Intersections of Race and Power in Devel

Intrsectn-Race & Power in Devp

While intersectionality is beginning to take hold within the international aid and development industry, addressing race as a construct that has shaped the history, practice and culture of development as a whole is just emerging across much of the sector. This course will be a participatory exploration of concepts and practices of race and power in international development. We will draw on critical race, feminist, intersectionality and decolonial conceptual frameworks and tools, and examine different sites of transformation throughout the course. The ‘arc’ of the course will be from self/individual level, to exploring relevant concepts, learning frameworks for analysis and strategizing, engaging with practice and determining a course of inquiry and action in the context of a development organization or program. Students will be engaged with readings, group discussions, discussions with guest practitioners and group projects. The course will be a participatory exploration, at multiple levels -  individual, interpersonal, organization and society – of how race and racism operate in international development institutions and programs. They will reflect on their own understanding of and experiences of race, power, privilege, and marginalization and reflect on how intersecting identities shape their interactions with others. Students will examine the colonial history of international development, and the ways in which neo-colonial attitudes persist in contemporary development systems, organizations, policies and practices and learn about tools and frameworks to better understand these dynamics and create change strategies to transform them.

• R 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Shawna Wakefield
  Info
• 3 points

Finance for the World's Poorest

Finance for World's Poorest

For the poorest, the lack of a safe convenient place to save and easy and timely access to small loans translates into doing without, selling assets and making decisions that keep families locked into poverty. The focus of this class is helping the poorest begin to move out of poverty by improving how they save, borrow, and manage their money. What you learn in class and through the readings will help you to design and implement large-scale, low cost even self-replicating projects. This in contrast to the sea of ill conceived, top down, expensive, small-scale, low performing development initiatives that are all too common. This class focuses on catalyzing the capacity of local people to take the lead on solving their own problems. We will cover various strategies for assisting the poorest: Microfinance, Mobile money, Savings Groups, Ultra-Poor Graduation Programs, Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and Cash Transfer programs, and Traditional savings circles in developing and developed countries. This course will provide you with the practical tools you need to design and launch effective projects in the field. This course meets for seven four-hour sessions.

• T 6:10 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Instructor: Jefferey Ashe
  Info
• 3 points

The Use of Science-based Evidence in Dec

Sci-based Evid/Dec&Policy

In all societies, public policies are developed to solve social problems such as extreme poverty, inequality, basic sanitation, health and basic care, family planning, food security, mental health, abuse of illegal substances, education, and protection of vulnerable groups. How can we ensure that these public policies are based on solid evidence, which would guarantee the greatest probability of effectiveness? And how do we plan and adapt the implementation of these policies to different realities, respecting cultural and historical differences?

In order to achieve this, it is useful, if not necessary, to be acquainted with scientific thinking and the accumulation and use of evidence. It is also necessary to understand our own limitations and cognitive biases that interfere in the decision-making process. This course aims to provide students with the tools necessary to assess public policies critically and rationally, as well as to evaluate different types of scientific evidence and understand how and where it is appropriate to include scientific evidence in building effective public policy.

• T 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Natalia Pasternak Taschner
  Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

Time Series Analysis

Priority Reg: IFEP Concentration and DAQA Speicalization. Pre-req: Quant 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.

• R 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Martsella Davitaia
  Info
• 3 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

Global Financial Services in the 21st Ce

Global Fin Services-21st Cent

Prerequisite: Instructor-Managed Waitlist.
With an orientation more toward practical application, the intent of this course is to provide a framework with which students can evaluate and understand the global financial services industry of both today and tomorrow. We define global financial services as commercial and investment banks, asset/wealth management institutions, private equity/hedge fund firms, and financial regulators. Via current case studies, proprietary materials, group presentations, class-based student polling exercises, and guest lectures, this class will introduce the student experience of "being in the room" with financial CEOs as they address regulatory developments, governance considerations, technology disruptions, evolving competitive dynamics, geographical differences, and global challenges, threats, and opportunities in a changing banking sector. Furthermore, the course is designed not only for students with a general interest in the financial system, but also for those thinking about a career in the private sector of financial services or the public sector of regulatory oversight, as well as for students who want to be financial “architects” rather than “technicians.”

• R 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Richard Goldberg
  Info
• 3 points

Propaganda, Russia, & The World Informat

Prop, Russia & Info War

Prerequisite: Instructor-Managed Waitlist.
Propaganda, Russia and the World Information War is a highly current guide to propaganda and disinformation, the geopolitical impact of information, and how false, weaponized narratives threaten the world's news and information environment. 

The course teaches how propaganda and disinformation work, the most effective ways to counter them, and the effects of artificial intelligence. The course draws many of its examples from information operations by Russia, but also considers disinformation by state and private actors worldwide. This includes covert information operations by Western governments, including in the current Ukraine war.

The course also discusses information at a more philosophical and sociological level. How do we receive and process information? Can there actually be more than one truth? We also consider how even well-intentioned media, academics, and government officials can unwittingly be sources of misinformation by falling into common analytical traps.

The course is aimed at students building skills in geopolitical analysis, Russian affairs or public persuasion; those who expect to be called on to counteract propaganda and disinformation; and those who will need to produce consistently reliable information and analysis for governments, militaries, news organizations, NGOs or businesses.

• M 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Thomas Kent
  Info
• 3 points

Education in Humanitarian Emergencies

Education-Humanitarian Em

This course will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the growing field of education in emergencies. Upon completing this course, students will have an understanding of:


The concept, rationale, and overarching aims of education in humanitarian emergencies.

The legal and normative frameworks on the right to education and the protection of education in humanitarian emergencies.

The minimum standards and key educational programs implemented by international organizations in areas of armed conflict and natural disasters.

The key coordination and funding mechanisms and actors leading international efforts to provide education in humanitarian emergencies.

The global commitments made by United Nations Member States and the international community on education in humanitarian emergencies

The barriers – including cross-cutting issues such as gender and disabilities – undermining access to education in humanitarian emergencies.

• R 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Laura Perez
  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

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
• 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.

• T 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Isabelle Marie F Delalex
  Info
• 3 points

Internship

Internship 1.5-points

Internships are an integral part of the student experience at SIPA. Students in most of the MPA and MIA degree programs are required to register for and conduct an internship as part of their academic coursework. Still, all students are encouraged to explore internships as part of their education and career development. Students can register for a maximum of three internship credits toward their degree. Students who wish to earn internship credit for non-research internships will register for 
SIPA U9013
 in the fall or spring semesters. Note: SIPA does not permit registration for internship credit during the summer term. Students completing their internship during the summer months and wishing to earn academic credit must register in the Fall or Spring semester.
Section 001: 1.5-points, Section 002: 3-points; Section 003: 0-points

• Instructor: Meg Heenehan
  Info
• 1.5 points

Internship

Internship 3-points

Internships are an integral part of the student experience at SIPA. Students in most of the MPA and MIA degree programs are required to register for and conduct an internship as part of their academic coursework. Still, all students are encouraged to explore internships as part of their education and career development. Students can register for a maximum of three internship credits toward their degree. Students who wish to earn internship credit for non-research internships will register for 
SIPA U9013
 in the fall or spring semesters. Note: SIPA does not permit registration for internship credit during the summer term. Students completing their internship during the summer months and wishing to earn academic credit must register in the Fall or Spring semester.
Section 001: 1.5-points, Section 002: 3-points; Section 003: 0-points

• Instructor: Meg Heenehan
  Info
• 3 points

Internship

Internship 0-points

Internships are an integral part of the student experience at SIPA. Students in most of the MPA and MIA degree programs are required to register for and conduct an internship as part of their academic coursework. Still, all students are encouraged to explore internships as part of their education and career development. Students can register for a maximum of three internship credits toward their degree. Students who wish to earn internship credit for non-research internships will register for 
SIPA U9013
 in the fall or spring semesters. Note: SIPA does not permit registration for internship credit during the summer term. Students completing their internship during the summer months and wishing to earn academic credit must register in the Fall or Spring semester.
Section 001: 1.5-points, Section 002: 3-points; Section 003: 0-points

• Instructor: Meg Heenehan
  Info
• 0 points

MPA-DP: Field Study

Field Study 1.5-points

Students are required to register for a total of 3 points. There are six registration options for "Field Study for MPA-DP" (PUAF U9015), with some restrictions for international students seeking CPT:


3 units in the Spring semester*

1.5 units in the Spring semester and 1.5 units in the Fall semester*

3 units in the Fall semester

3 units in the Spring semester

1.5 units in the Fall semester and 1.5 units in the Spring semester

1.5 units in the Spring semester and 1.5 units in the Spring semester


*For international students on F-1 visas who conduct their summer placement in the United States and secure CPT, the ONLY available options for registration are noted with an asterisk to ensure compliance with CPT policies and regulations. All six registration options for U9015 are available to J-1 students using AT.

• Instructor: Glenn Denning
  h-index: 14 Info
• 1.5 points

MPA-DP: Field Study

Field Study 3-points

Students are required to register for a total of 3 points. There are six registration options for "Field Study for MPA-DP" (PUAF U9015), with some restrictions for international students seeking CPT:


3 units in the Spring semester*

1.5 units in the Spring semester and 1.5 units in the Fall semester*

3 units in the Fall semester

3 units in the Spring semester

1.5 units in the Fall semester and 1.5 units in the Spring semester

1.5 units in the Spring semester and 1.5 units in the Spring semester


*For international students on F-1 visas who conduct their summer placement in the United States and secure CPT, the ONLY available options for registration are noted with an asterisk to ensure compliance with CPT policies and regulations. All six registration options for U9015 are available to J-1 students using AT.

• Instructor: Glenn Denning
  h-index: 14 Info
• 3 points

Research Internship

• Instructor: Eva Weissman
  Info
• 1.5 points

Sustainable Development Seminar I

Sustainable Development Sem I

This course is restricted to PhD in Sustainable Development

• M 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• F 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Instructor: Douglas V Almond
  Info
• 1.5 points

Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Manage

Wks in Appl Earth Syst Mgmt II

Open to MPA-ESP Only.
In the summer and autumn semesters, the Workshop emphasizes management issues. Students enroll in small, faculty-advised project teams and design a detailed operational plan for addressing an important public policy problem. Each Workshop faculty member selects a piece of proposed but not yet enacted state, federal, or local environmental law (or a U.N. resolution) and students are asked to develop a plan for implementing and managing the new program. In the summer semester, the Workshop groups write reports explaining the environmental science aspects of a management problem to political decision-makers who are not scientists. During the autumn semester the Workshop completes the operational plan for implementing the program. Both the summer and autumn Workshop projects will be on issues central to the two earth systems problem themes that the cohort will focus on throughout their course of study.

• W 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Steven Cohen
  CULPA: 1 Wikipedia h-index: 21 Info
• Instructor: Matthew I Palmer
  CULPA: 5 h-index: 14 Info
• Instructor: Lloyd R Kass
  Info
• Instructor: Louise A Rosen
  Info
• Instructor: Ryshelle M McCadney
  Info
• 3 points

Portfolio Presentation Workshop

Portfolio Presentation Workshp

Open to Executive MPA Only.
This is a course during which the mid-career executives who are enrolled as students in the Executive MPA program exhibit and share professional work they have managed or directly created during their first year in the program. Materials are presented to the faculty and students for criticism, analysis, and potential improvement.

• S 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Richard Greenwald
  Info
• 3 points