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

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.
• 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.

• 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.
• T 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Nicolas de Roux
  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.
• Instructor: Jo Becker
  Wikipedia Info
• 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

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.
• R 4:10 p.m.-6 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

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

State Form, Deform & Citi

Priority Reg: EPD Concentration.
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.
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

• W 9 a.m.-10:50 a.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.
• Instructor: Bryanna Millis
  Info
• 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.

• Instructor: Verna Eggleston
  Info
• 1.5 points

Economic Measurement of Discrimination

Econ Measure of Discrimin

• 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

Contemporary Russian Security Policy

Contemp Russian Security

Moscow's annexation of Crimea in March 2014, the 2015 military intervention in Syria, and the cyber/information operations against US and European elections demonstrate that Russia remains a major world actor. Russia retains the world’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, sits atop large reserves of oil and natural gas, and enjoys veto power in the UN Security Council—ensuring Moscow a voice on most international issues. This course revolves around two key questions: (1) What are Moscow’s foreign and security policy goals? and (2) What tools are used to advance Russian goals? To address these questions, the syllabus is divided into three sections: 1. Russia’s “immutables”—those realities that largely shape Russia’s security perspective: geography, demography, economics, history and political culture. 2. Russia’s foreign/security policy process and its “toolkit”: diplomacy, economic and trade relationships, military and intelligence capabilities, including cyber intrusions and information warfare. 3. Review of Moscow's policies toward Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US; Russian views of arms control; and case studies that examine the use of military force and/or cyber/information operations in Afghanistan (1979), Georgia (2008), Ukraine (2014), Syria (2015) and the US presidential election (2016).

• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Peter Clement
  Info
• 3 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

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

This course is designed to give students an understanding of the structure of the foreign exchange market – the world’s largest market by turnover – the theoretical basis for currency movements, market drivers and the interaction of foreign exchange and macro policy. At the end of the course, students will be familiar with the trading conventions and uses of the primary transaction vehicles – spot, forwards and options - a basic understanding of modeling and forecasting exchange rates, how currency affect and can also be used as an investment vehicle, pitfalls of currency exposure and the nature of currency crises. Case studies will focus on current exchange rate issues including regime changes, digital and crypto use. Course projects will be designed to give students some perception of the challenges faced by foreign exchange market professionals and topics of particular interest at the academic and professional level.

• 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

Priority Reg: IFEP Concentration. Pre-req: SIPA U6401. 
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 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
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• Instructor: Robert Kopech
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• Instructor: Brian Gurski
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• Instructor: Fumiko Sasaki
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• 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
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• Instructor: Daniel J Waldman
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• Instructor: Markus H Jaeger
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• Instructor: Daniel Osgood
  h-index: 23 Info
• Instructor: Merit E Janow
  Wikipedia 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.

• F 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• T 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• T 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• W 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• T 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• T 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• W 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• R 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• R 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• F 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• R 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• F 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• F 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• R 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• M 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• 3 points