past experiences that can help us prepare for or avoid future contingencies? The proposed mini-course would meet five times in person for three hours each time, with readings and videos in preparation for each in person meeting. Enrollment in the course will be by application.

• M 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Stephen Rosen
  Info
• 1.5 points

Nuclear Theory, Politics, & Strategies

Nuclear Thry, Politics, S

Nuclear weapons are often considered to pose humanity’s gravest danger. Yet despite nuclear threats and crises, states have managed to avoid the deliberate or inadvertent use of nuclear weapons since the end of World War II. Seventy-eight years after Hiroshima, how has nuclear war been avoided? Did the advent of nuclear weapons create a revolution in military affairs that stalemated major powers and dramatically reduced the prospects of great power war by the emergence of mutual vulnerability and mutual assured destruction (MAD) postures? Or are nuclear weapons central to great power competition and valuable instruments of force including for deterrence and coercion? Is there a taboo against nuclear use? Do the major theories about the nuclear era match actual practice and how has nuclear theory evolved? Are the strategies and approaches that were employed in the past still appropriate for the new multipolar nuclear age? Why do some states acquire nuclear weapons while others that have considered going nuclear (e.g., South Korea and Germany) so far forego the option, while still others (e.g., South Africa and Ukraine) have given up their nuclear weapons? What are the prospects for continued nuclear proliferation (e.g., Iran)? This class will explore past and current patterns of behavior among existing, potential, and former nuclear weapons states. Other questions that animate this course include: What do nuclear weapons actually deter? Can they be used for coercion? What are the incentives, disincentives and risks of strategies premised on deliberate escalation to nuclear use? Do they increase the probability of inadvertent use of nuclear weapons? What role do nuclear weapons play in U.S. strategy and security policies? How does the U.S. experience compare to those of other nuclear weapon states, such as USSR/Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea? This seminar will examine such questions to gain a better understanding of the impact of nuclear weapons on international relations.

• R 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Cynthia A Roberts
  Wikipedia h-index: 11 Info
• 3 points

Sustainable Investing Research Consultin

Sustainbl Invest Research

Prerequisites: Instructor-Managed Waitlist & Course Application.
The Sustainable Investing Research Consulting Project course aims to foster the next generation of systems-thinkers in sustainable investing. Through engaging in a live sustainable investing research consulting project with a global client, students will gain first-hand experience in the sustainable investing field. The course provides an action-based learning experience to students interested in sustainable investing, covering both sustainable investing in the financial sector (impact investing and sustainable finance) and the real economy (fo profit and non-profit organizations). For example, students will learn about the opportunities, challenges, and limitations faced by sustainable and impact investors to finance a more sustainable world. Moreover, they will learn how (for-profit and non-profit) organizations develop innovative products and services that help mitigate grand challenges―such as climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequality, poverty, etc.―and enable them to grow their business and sustain their competitive advantage over time. Throughout the semester, students will work on a live sustainable investing research consulting project for a client from across the world. They will (e-)meet with the client on a regular basis, discuss their progress, obtain feedback, and present their recommendation to the client. Furthermore, students will conduct research and interviews to learn about the broader business environment and institutional context (including cultural, political, economic, and social factors, etc.) to better understand the opportunities and challenges the clients face. This course is ideal for students interested in pursuing careers in sustainable finance, impact investing, ESG, corporate sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.

• R 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Courtney Sara L Minard
  Info
• 3 points

Struggles for Sustainability

U.S. agricultural practice has been presented as a paradigm for the rest of the world to emulate, yet is a result of over a century of unique development. Contemporary agriculture has its historical roots in the widely varied farming practices, social and political organizations, and attitudes toward the land of generations of farmers and visionaries. We will explore major forces shaping the practice of U.S. agriculture, particularly geographical and social perspectives and the development and adoption of agricultural science and technology. We will consider how technological changes and political developments (government policies, rationing, subsidies) shape visions of and transmission of agriculture and the agrarian ideal.

• M 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Sara Tjossem
  Info
• 3 points

Capstone Workshop for Executive MPA

Capstone Workshop for EMPA

Open to Executive MPA Only.
The EMPA Capstone workshop applies the practical skills and analytical knowledge learned during the EMPA program to a current, real-world issue. Students are organized into small consulting teams (typically 7 students per team) and assigned a policy-oriented project with an external client. Student teams, working under the supervision of a faculty expert, answer a carefully defined problem posed by the client. Each team produces an actionable report and presents an oral briefing of their findings at the close of the workshop that is designed to translate into real change on the ground. Capstone or Portfolio Presentation Workshop is a graduation requirement for the EMPA program and it is typically taken in the final semester at SIPA. Registration in this course is managed by the EMPA Assistant Director and requires an application.

• T 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: William B Eimicke
  Info
• Instructor: Robert Kopech
  Info
• Instructor: Brian Gurski
  Info
• Instructor: Fumiko Sasaki
  Info
• 3 points

Capstone Workshop

Prerequisite: Course Application.
A Capstone Workshop is a live consulting project with an external client outside of SIPA. Each workshop partners a team of about 6 graduate students with a faculty advisor. The goal is to provide clients with innovative analysis and practical recommendations while SIPA students gain experience by working on a real-world problem. A core requirement for the Master of International Affairs (MIA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), the workshops give students an opportunity to put learning into practice. Serving as their culminating educational experience at SIPA, students work in teams of 6-8 students under the guidance of an expert faculty advisor to work on a real-world consultancy project with an external client. For more information, visit: https://www.sipa.columbia.edu/sipa-education/capstone-workshops.

• M 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Thomas Quaranta
  Info
• Instructor: Daniel J Waldman
  Info
• Instructor: Markus H Jaeger
  Info
• Instructor: Daniel Osgood
  h-index: 23 Info
• 3 points