Leadership in Action
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management I Core.
Leadership in Action
integrates strategic leadership frameworks, real-world case studies, and an immersive multi-week simulation to build students’ capacity to lead in complex, high-stakes environments. Through a sequence of applied exercises, ranging from team formation and innovation design to crisis response, students will develop critical skills in decision-making, influence, and organizational change. The course emphasizes adaptive leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and ethical judgment, equipping students to lead effectively under conditions of uncertainty and pressure.
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Instructor:
Gary Bagley
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Instructor:
William B Eimicke
Info - 1.5 points
Leadership in Action
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management I Core.
Leadership in Action
integrates strategic leadership frameworks, real-world case studies, and an immersive multi-week simulation to build students’ capacity to lead in complex, high-stakes environments. Through a sequence of applied exercises, ranging from team formation and innovation design to crisis response, students will develop critical skills in decision-making, influence, and organizational change. The course emphasizes adaptive leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and ethical judgment, equipping students to lead effectively under conditions of uncertainty and pressure.
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Instructor:
William B Eimicke
Info -
Instructor:
Teemu Alexander Puutio
Info - 1.5 points
Leadership in Action
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management I Core.
Leadership in Action
integrates strategic leadership frameworks, real-world case studies, and an immersive multi-week simulation to build students’ capacity to lead in complex, high-stakes environments. Through a sequence of applied exercises, ranging from team formation and innovation design to crisis response, students will develop critical skills in decision-making, influence, and organizational change. The course emphasizes adaptive leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and ethical judgment, equipping students to lead effectively under conditions of uncertainty and pressure.
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Instructor:
Teemu Alexander Puutio
Info -
Instructor:
Kirsti Samuels
Info - 1.5 points
People Management and Building Organizat
People Management & Org C
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
This course explores key themes in people management and organizational culture, equipping students with skills to lead diverse teams and build resilient, high-performing workplaces. Through case studies, simulations, and applied exercises, students will examine talent strategy, performance management, inclusive leadership, and organizational design. The course emphasizes practical tools for navigating complex challenges such as incentive structures, conflict resolution, and talent retention in dynamic global environments.
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Instructor:
Teemu Alexander Puutio
Info - 1.5 points
Effective Management in the Public Servi
Management in Public Serv
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
This course introduces students to the field of public management, focusing on the tools and strategies managers use to influence organizational behavior and deliver public services. Through lectures, case studies, discussions, and group projects, students will explore management practices in government and in nonprofit and private organizations that partner with the public sector. The course draws on examples from New York City and U.S. agencies, as well as comparative cases from Asia, Latin America, and Europe. A lab section deepens engagement with course materials and features guest speakers from across sectors.
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Instructor:
William B Eimicke
Info - 1.5 points
Crisis Leadership and Adaptive Managemen
Crisis Leadership & Mgmt
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
This course equips students with the skills, strategies, and resilience necessary to lead effectively during extreme events and complex crises. Drawing on case studies, personal narratives, and interactive exercises, the course examines how crises —ranging from natural disasters and terrorist attacks to cyber incidents and pandemics —require adaptive management and decisive leadership under intense pressure. Students will examine the multiple forces that shape crisis response, including social, cognitive, operational, and political dynamics. The course provides a framework for assessing risk, coordinating cross-sector efforts, developing crisis communication strategies, and fostering innovation in fast-evolving situations.
- 1.5 points
Crisis Communications
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
This course blends crisis communication theory, case studies, and immersive simulations to prepare students for high-stakes communications challenges in the public and nonprofit sectors. Students will develop strategic judgment and tactical skills necessary to lead during crises while practicing rapid-response communication under pressure.
Topics include defining and diagnosing crises, designing messaging strategies, working with the media, coordinating across agencies, and maintaining public trust. The course also explores the role of tone and humor, legal considerations, and the dynamics of internal and external communication during emergencies.
Students will engage in hands-on simulations replicating real-world crises, such as natural disasters, viral incidents, and organizational failures. Through weekly assignments and scenario-based exercises, students will gain experience developing crisis memos, talking points, and live-response strategies.
- 1.5 points
Persuasion and Applied Negotiation Skill
Persuasion & Negotiation
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
This course is an interactive, practice-focused experience designed to equip students with skills and confidence in negotiation and persuasion across public and private sector contexts. Drawing on negotiation psychology, best practices, and evidence-based approaches, the course will develop students’ ability to navigate complex interpersonal and multilateral dynamics.
Through simulations, roleplays, and real-world case studies, students will learn to apply integrative and distributive negotiation methods, build strong positions and alternatives, and manage collective bargaining, mediation, arbitration, and asymmetric power dynamics.
Course topics include negotiation theory, stakeholder analysis, multilateral and cross-cultural negotiation, and solution-driven communication. Students will develop the ability to assess power dynamics, leverage personal strengths, and contribute effectively in multi-stakeholder settings.
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Instructor:
Teemu Alexander Puutio
Info - 1.5 points
Managing Communications
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
This course trains students to become effective spokespersons and communications directors in any sector—government, nonprofit, or private enterprise. The class focuses on developing practical skills and insight into the extensive role of communications in achieving organizational goals.
Students will assume the role of a communications executive for a real organization of their choice for the duration of the course. Assignments will be framed from this perspective, including developing a public relations strategy, drafting executive communications, preparing weekly media reports, and planning crisis responses.
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Instructor:
Hagar Hajjar Chemali
Wikipedia Info - 1.5 points
Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organi
Strategic Mgmt-Nonprofit
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
This course explores how core functional areas, such as governance, finance, talent strategy, communications, and accountability, interconnect to support a nonprofit organization’s mission and strategic goals. Students will examine key management practices in nonprofit settings, emphasizing mission alignment, ethical fundraising, board effectiveness, and impact measurement. Through applied learning, the course equips students with the skills to assess organizational performance, design inclusive cultures, and develop strategic approaches to growth and sustainability.
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Instructor:
Gary Bagley
Info - 1.5 points
Decisions and Behavior
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
This course introduces students to the field of behavioral economics and the study of individual decision-making. Students will examine how behavior often departs from standard rational models and consider the implications for public policy and management. The course begins with the economic concept of rationality, then proceeds to evidence on systematic deviations, including impatience, framing, reference dependence, and social preferences. Class meetings will incorporate in-class experiments, discussions, and analyses of empirical research. The course concludes with applications to policy design and organizational practices. Students will prepare presentations, participate in recitations, and either develop a policy proposal or complete a final exam to demonstrate their understanding of behavioral approaches to decision-making.
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Instructor:
Michael Ting
CULPA: 4 Info - 1.5 points
Sustainability Management
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
Sustainability management matters because we only have one planet, and we must learn how to manage our organizations in a way that ensures that our planet is maintained. The course is designed to introduce you to the field of sustainability management. This is not an academic course that reviews the literature of the field and discusses how scholars think about the management of organizations that are environmentally sound. It is a practical, professional course organized around the core concepts of management and the core concepts of sustainability. The course will have a specific emphasis on urban sustainability as the planet’s urban population continues to expand.
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Instructor:
Steven Cohen
CULPA: 1 Wikipedia h-index: 21 Info - 1.5 points
Sustainability Management
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
Sustainability management matters because we only have one planet, and we must learn how to manage our organizations in a way that ensures that our planet is maintained. The course is designed to introduce you to the field of sustainability management. This is not an academic course that reviews the literature of the field and discusses how scholars think about the management of organizations that are environmentally sound. It is a practical, professional course organized around the core concepts of management and the core concepts of sustainability. The course will have a specific emphasis on urban sustainability as the planet’s urban population continues to expand.
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Instructor:
Steven Cohen
CULPA: 1 Wikipedia h-index: 21 Info - 1.5 points
Managing Yourself as a Leader: Skills an
MIA & MPA Leadership and Management II Core.
This experiential course focuses on the self-management and interpersonal skills essential for effective leadership in high-pressure, high-stakes situations. Through role-plays, structured exercises, video analysis, and Leadership Labs, students will develop greater self-awareness, communication agility, and emotional resilience. Emphasizing the analysis of leadership failure as a learning tool, the course uses individual student cases to explore how personal patterns and behaviors impact leadership effectiveness. Active participation and small group work are central to this hands-on, practice-based learning environment.
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Instructor:
Kirsti Samuels
Info - 1.5 points
Contending Theories of International Rel
Theories of Int'l Relatio
MIA Politics I Core.
This course introduces MIA students to foundational theories and analytical frameworks used to understand international affairs and the global political economy. Drawing on literature from international relations, comparative politics, political sociology, and economics, the course examines the evolution of international relations scholarship and key debates shaping the field. Through weekly discussions, case-based readings, and structured debates, students will critically engage with competing perspectives on power, institutions, regimes, markets, and global order. Special attention is given to American scholarly traditions and real-world applications, including contemporary issues such as war, climate change, and global inequality.
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Instructor:
Lincoln A Mitchell
Info - 1.5 points
Theory and Practice of American Politics
MPA Politics I Core.
This course provides an introduction to American political institutions and their role in shaping public policy. Students will examine how policy decisions, and inaction, affect critical aspects of daily life, including health care, education, public safety, and environmental protection. The course explores the structure and function of U.S. political institutions such as Congress, the presidency, courts, and federalism, and how these compare to other democracies. It also analyzes the influence of actors including interest groups, social movements, the media, and bureaucrats. Through case studies, group work, and applied analysis, students will gain a foundational understanding of the policymaking process, key trends in American politics, and the skills needed to engage with public policy in practice.
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Instructor:
Lincoln A Mitchell
Info - 1.5 points
Theory and Practice of American Politics
MPA Politics I Core.
This course provides an introduction to American political institutions and their role in shaping public policy. Students will examine how policy decisions, and inaction, affect critical aspects of daily life, including health care, education, public safety, and environmental protection. The course explores the structure and function of U.S. political institutions such as Congress, the presidency, courts, and federalism, and how these compare to other democracies. It also analyzes the influence of actors including interest groups, social movements, the media, and bureaucrats. Through case studies, group work, and applied analysis, students will gain a foundational understanding of the policymaking process, key trends in American politics, and the skills needed to engage with public policy in practice.
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Instructor:
Lincoln A Mitchell
Info - 1.5 points
Energy, Corporate Responsibility, and Hu
Energy, Corp Resp, & Righ
This interdisciplinary seminar examines the role of multinational energy companies in the context of international human rights, corporate responsibility, and global governance. Drawing on case studies and legal frameworks, the course explores how extractive industries intersect with political, environmental, and social systems, particularly in transitional and emerging economies.
Key themes include the development of international human rights law, the evolving definition of corporate responsibility, environmental and minority rights, corruption and transparency, and the geopolitics of natural resource extraction. Students will investigate how transnational corporations operate in weak governance zones, how investment treaties shape state-corporate relations, and how disputes over pipelines and land use affect communities and nations alike.
The course emphasizes real-world case analysis, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, Canadian mining projects in Latin America, and recent developments in sovereign debt, investor-state arbitration, and standards for corporate conduct. Students will also evaluate the effectiveness of voluntary standards, multilateral codes, and legal instruments in shaping corporate behavior.
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Instructor:
Jenik Radon
Info - 3 points
Global Politics and International Organi
Global Politics & Int'l O
MIA and MPA Politics II Core.
Global Politics & International Organizations
introduces the actors, coalitions, institutions, and processes of global politics. It creates the conceptual foundations for understanding the role of international organizations in today’s multipolar and complex (or, ‘multiplex’) world. It sheds light on how states, non-state actors, and international bureaucracies act within international organizations and how they negotiate international agreements. The discussions will focus on formal and informal decision-making processes, working methods, and power in international relations. It will highlight processes within Bretton Woods institutions (the World Bank and the IMF), as well as at the United Nations, including bargaining processes at the UN Security Council. As a spillover from global politics, the course will also explore the role of international organizations in domestic policymaking processes.
In addition to critical scholarship on international organizations and global governance, the course relies on students’ analysis of relevant proceedings and debates at the UN, original policy documents, as well as expert testimony from a range of guest speakers, who share their extensive first-hand observations as actors of global governance processes. By these means,
Global Politics & International Organizations
offers insights into the processes, challenges, and impacts of activities by international organizations to make global governance regimes stronger, more effective, and hold actors more accountable.
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Instructor:
Daniel Naujoks
Info - 1.5 points
American Foreign Policy in Global Perspe
American Foreign Policy-G
MIA and MPA Politics II Core.
This course examines the evolution of American foreign policy within the context of U.S. political institutions, domestic dynamics, and historical experiences. It emphasizes the interplay between foreign and domestic policy, considering how American identity, political culture, and internal debates have shaped international engagement. While grounded in key moments in U.S. history, the course also addresses recent shifts in America's global role and examines the strategic, ideological, and institutional forces that continue to influence foreign policy decisions.
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Instructor:
Lincoln A Mitchell
Info - 1.5 points
Political Parties and Elections in the U
Political Parties & Elect
MIA and MPA Politics II Core.
This course examines the development and dynamics of political parties in the United States, with a focus on the evolution of the two-party system and its influence on American politics and policymaking. Students will explore the historical foundations of party formation, ideological shifts over time, and the distinct roles parties play at national and subnational levels. The course also analyzes the structure and impact of party primaries, as well as recent technological and communication changes that have transformed modern electoral strategy and campaign practices.
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Instructor:
Lincoln A Mitchell
Info - 1.5 points
Politics of Policymaking: A Comparative
Comparative Policymaking
MIA and MPA Politics II Core.
This course examines the unique challenges and opportunities of the Global South, integrating theoretical frameworks, historical analysis, and contemporary case studies to develop a thorough understanding of how the region confronts and navigates some of the most significant issues shaping its politics and policies. By analyzing diverse political and policy dynamics in the Global South, it encourages students to think globally and recognize interconnectedness across political systems. Over seven weeks, we examine various challenges posed by institutional legacies of colonialism, the rise of populism, democratic backsliding, corruption, and political violence, while also highlighting innovative responses emerging from the Global South through contemporary case studies.
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Instructor:
Rumela Sen
CULPA: 1 Info - 1.5 points
Public Policy in the Age of Uncertainty
Public Policy in Uncertai
MIA and MPA Politics Core II.
This course explores how sudden disruptions—such as elections, economic shocks, natural disasters, and conflict—can challenge or derail long-term policy efforts. Using analytical tools from game theory, economics, management, and law, students will assess how policy responses are developed under pressure and how to design adaptive programs capable of withstanding unexpected change. The course combines discussion, interactive exercises, and real-world case studies to build the strategic, ethical, and communication skills needed to lead through uncertainty. Guest speakers with firsthand experience in policymaking during crises will offer practical insights into decision-making when the stakes are high. Students will learn to anticipate and manage change, balance competing demands, and identify opportunities to advance policy goals even amid disruption.
- 1.5 points
Financial Accounting & Analysis
MPA Financial Management Core I and II.
This course introduces the principles and practices of financial reporting, with the goal of enabling students to become informed users of financial information in both public and private sector contexts. Emphasis is placed on understanding the three primary financial statements: the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows; and the accounting concepts and rules that shape them. Students will examine how financial information is prepared, disclosed, and interpreted, and will develop analytical tools to assess an organization’s financial health and operational effectiveness. Real-world financial statements will be used throughout the course to build fluency in the language and application of accounting.
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Instructor:
Norman Bartczak
CULPA: 1 Info - 3 points
Financial Accounting & Analysis
MPA Financial Management Core I and II.
This course introduces the principles and practices of financial reporting, with the goal of enabling students to become informed users of financial information in both public and private sector contexts. Emphasis is placed on understanding the three primary financial statements: the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows; and the accounting concepts and rules that shape them. Students will examine how financial information is prepared, disclosed, and interpreted, and will develop analytical tools to assess an organization’s financial health and operational effectiveness. Real-world financial statements will be used throughout the course to build fluency in the language and application of accounting.
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Instructor:
Norman Bartczak
CULPA: 1 Info - 3 points
Foundations of Budgeting
MPA Financial Management I Core.
This course provides a practical introduction to budgeting as a critical tool for planning, decision-making, and leadership across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Students will develop hands-on skills in budget creation, financial analysis, and cash flow management while exploring how budgets shape organizational strategy and operations.
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Instructor:
Sarah M Holloway
CULPA: 1 Info -
Instructor:
John Liu
Info - 1.5 points
Foundations of Budgeting
MPA Financial Management I Core.
This course provides a practical introduction to budgeting as a critical tool for planning, decision-making, and leadership across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Students will develop hands-on skills in budget creation, financial analysis, and cash flow management while exploring how budgets shape organizational strategy and operations.
- 1.5 points
Budgeting & Financial Management for Gov
Gov't Budgeting & Finance
MPA Financial Management Core II.
This course introduces students to budgeting and financial management in the public sector, with an emphasis on real-world application and analytical skill development. Drawing on current and historical challenges—including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic—students will explore the political, technical, and managerial dimensions of public budgeting in the United States.
Topics include the structure and function of operating and capital budgets, principles of revenue generation, deficit spending, and debt financing. Students will work with actual federal, state, and local budgets, gaining experience in constructing, analyzing, and presenting budgets in a government context. By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate budget proposals and make data-informed recommendations grounded in public policy goals and financial feasibility.
Financial Management for Nonprofits & So
Fin Mgmt for Nonprofits &
MPA Financial Management II Core.
This course introduces nonprofit and social enterprise finance, financial management, and budgeting. The course is practical and hands-on. The course will examine how financial management principles assist nonprofit and social enterprise leaders make operating, program, and long-term financial and strategic decisions. Students will learn underlying concepts and practical skills through readings, discussions, Case Studies, and assignments. The course is designed to give students a range of core financial and managerial skills that are especially relevant to students who want to go on to establish, manage, or work in nonprofit organizations or social enterprises.
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Instructor:
Sarah M Holloway
CULPA: 1 Info - 1.5 points
Accounting Fundamentals
Financial Accounting
MPA Financial Management Core II.
This course provides students with a foundational understanding of financial accounting, with an emphasis on interpreting financial statements. Students will study the three core financial statements—the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows—and learn the accounting principles and rules that shape how financial data is recorded and presented.
Through hands-on exercises and case examples from service, manufacturing, and retail operations, students will learn to apply double-entry bookkeeping, distinguish between key accounting treatments such as capitalizing and expensing, and evaluate how management’s assumptions and estimates influence reported outcomes. The course aims to build financial fluency for policy professionals and prepare students to critically assess financial information to support evidence-based decision-making.
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Instructor:
Norman Bartczak
CULPA: 1 Info - 1.5 points
European Union Human Rights: Law & Polic
EU Human Rights: Law & Po
This intensive seminar explores the European Union’s internal and external commitments to human rights. Students examine the legal foundations in EU treaties, the role of EU institutions, and the implementation of rights-based policies in areas such as migration, non-discrimination, trade, and development. The course also investigates the EU’s multilateral human rights engagement with the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, and other regional bodies. Through readings, discussion, and a final essay, students critically assess the EU’s effectiveness as a global human rights actor.
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Instructor:
Jan Wouters
Info - 1.5 points
Diplomacy in Practice: the EU & the Worl
Diplomacy in Practice:EU/
This course introduces students to the practice of modern diplomacy through case studies of global and regional crises and the European Union’s responses to them. Students will examine how foreign policy is developed and implemented from the perspective of a professional diplomat.
The course begins with an overview of the history of EU foreign policy, followed by an introduction to the key institutions and instruments involved in external relations. Subsequent sessions will focus on case studies that illustrate the EU’s approach to various international partners: allies (including the transatlantic partnership and the UN system), neighboring regions (such as the Southern Neighborhood policy, the Eastern Partnership, and the European Political Community), and other global powers (including Russia, China, India, and Turkey). Additional topics include the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East (Libya, Syria, and the Middle East peace process), the Iran nuclear agreement, and the migration crisis.
Each case will explore the interplay among the EU’s foreign policy tools, including crisis management, defense and security, trade, financial aid, humanitarian assistance, and public diplomacy. The course concludes with a reflection on lessons learned and potential future directions for the EU’s foreign policy agenda and institutional framework.
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Instructor:
Pierre Vimont
Info - 3 points
Politics in the European Union
This course provides an advanced introduction to the politics of the European Union and its member states. It explores the EU as a distinctive political entity shaped by both supranational and domestic political dynamics. Topics include theories of integration, the institutional architecture of the EU, debates about its democratic legitimacy, and the development of its socio-economic and foreign policy agendas. The second half of the course shifts focus to the internal politics of key member states, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and selected Central and Eastern European countries, examining how national dynamics intersect with broader European challenges. The course pays particular attention to sovereignty, immigration, and democratic backsliding as thematic entry points for comparative analysis.
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Instructor:
Carlo E Invernizzi Accetti
Info - 3 points
Economic Fundamentals for International
MIA Economics Core.
This course provides a thorough introduction to the principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics, equipping students with the analytical tools to understand how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions and how they interact in local and global markets. By combining theory with applied learning, the course builds a foundation for critical thinking about real-world economic challenges and policy-making in an increasingly interconnected world.
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Instructor:
Martsella Davitaia
Info - 3 points
Economic Fundamentals for International
MIA Economics Core.
This course provides a thorough introduction to the principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics, equipping students with the analytical tools to understand how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions and how they interact in local and global markets. By combining theory with applied learning, the course builds a foundation for critical thinking about real-world economic challenges and policy-making in an increasingly interconnected world.
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Instructor:
Martsella Davitaia
Info - 3 points
Economic Fundamentals for International
MIA Economics Core.
This course provides a thorough introduction to the principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics, equipping students with the analytical tools to understand how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions and how they interact in local and global markets. By combining theory with applied learning, the course builds a foundation for critical thinking about real-world economic challenges and policy-making in an increasingly interconnected world.
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Instructor:
Martsella Davitaia
Info - 3 points
Microeconomic Analysis for International
MPA and MIA-Track II Economics Core.
This course introduces the fundamental tools of microeconomic analysis used to understand individual decision-making, market behavior, and policy outcomes. It equips students with the analytical frameworks and terminology of the economics profession, fostering both critical and open-minded engagement with economic issues. Emphasis is placed on the motivations and consequences of microeconomic policies in international and public affairs contexts. Through problem-solving and collaborative work, students will build practical skills in applying economic models to real-world challenges.
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Instructor:
Emanuele Gerratana
CULPA: 1 Info - 3 points
Macroeconomic Analysis for International
MPA and MIA-Track II Economics Core.
This course continues the one-year sequence initiated with SIPA IA6400 and focuses on macroeconomics. The goal of this course is to provide students with the analytical framework to examine and interpret observed economic events in the global economy. The causal relationships between macroeconomic aggregates is based upon microeconomic principles. The subject matter always refers to concrete situations with a particular focus on the causes and effects of the current global financial crisis. The controversial nature of macroeconomic policies is central.
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Instructor:
Fernando Cirelli
Info - 3 points
Macroeconomic Analysis for International
MPA and MIA-Track II Economics Core.
This course continues the one-year sequence initiated with SIPA IA6400 and focuses on macroeconomics. The goal of this course is to provide students with the analytical framework to examine and interpret observed economic events in the global economy. The causal relationships between macroeconomic aggregates is based upon microeconomic principles. The subject matter always refers to concrete situations with a particular focus on the causes and effects of the current global financial crisis. The controversial nature of macroeconomic policies is central.
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Instructor:
Fernando Cirelli
Info -
Instructor:
Sigridur Benediktsdottir
Info - 3 points
Macroeconomic Analysis for International
MPA and MIA-Track II Economics Core.
This course continues the one-year sequence initiated with SIPA IA6400 and focuses on macroeconomics. The goal of this course is to provide students with the analytical framework to examine and interpret observed economic events in the global economy. The causal relationships between macroeconomic aggregates is based upon microeconomic principles. The subject matter always refers to concrete situations with a particular focus on the causes and effects of the current global financial crisis. The controversial nature of macroeconomic policies is central.
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Instructor:
Sigridur Benediktsdottir
Info -
Instructor:
Andrea Bubula
Info - 3 points
Macroeconomic Analysis for International
MPA and MIA-Track II Economics Core.
This course continues the one-year sequence initiated with SIPA IA6400 and focuses on macroeconomics. The goal of this course is to provide students with the analytical framework to examine and interpret observed economic events in the global economy. The causal relationships between macroeconomic aggregates is based upon microeconomic principles. The subject matter always refers to concrete situations with a particular focus on the causes and effects of the current global financial crisis. The controversial nature of macroeconomic policies is central.
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Instructor:
Andrea Bubula
Info - 3 points
Social Movements & Citizenship in Africa
Social Movemt & Citizen-A
This course focuses on social movements and citizenship in sub-Saharan Africa to examine how people form political and social movements and deploy citizenship strategies within social, historical, and economic structures that are both local and global. It draws on readings and lectures from scholars in history, political science, anthropology, sociology, and African studies to explore the following topics and themes: histories and theories of social movements and citizenship; cities and social movements and citizenship; citizenship outside the nation-state; social movements and democracy; citizenship as a creative enterprise that emphasizes claim-making and improvisation; citizenship within imperial, international, and national contexts; infrastructures, claim-making, and coalition building; opposition, leadership and democracy; and social movements of African youth and women. This course features guest lectures by and discussions with French and American scholars from Sciences-Po, Universite Paris 1, NYU, and Columbia, and is part of the Joint African Studies Program (JASP) at the Institute of African Studies that is supported by the Partnership University Fund (PUF) and the French Alliance Program at Columbia. It includes foundational readings on concepts, theories, and histories of social movements and citizenship in Africa as well as in-depth case studies on selective themes by various experts working on sub-Saharan Africa. It is unique insofar as it offers a strong foundation in social movements and citizenship while exposing students to in-depth case studies by leading experts working in a variety of disciplines and geographical contexts. All lectures and discussions are conducted in English.
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Instructor:
Jinny K Prais
Info - 3 points
Quantitative Analysis I for Internationa
MIA & MPA Quantitative Core I.
This course introduces the fundamentals of statistical analysis, with applications in public policy, management, and the social sciences. Students will begin with basic techniques for describing and summarizing data and progress toward more advanced methods for inference and prediction. The course emphasizes practical tools for interpreting quantitative data and drawing evidence-based conclusions about the social world.
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Instructor:
Doru Cojoc
Info - 3 points
Quantitative Analysis I for Internationa
MIA & MPA Quantitative Core I.
This course introduces the fundamentals of statistical analysis, with applications in public policy, management, and the social sciences. Students will begin with basic techniques for describing and summarizing data and progress toward more advanced methods for inference and prediction. The course emphasizes practical tools for interpreting quantitative data and drawing evidence-based conclusions about the social world.
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Instructor:
Doru Cojoc
Info - 3 points
Quantitative Analysis I for Internationa
MIA & MPA Quantitative Core I.
This course introduces the fundamentals of statistical analysis, with applications in public policy, management, and the social sciences. Students will begin with basic techniques for describing and summarizing data and progress toward more advanced methods for inference and prediction. The course emphasizes practical tools for interpreting quantitative data and drawing evidence-based conclusions about the social world.
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Instructor:
Doru Cojoc
Info - 3 points
Quantitative Analysis II for Internation
MPA Quantitative Core II.
This course introduces regression analysis as a key tool for policy analysis and program evaluation. Emphasizing causal inference, students will learn to assess the impacts of programs and policies using both experimental and non-experimental methods. The first half of the course reviews foundational concepts from Quant I and builds toward multiple regression techniques; the second half applies those tools to real-world policy settings. Designed for future practitioners, the course focuses on applying and communicating statistical concepts in accessible, non-technical language, and prepares students for advanced coursework in data analysis and program evaluation.
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Instructor:
Alan S Yang
CULPA: 5
Info
- 3 points
Quantitative Analysis II for Internation
MPA Quantitative Core II.
This course introduces regression analysis as a key tool for policy analysis and program evaluation. Emphasizing causal inference, students will learn to assess the impacts of programs and policies using both experimental and non-experimental methods. The first half of the course reviews foundational concepts from Quant I and builds toward multiple regression techniques; the second half applies those tools to real-world policy settings. Designed for future practitioners, the course focuses on applying and communicating statistical concepts in accessible, non-technical language, and prepares students for advanced coursework in data analysis and program evaluation.
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Instructor:
Alan S Yang
CULPA: 5
Info
- 3 points
Quantitative Analysis II for Internation
MPA Quantitative Core II.
This course introduces regression analysis as a key tool for policy analysis and program evaluation. Emphasizing causal inference, students will learn to assess the impacts of programs and policies using both experimental and non-experimental methods. The first half of the course reviews foundational concepts from Quant I and builds toward multiple regression techniques; the second half applies those tools to real-world policy settings. Designed for future practitioners, the course focuses on applying and communicating statistical concepts in accessible, non-technical language, and prepares students for advanced coursework in data analysis and program evaluation.
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Instructor:
Alan S Yang
CULPA: 5
Info
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Instructor:
Cristian Pop-Eleches
h-index: 23 Info - 3 points
Quantitative Analysis II for Internation
MPA Quantitative Core II.
This course introduces regression analysis as a key tool for policy analysis and program evaluation. Emphasizing causal inference, students will learn to assess the impacts of programs and policies using both experimental and non-experimental methods. The first half of the course reviews foundational concepts from Quant I and builds toward multiple regression techniques; the second half applies those tools to real-world policy settings. Designed for future practitioners, the course focuses on applying and communicating statistical concepts in accessible, non-technical language, and prepares students for advanced coursework in data analysis and program evaluation.
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Instructor:
Cristian Pop-Eleches
h-index: 23 Info - 3 points
Global Reliance on Russian Energy
Global Reliance-Russian E
This course examines the global reliance on Russian energy exports in the aftermath of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the realignment of geopolitical and energy markets. Students will assess whether Russia can operate without Western customers and whether the West can isolate Russia while securing its own energy needs. The course explores disrupted energy ties between Russia and Europe, shifting alliances with China, India, the Middle East, and the Arctic, and how sanctions have reshaped oil and gas flows worldwide. Through regional case studies and up-to-date policy analysis, students will investigate Russia's role in OPEC+, the Black and Caspian Seas, and the future of European energy diversification, including hydrogen initiatives.
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Instructor:
Natasha Udensiva
Info - 3 points
Putin and Global Anti-Americanism
Putin & Global AntiAmeric
This course explores the development of relations between Russia and the United States from the end of the Cold War to the present day. It also reveals a broader trend: in the early 1990s, it seemed that Western liberal values were triumphant worldwide. However, as Russia failed to transition into a democratic state, anti-Americanism and revanchism began to flourish. After becoming president, Vladimir Putin exploited these sentiments, ultimately making anti-Americanism a central aspect of his international political agenda. Russian propaganda has not only influenced the Russian population but also seeks to spread these ideas and conspiracy theories beyond Russia’s borders. As an inherently unstable political system, Russia aims to destabilize the West. The course concludes with an analysis of present-day dynamics.
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Instructor:
Mikhail Zygar
Info - 1.5 points
Politics of the Caucasus
This course tracks the trajectories of politics in the Caucasus, focusing on the political development of the independent states of the South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. While the emphasis is on contemporary dynamics, the course considers how Imperial Russian expansion and Soviet structures interact with current mechanisms of interest articulation and power. Topics include post-Soviet conflicts, regime types, institutions, political economy, and foreign policy. Students will examine each country individually and comparatively
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Instructor:
Julie George
Info - 3 points
Policy Communication and Advocacy
Policy Comms and Advocacy
MIA and MPA Policy Skills I Core.
This course provides students with practical skills to communicate clearly and persuasively on issues they care about. Whether writing to influence policy, shape public opinion, or present ideas within an organization, the ability to craft sharp, purposeful messages is essential. Students will learn to distill their key arguments, adapt their writing for different audiences, and develop strong foundational pieces such as op-eds, press releases, and policy memos. The course also introduces generative AI tools as part of the writing process—teaching students how to use AI to brainstorm, draft, and revise more efficiently, while critically assessing its outputs. As AI transforms how we write and communicate, this course equips students to harness its benefits while maintaining their own voice, judgment, and clarity of thought.
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Instructor:
Rumela Sen
CULPA: 1 Info -
Instructor:
George W III Miller
Info - 1.5 points
Policy Communication and Advocacy
Policy Comms and Advocacy
MIA and MPA Policy Skills I Core.
This course provides students with practical skills to communicate clearly and persuasively on issues they care about. Whether writing to influence policy, shape public opinion, or present ideas within an organization, the ability to craft sharp, purposeful messages is essential. Students will learn to distill their key arguments, adapt their writing for different audiences, and develop strong foundational pieces such as op-eds, press releases, and policy memos. The course also introduces generative AI tools as part of the writing process—teaching students how to use AI to brainstorm, draft, and revise more efficiently, while critically assessing its outputs. As AI transforms how we write and communicate, this course equips students to harness its benefits while maintaining their own voice, judgment, and clarity of thought.
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Instructor:
George W III Miller
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Instructor:
James P Holtje
Info - 1.5 points
Policy Communication and Advocacy
Policy Comms and Advocacy
MIA and MPA Policy Skills I Core.
This course provides students with practical skills to communicate clearly and persuasively on issues they care about. Whether writing to influence policy, shape public opinion, or present ideas within an organization, the ability to craft sharp, purposeful messages is essential. Students will learn to distill their key arguments, adapt their writing for different audiences, and develop strong foundational pieces such as op-eds, press releases, and policy memos. The course also introduces generative AI tools as part of the writing process—teaching students how to use AI to brainstorm, draft, and revise more efficiently, while critically assessing its outputs. As AI transforms how we write and communicate, this course equips students to harness its benefits while maintaining their own voice, judgment, and clarity of thought.
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Instructor:
James P Holtje
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Instructor:
Christopher Booker
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Instructor:
Jacob E Templin
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Instructor:
Liza Featherstone
Wikipedia Info - 1.5 points
Policy Design
MIA Policy Skills II Core.
Making good policy is a science, an art, and a craft. This course introduces students to the key principles of public policy design from global perspectives. Students will engage with a policymaker’s toolbox, examining best practices in evidence-based and participatory policymaking, policy innovation, and policy design. In addition to exploring the conceptual foundations of policymaking, the course equips students with practical tools they can apply throughout careers in government, think tanks, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector. A central focus of the course is policy memo writing. Students will learn how to conduct concise, evidence-based policy analysis and design meaningful policy solutions. Additional tools covered include: The design and use of indicators and public opinion polls; Stakeholder mapping; Public participation plans; Theories of change; Intersectional policy analysis.
By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of how public policy is made and implemented across diverse contexts, along with enhanced skills for designing effective public policies and programs.
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Instructor:
Daniel Naujoks
Info - 1.5 points
Writing and Delivering Speeches for Poli
Writing & Delivering Spee
MIA Policy Skills II Core.
This introductory course equips students with the fundamentals of persuasive speechwriting and public speaking for political, business, and nonprofit contexts. Students will explore the classical canons of rhetoric and apply them to contemporary speechwriting, developing both the art and science of persuasion.
Following an initial session on theory, the course focuses on building practical skills through writing, editing, and delivering original speeches. Topics include voice and message alignment, tailoring speeches to audiences and occasions, persuasive delivery techniques, and ethical considerations in shaping public discourse.
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Instructor:
James P Holtje
Info - 1.5 points
Writing and Delivering Speeches for Poli
Writing & Delivering Spee
MIA Policy Skills II Core.
This introductory course equips students with the fundamentals of persuasive speechwriting and public speaking for political, business, and nonprofit contexts. Students will explore the classical canons of rhetoric and apply them to contemporary speechwriting, developing both the art and science of persuasion.
Following an initial session on theory, the course focuses on building practical skills through writing, editing, and delivering original speeches. Topics include voice and message alignment, tailoring speeches to audiences and occasions, persuasive delivery techniques, and ethical considerations in shaping public discourse.
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Instructor:
James P Holtje
Info - 1.5 points
Communications Tools for Advocacy
MIA Policy Skills II Core.
This course builds on the writing and presentation skills developed in the first part of the SIPA Skills Course by exploring how these skills may be deployed in the broader context of organizational communications, with a focus on policy advocacy.
It will introduce students to a set of key communications tools that can drive effective policy advocacy by turning well-crafted, focused messages into impact. It will focus on the practical tactics that form part of an effective strategic communications plan, from handling one-to-one broadcast interviews to utilizing advocacy reports and publications targeting policymakers, to organizing events, media stunts, and leveraging celebrity spokespeople.
Students will produce and workshop their own video interviews, and conclude the course by developing a communications campaign plan, both in support of the policy memo/issue developed at the end of Policy Skills Part One. The objective is to introduce students to the scope of Comms work, both to develop their own skills and their understanding of how a Comms department approaches its mission.
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Instructor:
Jonathan Birchall
Info - 1.5 points
Visual Storytelling
MIA Policy Skills II Core.
This course provides students with a foundation in the principles and practices of video journalism and multimedia narrative. Against a backdrop of rapidly evolving platforms, technologies, and generative AI tools, students will learn how to create compelling, credible video content that cuts through the noise of the contemporary media landscape. Led by experienced journalists from PBS NewsHour and the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the class offers a blend of hands-on technical training, theoretical exploration of media production, and critical reflection on the social, ethical, and narrative dimensions of visual communication. Students will produce, film, write, and edit a portfolio of original video stories, using smartphones, digital cameras, and Adobe Premiere. Coursework includes individual and collaborative assignments, culminating in a final video essay project and pitch. In addition to developing technical skills, students will gain experience in story development, audience engagement, and content distribution.
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Instructor:
Christopher Booker
Info - 1.5 points
Writing about Policy
MIA Policy Skills II Core.
This course equips students with the journalistic tools necessary to communicate policy ideas to broad public audiences. Through a combination of seminar discussions and workshop-based learning, students develop fluency in multiple forms of opinion writing, including op-eds, essays, blogs, and newsletters. Weekly writing assignments guide students in translating specialized policy expertise into persuasive, accessible prose suitable for publication in student and professional media outlets.
Participants will learn to craft compelling narratives that bridge the gap between expert analysis and public discourse, while cultivating editorial skills through constructive peer feedback. The course emphasizes revision as a core element of the writing process and encourages students to experiment with different genres and styles.
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Instructor:
Liza Featherstone
Wikipedia Info - 1.5 points
North Korea: State, Society, Diplomacy,
North Korea: State & Stra
This seminar offers an in-depth, interdisciplinary examination of North Korea’s political system, society, foreign policy, and security strategy. Students will critically assess how outside powers influenced Korea’s division, the internal dynamics that shaped the Kim regime’s rise, and how state institutions continue to evolve. Drawing from political science, history, firsthand accounts, and policy documents, the course equips students to challenge common misperceptions and engage analytically with key questions surrounding North Korea’s economy, propaganda, human rights, gender dynamics, and nuclear posture.
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Instructor:
Jonathan Corrado
Info - 3 points
Ethics in Public Policy
Ethics for Public Policy
MIA & MPA Ethics Core.
This course investigates how ethical considerations shape, complicate, and often introduce dilemmas into the work of policymaking. It asks what justice, democracy, and responsibility demand in concrete policy contexts—should political leaders prioritize stability or accountability in post-conflict settings? Should elected officials follow their moral convictions even when doing so goes against the preferences of their constituents? Should public servants uphold the law when it conflicts with their moral principles? When is it right to work within flawed systems to achieve change, and when is it better to act from the outside? Through a mix of theoretical readings and case studies, students will learn to balance political, institutional, and ethical considerations, develop arguments for their moral choices, and advocate effectively for their policy decisions. The course is designed to cultivate reflective practitioners who can identify moral dilemmas in public policy, weigh competing values, and articulate their ethical positions in ways that are both critical and constructive.
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Instructor:
Nicole M Peisajovich
Info - 1.5 points
Ethics in Public Policy
Ethics for Public Policy
MIA & MPA Ethics Core.
This course investigates how ethical considerations shape, complicate, and often introduce dilemmas into the work of policymaking. It asks what justice, democracy, and responsibility demand in concrete policy contexts—should political leaders prioritize stability or accountability in post-conflict settings? Should elected officials follow their moral convictions even when doing so goes against the preferences of their constituents? Should public servants uphold the law when it conflicts with their moral principles? When is it right to work within flawed systems to achieve change, and when is it better to act from the outside? Through a mix of theoretical readings and case studies, students will learn to balance political, institutional, and ethical considerations, develop arguments for their moral choices, and advocate effectively for their policy decisions. The course is designed to cultivate reflective practitioners who can identify moral dilemmas in public policy, weigh competing values, and articulate their ethical positions in ways that are both critical and constructive.
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Instructor:
Nicole M Peisajovich
Info - 1.5 points
Ethics in Public Policy
Ethics for Public Policy
MIA & MPA Ethics Core.
This course investigates how ethical considerations shape, complicate, and often introduce dilemmas into the work of policymaking. It asks what justice, democracy, and responsibility demand in concrete policy contexts—should political leaders prioritize stability or accountability in post-conflict settings? Should elected officials follow their moral convictions even when doing so goes against the preferences of their constituents? Should public servants uphold the law when it conflicts with their moral principles? When is it right to work within flawed systems to achieve change, and when is it better to act from the outside? Through a mix of theoretical readings and case studies, students will learn to balance political, institutional, and ethical considerations, develop arguments for their moral choices, and advocate effectively for their policy decisions. The course is designed to cultivate reflective practitioners who can identify moral dilemmas in public policy, weigh competing values, and articulate their ethical positions in ways that are both critical and constructive.
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Instructor:
Nicole M Peisajovich
Info - 1.5 points
Ethics in Public Policy
Ethics for Public Policy
MIA & MPA Ethics Core.
This course investigates how ethical considerations shape, complicate, and often introduce dilemmas into the work of policymaking. It asks what justice, democracy, and responsibility demand in concrete policy contexts—should political leaders prioritize stability or accountability in post-conflict settings? Should elected officials follow their moral convictions even when doing so goes against the preferences of their constituents? Should public servants uphold the law when it conflicts with their moral principles? When is it right to work within flawed systems to achieve change, and when is it better to act from the outside? Through a mix of theoretical readings and case studies, students will learn to balance political, institutional, and ethical considerations, develop arguments for their moral choices, and advocate effectively for their policy decisions. The course is designed to cultivate reflective practitioners who can identify moral dilemmas in public policy, weigh competing values, and articulate their ethical positions in ways that are both critical and constructive.
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Instructor:
Nicole M Peisajovich
Info - 1.5 points
Ethics in Public Policy
Ethics for Public Policy
MIA & MPA Ethics Core.
This course investigates how ethical considerations shape, complicate, and often introduce dilemmas into the work of policymaking. It asks what justice, democracy, and responsibility demand in concrete policy contexts—should political leaders prioritize stability or accountability in post-conflict settings? Should elected officials follow their moral convictions even when doing so goes against the preferences of their constituents? Should public servants uphold the law when it conflicts with their moral principles? When is it right to work within flawed systems to achieve change, and when is it better to act from the outside? Through a mix of theoretical readings and case studies, students will learn to balance political, institutional, and ethical considerations, develop arguments for their moral choices, and advocate effectively for their policy decisions. The course is designed to cultivate reflective practitioners who can identify moral dilemmas in public policy, weigh competing values, and articulate their ethical positions in ways that are both critical and constructive.
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Instructor:
Nicole M Peisajovich
Info - 1.5 points
Ukraine: Power Politics and Diplomacy
Ukraine: Politics & Diplo
This seminar examines the political development, foreign policy, and historical trajectory of modern Ukraine, with particular attention to its evolving relationship with Russia and the West. The course is divided into three sections: (1) historical foundations of Ukrainian statehood; (2) thematic issues such as nationalism, governance, and Euroatlantic integration; and (3) the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Students will explore the origins, progression, and implications of the war, while considering potential paths toward resolution.
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Instructor:
Alexander J Motyl
CULPA: 1 Wikipedia Info - 3 points