TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
PRIVATE SYSTEMS
Selected topics in computer science (advanced level). Content and prerequisites vary between sections and semesters. May be repeated for credit. Check “topics course” webpage on the department website for more information on each section.
- Department: Computer Science
- R 8:10 a.m.-10 a.m.
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Instructor:
Roxana Geambasu
CULPA: 2 Wikipedia h-index: 20 Info - 3 points
TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
CAUSAL AI AND LLMS
Selected topics in computer science (advanced level). Content and prerequisites vary between sections and semesters. May be repeated for credit. Check “topics course” webpage on the department website for more information on each section.
- Department: Computer Science
- F 10:10 a.m.-12:40 p.m.
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Instructor:
Elias Bareinboim
h-index: 25 Info - 3 points
TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
APPL MACHINE LEARN CLOUD
Selected topics in computer science (advanced level). Content and prerequisites vary between sections and semesters. May be repeated for credit. Check “topics course” webpage on the department website for more information on each section.
- Department: Computer Science
- R 4:10 p.m.-6:40 p.m.
- 3 points
TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
THEORY OF AI ALIGNMENT
Selected topics in computer science (advanced level). Content and prerequisites vary between sections and semesters. May be repeated for credit. Check “topics course” webpage on the department website for more information on each section.
- Department: Computer Science
- F 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
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Instructor:
Henry Yuen
CULPA: 1 Info - 3 points
TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
HIGH PERF MACH LEARNING
Selected topics in computer science (advanced level). Content and prerequisites vary between sections and semesters. May be repeated for credit. Check “topics course” webpage on the department website for more information on each section.
- Department: Computer Science
- M 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
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Instructor:
Kaoutar El Maghraoui
Info - 3 points
TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
AI AND FORMAL REASONING
Selected topics in computer science (advanced level). Content and prerequisites vary between sections and semesters. May be repeated for credit. Check “topics course” webpage on the department website for more information on each section.
- Department: Computer Science
- F 10:10 a.m.-noon
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Instructor:
Baishakhi Ray
CULPA: 3 h-index: 24 Info - 3 points
TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
TPCS SCALABLE MATRIX COMP
Selected topics in computer science (advanced level). Content and prerequisites vary between sections and semesters. May be repeated for credit. Check “topics course” webpage on the department website for more information on each section.
- Department: Computer Science
- F 10:10 a.m.-noon
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Instructor:
Vasileios Kalantzis
Info - 3 points
TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
ADV TOPICS PROJ DEEP LEARNING
Selected topics in computer science (advanced level). Content and prerequisites vary between sections and semesters. May be repeated for credit. Check “topics course” webpage on the department website for more information on each section.
- Department: Computer Science
- W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Peter Belhumeur
CULPA: 6 h-index: 59 Info - 3 points
MA Thesis I
First part of two-term MA Thesis sequence for MRST MA Students.
- Department: Medieval and Renaissance Studies
-
Instructor:
Susan Boynton
CULPA: 18 Info - 4 points
M.A. Thesis I
M.A. Thesis Course for MARS-REERS program.
- Department: Russian Eurasian E. European
- M 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Elise Giuliano
CULPA: 6
Info
- 0-3 points
MA THESIS II
Second part of two-term MA Thesis sequence for MRST MA Students.
- Department: Medieval and Renaissance Studies
-
Instructor:
Susan Boynton
CULPA: 18 Info - 4 points
M.A. Thesis II
M.A. Thesis Course for MARS-REERS program.
- Department: Russian Eurasian E. European
-
Instructor:
Elise Giuliano
CULPA: 6
Info
- 0-3 points
Political Development
‘Political development’ is a generic concept that refers to the development of institutions, social structures and civic values that form the basis of a society's political organisation. Contrary to what was believed in the recent past, it is by no means the result of a universal model of historical evolution that applies to all societies. It takes shape as a result of a combination of changes brought about by national, transnational and international factors. Some transformations may occur over the long term: they can be analysed by observing structural changes, such as the development of colonialism, economic and financial globalisation, the system of international relations, demographic shifts or climate change, among many other factors. Other transformations may be triggered by specific events, such as civil wars, revolutions, international conflicts, economic crises, natural disasters and global pandemics. Nor should we underestimate the role of political leaders, active minorities or broader social movements in changes to the political organisation of societies.
Analysis of political development requires exploring the multifaceted changes in societies throughout national and global history, highlighting the diversity of political experiences and the multiple aspirations of peoples. It also requires avoiding interpretations biased by ideology and false assumptions, stereotypes and beliefs that are not based on evidence.
Each session of the course focuses on a specific topic and is structured in three parts. First, the instructor introduces the topic by outlining key analytical perspectives, guiding questions, and relevant controversies or debates. This is followed by a student group presentation. Finally, the session opens up to the class for a collective discussion. One of the main objectives of the course is to foster critical thinking, grounded in the solid foundations of the social sciences and a clear-eyed observation of current world events. The aim is to cultivate individuals with independent and discerning minds, capable of making fair, balanced, and well-reasoned decisions.
- Department: Development and Governance
- M 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Olivier Nay
Info - 3 points
Policy Solutions for Online Mis/Disinfor
Policy Solutions-Online I
While 2016 may have been the wake-up call, it is clear that what scholar Joan Donovan calls “the weaponization of the misinformation machine” has only gotten worse since then. The political, social, and psychological damage caused by the intensive dissemination of online mis/disinformation has been profound. However, much has been learned about how to address the problem, so we will emphasize understanding the role of Big Tech in circulating and profiting from online mis/disinformation and what policies/regulations are in play. This semeste,r we are paying particular attention to the aftermath of the 2024 election landscape and the strange post-truth environment we find ourselves in.
The first part of this course will focus on understanding mis/disinformation online. What exactly is it? Why should we care? What are the implications for Democracy? Who is the cast of characters creating mis/disinformation online? After we’ve understood these topics we will examine the fixes being proposed and tried globally. We will consider both the demand and supply side of the problem and national context shapes the solutions being tried. We will look at the pros and cons of efforts to promote responsible news consumption, enhance media literacy, fact-checking, and new regulations. Along the way, we will also discuss content moderation, platform liability, disclosure requirements for election advertising, and support for journalism.
Students who take this class will develop an understanding of:
The problem of online misinformation and disinformation— who is putting it online and what are their interests?
Familiarity with the universe of solutions that are being tried and the pros and cons of each approach
- Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
- W 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
- 3 points
Internet Governance and Human Rights
Internet Governance & Rig
Whoever controls the future of the internet, controls the future of the world.
We will study the technical roots of the internet, and the governance models engaging stakeholders – people and entities like telecom companies and their regulators, technologists and idealists, security forces and hackers – in constant tension. Each group faces challenges. Policymakers attempt to understand new technologies and their impacts, and hurry to update and replace laws, regulations, and norms for the digital age. Companies have responsibilities to law and policy but vary widely in their respect for users and responsiveness to governments. The UN Sustainable Development Goals identify new technologies as essential to development, but fail to extend connectivity to vulnerable or marginalized communities. And the cat-and-mouse game between cyber offense and defense leaves less-resourced groups -- and the right to privacy -- lagging.
We will confront questions like: Will national sovereignty reassert itself, breaking the internet, or will the vision of a borderless cyberspace prevail? Will the European approach set global standards, or simply aspire? How does the feminist vision of the internet apply to AI-generated spaces?
As a human rights lawyer engaged in digital issues for over 15 years, I will walk the class through the international human rights framework and how to apply it to key topics, from spyware and data protection, to net neutrality and internet shutdowns, platform governance, cybersecurity and generative AI.
To find the answers, we nimbly role-play, enjoy small group activities, welcome guest experts, and hone tech policy skills under time pressure. Expect to participate frequently, and to learn to navigate the most pressing issues facing companies, governments, and technologists today.
- Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
- W 5:10 p.m.-7 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Peter Micek
Info - 3 points
Persistent Problems in the Global South
Global South Challenges
This course examines the politics of persistent policy challenges in the Global South, a term that traditionally refers to developing nations but also encompasses marginalized communities in wealthier countries affected by globalization.Poverty, inequality, hunger, communicable diseases, water scarcity, political and financial instability, and corruption are among the most persistent challenges in the Global South. While policymakers have invested significant resources to address these issues, their global roots often make them more complex and difficult to resolve. Responses to these problems vary across the Global South, shaped by each country’s unique historical and political context. This variation highlights that developing countries are not uniform and provides valuable opportunities for comparative analysis of policies and outcomes.
This course takes a comparative approach, drawing on the histories and experiences of developing countries worldwide. Each week, we will focus on a key challenge in the Global South using an empirically grounded, case-based method, supported by relevant theoretical frameworks and policy literature. While recognizing country-specific differences, we will also examine common constraints—such as colonial legacies, resource scarcity, and institutional barriers—that set these nations apart from wealthier Global North countries.
- Department: Development and Governance
- W 1:10 p.m.-3 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Rumela Sen
CULPA: 1 Info - 3 points
Authenticity in the AI World: Approaches
Digital Content Provenanc
This course explores one of the most promising responses to the risks posed by Generative AI: digital content provenance. As AI-generated media grows more sophisticated and accessible, questions of transparency and authenticity have become central to the global informational ecosystem. Digital content provenance—an emerging open standard supported by thousands of organizations and recognized in recent policy actions such as the White House Executive Order on AI—offers a potential path to restoring trust in what we see and hear online.
Students will examine the technical foundations of provenance, including concepts such as public key infrastructure (PKI) and certificate authorities, and learn how provenance is being implemented across sectors including government, media, and technology. The course features guest speakers from industry and public service, providing insight into the policy, legal, and operational dimensions of this fast-evolving field.
Through research, writing, and the creation of an original provenance-enabled project, students will develop a strong understanding of how digital content provenance works and its relevance to future regulatory frameworks. This course is designed for those interested in the intersection of AI, digital media, global policy, and emerging technology standards.
- Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
- W 7:10 p.m.-9 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Mounir E Ibrahim
Info - 1.5 points
Principles & Practice of Online Trust &
Online Trust & Safety
What rules and expectations should online platforms such as Google, Meta, X, OpenAI, TikTok, or Uber use to govern themselves? How do technology companies mitigate socio-technical harms stemming from their products? And how should they respond to evolving geopolitical conflicts playing out on their services? This course introduces the emerging field of Trust & Safety: the study of how online platforms are abused and how these systems can cause individual and societal harms, as well as the frameworks and tools used to prevent and mitigate those harms.
Still relatively obscure but increasingly central to public policy and technology governance, Trust & Safety now spans issues including content moderation, disinformation, child safety, algorithmic harm, and state-sponsored influence operations. Students will build foundational knowledge of the field through academic texts, practitioner case studies, and engagement with tools, taxonomies, and governance approaches used in industry. Course topics include detection systems, enforcement methods, moderation tradeoffs, transparency frameworks, red teaming, and regulatory perspectives such as the EU Digital Services Act. Case studies will examine harms across the technological stack, from social media to video games, dating apps, and AI models.
Students will also engage directly with the tensions and practicalities of operating, regulating, or covering these issues in a policy or product environment. The course prepares students to critically evaluate and help shape interventions aimed at digital safety across sectors.
- Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
- M 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
-
Instructor:
Camille M Francois
Info - 3 points
Artificial Intelligence: A Survey for Po
AI for Policymakers
Updated course description: Artificial intelligence is not a purely technical field. Its roots lie in computer science, statistics, cognitive science, philosophy, linguistics, and other areas, and the policy questions are similarly varied. AI is at once a set of methods with a particular history and mathematical structure; a technology through which institutions make decisions about employment, finance, health, criminal justice, and more; and an international industry built on commercial incentives and physical infrastructure, including semiconductors, data centers, energy grids, and mineral supply chains. These dimensions are often treated separately, but many of the most consequential questions for policy arise where they meet.
This course examines AI from all these perspectives. It gives a basic foundation in computer science and machine learning, then uses concrete case studies to examine how technical choices interact with institutions, markets, law, and public policy. Topics may include government services, labor and workplace management, finance, healthcare, privacy, security, fairness, criminal justice, policing, immigration, facial recognition, and autonomous systems. The political economy of AI, including industrial concentration, compute, infrastructure, labor, trade, and the distribution of benefits and harms, serves as a throughline across the course.
The class is highly reading- and writing-intensive. One of its central goals is to train students to read contemporary research in artificial intelligence from a policy perspective, including work from computer science and adjacent technical fields. The instructor served as the first Director of AI for New York City and draws on that experience throughout. The course also includes guest speakers who work directly on significant AI and AI policy projects.
- Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
-
Instructor:
Neal P Parikh
Info - 3 points
Ethics of Media, Technology, and Design
Ethics-Media, Tech, and D
Each week we will examine a variety of case studies covering topics such as: the ethics of information design, algorithmic bias, deceptive user experience patterns, social media and commodification, safe spaces in virtual environments, the development of autonomous systems and smart cities, the relationships between artificial intelligence and copyright, democracy and media, and media activism and community organizing. Throughout the semester, students will select three ethical problems to research, including two case studies and one essay/ opinion piece. Using primary sources, photo, video, and graphics, students will capture pressing ethical issues. They will learn to navigate frameworks for ethical decision making, ethical management systems, and develop “codes” of ethics, and value statements. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on “ethical” user experience research during class exercises where they test websites, apps, and products. Finally, guests will be invited to the course to share their experience with developing ethical frameworks as media, design, and technology professionals.
- Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
- T 5:10 p.m.-7 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Laura S Scherling
Info - 3 points
African Politics and Governance
African Politics & Govern
This course focuses on contemporary politics in Sub-Saharan Africa. The course is divided into two segments: historical institutional development and challenges to governance in the current age. First, to understand the institutions that structure governance and policymaking today, we will begin with perspectives on historical institutional development. During our examination of historical legacies, we will explore how pre-colonial and colonial processes and institutions have shaped economics and politics across the continent. This includes changing notions of nationalism and independence movements, initial pathways towards authoritarianism and democracy, democratic liberalization, and authoritarian stability. We will engage with political economy, focusing particularly on early economic successes, reversals of growth, and international intervention efforts to constitute or reinforce liberal economic policies.
In the second segment of the course following the midterm, we will turn our attention to contemporary politics and governance. We will focus on popular demands for institutional reform in recent decades, regime responses to domestic and international pressures to democratize, and the ways in which governance is complicated by security challenges (e.g., intrastate conflict, violent non-state actors, communal violence) and climate stressors. In the final week, we will shift our attention to the ties between Sub-Saharan African states and outside actors, particularly the US, China, and Turkey. Gender, ethnicity, and transnational challenges serve as recurring themes throughout much of this second segment of the course.
- Department: Development and Governance
- R 5:10 p.m.-7 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Joseph M Lasky
Info - 3 points
Topics in Financial Inclusion: Enhancing
Financial Inclusion Topic
Research shows that countries with deeper levels of financial inclusion -- defined as access to affordable, appropriate financial services -- have stronger GDP growth rates and lower income inequality. In recent years, research around the financial habits and needs of poor households has yielded rich information on how they manage their financial lives, allowing for the design of financial solutions that better meet their needs, boosting financial inclusion. Nevertheless, an estimated 1.3 billion people globally remain underserved by financial services.
While microfinance institutions remain a leading model for providing financial services to the poor, new models and technology developments have provided opportunities for scaling outreach, improving the range of products and services, deepening penetration and moving beyond brick-and-mortar delivery channels. The course will provide an overview of selected topics in financial inclusion, with a focus on several foundational areas and select topics of current interest, including leading-edge digital financial services, gender, and innovative financial product design.
The course will be highly interactive, with leading industry experts as guest speakers and group assignments.
- Department: Development and Governance
- T 5:10 p.m.-7 p.m.
- 1.5 points
Digital Service Delivery for Leaders and
Digital Service for Polic
Radically different approaches to digital government are being pursued across the world, from Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) to the UK’s Government Digital Service. But one thing remains true: most public institutions are struggling to keep pace with technological change. This challenge is creating a crisis of confidence in large institutions and hampering the implementation of policies we need to move our world forward.
This course will study these varied approaches to digital government while equipping the next generation of leaders and public policy officials with tools to reform our institutions and deliver policy and digital services that improve outcomes, increase program efficiency, and delight the people that have to use them in the process.
No tech background? No problem. We will cover the fundamentals of digital service design and unpack important concepts like agile development, user-centered design, and iterative testing and learn how to incorporate them into policy work.
- Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
- W 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Haley Van Dyck
Info - 3 points
International Capital Markets
- Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
- T 5:10 p.m.-7 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Benedict O Okoh
CULPA: 1 Info - 3 points
Data and Conflict
This course equips students for humanitarian, human rights, foreign policy and political risk jobs that require real-time interpretation and analysis of conflict data. The course will introduce students to contemporary open-source data about conflict events, fatalities, forced displacement, human rights violations, settlement patterns in war zones, and much more. Students will learn about how this data is generated, what data reveals, what data obscures, and the choices analysts can make to use conflict data transparently in the face of biases. Then, students will learn introductory skills to visualize a range of conflict data in
R
and ArcGIS Pro. The objective is to give students the foundations to go further independently after the course using open-source training material and trouble-shooting portals. Each student will choose a conflict-related policy problem which they will investigate as the course progresses, culminating in a four-page policy brief or an ArcGIS Story Map, along with an explanatory memo.
- Department: International Security & Diplomacy
- R 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
-
Instructor:
Sophia Dawkins
Info - 3 points
Innovation Driving Development Impact
Innovation Driving Devt I
This course focuses on innovation in low and middle-income countries and how international development organisations and governments can drive better development processes and outcomes. Sessions will cover the role of innovation in fostering inclusive digital transformation, economic growth as well as practical applications of innovation in development policies and programmes. The course will feature a number of case studies from diverse low and middle-income countries as well as frameworks to help students gain a practical and conceptual understanding of innovation at various levels: macro, meso and micro.
The course is designed to help students sharpen their critical thinking skills related to development cooperation policies and programming writ-large, and specifically as they pertain to innovation and digital transformation efforts. Students will gain an understanding of the history of investments in science, technology and innovation (STI) systems in low and middle-income countries and in fields of digital transformation and mission-oriented innovation. Students will work individually and in groups on practical exercises related to innovation policies, local innovation ecosystems, grassroots and frugal innovation, and more. The practical exercises will be anchored in conceptual frameworks and case studies from across low and middle-income countries. Case studies include innovation efforts led by international development organisations as well as by Global South government entities and by local grassroots innovators.
Students will gain practical insights on how to advance inclusive innovation in the context of international development cooperation policies and programmes.
- Department: Development and Governance
- SU 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Benjamin Kumpf
Info - 1.5 points
Financing and Investing in Sustainable D
Finance for Sustainable D
This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the global financial system through the lens of sustainable development. Rather than focusing on ESG or impact investing, the course examines the structures, incentives, and decision-making processes of key financial actors, including public finance institutions, development banks, asset owners, central banks, and private capital markets, and how they can be mobilized to support the goals of sustainable development.
Through lectures, guest speakers, and case studies, students will explore topics such as carbon markets, infrastructure finance, industrial policy, China's international finance strategy, and degrowth economics. The course also addresses the skills and frameworks needed to engage professionally in sustainable finance across sectors.
- Department: MPA-DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE
- M 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Aniket A Shah
Info - 3 points
Migration and Economic Development
Economics of Migration
This course equips students with economic tools to analyze the impacts of international migration on destination and origin countries. Emphasizing migration between low-, middle-, and high-income economies, it explores the effects of migration restrictions, remittances, diaspora networks, and labor market outcomes. Students will review key economic models, assess policy debates, and engage with empirical research. The course combines lectures, case discussions, and applied assignments to strengthen analytical skills and inform policy recommendations in migration and development.
- Department: Development and Governance
- R 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Limon B Rodriguez
Info - 1.5 points
Impact Evaluations in Practice
This course will be useful for students who are committed to evidence-based operations, programming, strategy, and overall effectiveness. Impact evaluations, combined with strong data systems, are integral tools for this evidence-driven work. At the end of the course, students will understand why and when to conduct impact evaluations, how to manage one, and how to recognize and differentiate a good impact evaluation from a non-rigorous one.
Spring 2026 Course Dates: March 27-28 & April 3-4
- Department: Development and Governance
- FS 1:15 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
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Instructor:
Jyotsna Puri
Info - 1.5 points
Emerging Capital Markets: Theory & Pract
- Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
- T 7:10 p.m.-9 p.m.
- 3 points
Emerging AI and MERL: Responsible Use of
This course examines the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) in international development and humanitarian contexts. Students will explore two critical dimensions: using MERL approaches to assess AI systems (MERL of AI) and leveraging AI tools to conduct MERL activities (AI for MERL). The course situates AI technologies within current US and global geopolitical contexts, emphasizing both practical applications and ethical challenges that influence decisions about AI use in different development and humanitarian contexts.
Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, case studies, discussions, and hands-on exercises, students will develop knowledge and competencies in evaluating AI tools, understanding their limitations and biases, and making informed decisions about their appropriate use in development and humanitarian settings. The course addresses key ethical concepts (including data privacy, bias and inclusion, climate impacts), and helps students build their practical technical skills in AI for MERL. It also supports managerial level skills such as assessing AI vendors and developing AI use policies. Special attention is given to critical perspectives on both AI and MERL, examining how power dynamics and resource inequities affect AI development and deployment in low and middle-income countries.
Students will engage with practical AI tools throughout the course, developing skills in critical assessment while maintaining awareness of ethical boundaries and professional responsibilities. The course culminates in students developing an AI use policy, integrating technical knowledge with ethical frameworks and contextual considerations relevant to their future work in international development or humanitarian assistance.
- Department: Development and Governance
- W 5:10 p.m.-7 p.m.
- 3 points
Green Transition in Emerging Markets
Greening Emerging Markets
The transition to a net-zero economy is of particular relevance to Emerging and Developing economies, which are both the most vulnerable to climate change and also the largest emitters of greenhouse gases.
The transition is creating considerable challenges but also opening up significant opportunities: over $200 trillion of investments will be needed in order to ensure that global temperatures stay well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with most to be invested in the infrastructure sector of emerging and developing economies.
The class will explore the challenges of the transition to a low-carbon economy. It will also examine the new mechanisms that are being put in place to channel finance toward the greening of emerging and developing countries.
- Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
- R 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
-
Instructor:
Christian Deseglise
Wikipedia Info - 1.5 points
Operations Strategy
A firm's operations encompass all the activities that are performed in order to produce and deliver a product or a service. An operations strategy refers to a set of operational decisions that a firm makes to achieve a long-term competitive advantage. These decisions may be about the firms facilities, its technology/process choices, its relationships with both upstream and downstream business partners etc. The goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how and why operational decisions are integral to a firms success. The course builds on concepts from the core Operations Management course and the core Strategy Formulation course. It is highly relevant to anyone whose work requires the strategic analysis of a firms operations, including those interested in consulting, entrepreneurship, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, investment analysis, and general management. The course consists of four modules. The first module, Strategic Alignment," explores the question of how a firms operations should be structured so as to be consistent with the firms chosen way to compete. The second module, "Firm Boundaries," considers the question of what operational activities should remain in house and what should be done by a business partner and the long-term implications of these decisions on competitive advantage. This module also addresses the issue of managing the business relationships with supply chain partners. The third module, "Internal Operations," considers key decision categories in operations, e.g., capacity decisions, process choices, IT implementation, and managing networks, and shows how these decisions can lead to distinctive capabilities. The final module, "New Challenges," is set aside to address new topics that reflect the current trends in the business environment."
- Department: Decision, Risk and Operations
-
Instructor:
Medini Singh
Info - 3 points
Intelligence and US Foreign Policy
Intelligence & US Foreign
Instructor permission required. Join the waitlist in Vergil to request registration.
This seminar explores the role of intelligence in U.S. national security and foreign policy, focusing on both historic and contemporary controversies. Topics include intelligence failures such as 9/11 and Iraq’s WMDs, challenges in cyber and surveillance, and debates about covert action and interrogation practices. The course also considers the Intelligence Community’s (IC) relationship with policymakers, particularly during election cycles and presidential transitions. Recent failures in Russia and Israel will prompt discussion on whether intelligence failures are inevitable and how success or failure should be defined. Students will examine the core functions of intelligence—collection (human, technical, cyber), analysis, and covert action—and their place in a democratic society. Readings focus on the post-WWII period to the present, with an emphasis on reform efforts. Guest speakers and a crisis simulation will provide practical insight into intelligence work, including real-world pressures faced by analysts and decision-makers.
- Department: International Security & Diplomacy
- R 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
-
Instructor:
Peter Clement
Info - 3 points
Bad Science, Bad Policy: Improving Globa
Science, Pol & Global Hea
This course examines the relationship between scientific evidence and public policy through comparative case studies in global health. Focusing on both policy successes and failures, students explore how scientific evidence has been incorporated, ignored, distorted, or misused in decision-making across different political, historical, and institutional contexts. Through analysis of health crises, government responses, media coverage, and policy interventions, the course investigates the consequences of evidence-based and evidence-deficient policymaking. Case studies include contrasting approaches to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, such as HIV denialism in South Africa and Brazil’s evidence-informed prevention and treatment policies. Students assess the political and social factors that shaped these outcomes and consider how scientific expertise can be more effectively integrated into public policy. The course develops students' ability to critically evaluate policy decisions, understand the role of science in governance, and identify lessons for improving health policy and outcomes worldwide.
- Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
- T 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
-
Instructor:
Natalia Pasternak Taschner
Wikipedia Info - 3 points
Climate Change & ESG Investing
This course explores how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and climate considerations are reshaping public market investment strategies. Students will learn how institutional investors use ESG signals and climate-related data to assess risk, identify opportunity, and support real-world outcomes—all while meeting fiduciary obligations.
The class introduces the concept of the “Double Bottom Line,” or double materiality, where financial performance and sustainability impact are jointly pursued. Students will examine active and index-based approaches to climate and ESG investing, review emerging academic research, and hear from guest speakers on the evolving landscape of sustainable finance.
A key course deliverable is a student-designed investment strategy that applies the Double Bottom Line framework to a climate or ESG theme, demonstrating how it could drive financial returns and measurable impact.
This course is intended for students planning careers in asset management, policy, sustainability, or ESG advisory roles. It focuses exclusively on public markets and complements SIPA courses covering private finance and regulatory approaches.
Students should know basic finance concepts like beta, the Capital Asset Pricing Model, equilibrium, active and passive management, and portfolio risk and return. Students should be familiar with some basic knowledge of statistics, like the concepts of statistical significance and regressions. At least one semester of statistics is required. We recommend that students have taken some previous classes in finance, management, sustainability, or quantitative analysis.
- Department: Climate, Energy, & Environment
- T 8 a.m.-9:50 a.m.
- 1.5 points
Text as Data
Pre-req: SIPA IA6500 - Quant I, and prior experience with R are required. Instructor permission required. Join the waitlist in Vergil to request registration.
This course introduces students to the quantitative analysis of text, an increasingly important method in the social sciences and public policy. With vast amounts of textual information now available from sources such as social media, news articles, political speeches, and government documents, the ability to analyze text systematically is essential. Students will learn how to collect, process, and analyze text data to answer meaningful research questions.
The course covers a range of methods including dictionary-based approaches, supervised classification, topic modeling, word embeddings, and emerging applications of Large Language Models. Emphasis is placed on practical application through hands-on exercises using the R programming language. By the end of the semester, students will develop an original research project using text as data.
- Department: Data Science for Policy
- W 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
-
Instructor:
Tamar Mitts
h-index: 5 Info - 3 points
Biotechnology, Ethics and Society
Biotechnology, Ethics, So
This course examines the scientific foundations and public policy implications of genetics and biotechnology. Students explore how misconceptions about genetics have shaped public understanding, social attitudes, and policy debates, often resulting in deterministic views of human traits, identity, and behavior. Moving beyond traditional Mendelian models, the course introduces contemporary concepts in population genetics, human diversity, and genomic science to provide a more accurate understanding of how genes influence individuals and populations.
The course investigates the policy implications of genetic literacy in areas including race and ancestry, sex and gender, biotechnology, food systems, public health, and emerging genomic technologies. Students examine scientific and ethical debates surrounding genetic modification, CRISPR gene editing, genomic data privacy, and the regulation of biotechnology. Through case studies and policy analysis, the course develops students' ability to evaluate scientific evidence, assess competing claims about genetics and society, and engage thoughtfully with the governance challenges posed by advances in biotechnology and genomics.
- Department: Tech Policy and Innovation
- T 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
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Instructor:
Natalia Pasternak Taschner
Wikipedia Info - 3 points
Asian Financial Markets
Pre-req: SIPA IA6401 - Macroeconomic Analysis.
This course offers a comprehensive examination of the structure, evolution, and policy challenges of financial markets across Asia, focusing on key economies including Japan, China, India, South Korea, and ASEAN member states. It provides a historical overview of Asian financial development from the 1960s to the present, emphasizing the role of financial markets in supporting economic growth.
A central focus of the course is the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997–98, exploring its causes, policy responses, and long-term impacts on financial governance. Students will analyze the IMF’s controversial role during the crisis and the subsequent shift in Asian countries’ approaches to capital flows, exchange rate regimes, and monetary policy. The course also investigates the region’s efforts toward financial integration, cooperation, and institutional reform.
The second half of the course reviews the development trajectories of individual financial markets across Asia, with particular attention to Japan’s liberalization and demographic challenges, China’s rise and its promotion of the Renminbi as a global currency, and India’s financial sector reforms. The course further explores emerging issues including central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), infrastructure investment, and regional responses to global financial shifts.
Students will engage with current policy debates, case studies, and academic literature to understand the interplay between macroeconomic policy, financial regulation, and international finance in Asia.
- Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
- M 1:10 p.m.-3 p.m.
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Instructor:
Silvia Pezzini
Info - 3 points
Terrorism and Counterterrorism
This course examines the origins and development of modern terrorism, the challenges it poses to states and the international system, and the strategies employed to confront it. The course explores a wide range of terrorist groups, assessing the psychological, political, socioeconomic, and religious factors that contribute to terrorist violence. Students will also evaluate the effectiveness and ethical implications of various counterterrorism approaches. The course is structured in two parts. Part I addresses the nature, causes, tactics, and objectives of terrorism and terrorist organizations. Part II focuses on counterterrorism, including U.S. policy responses, international strategies, and the tension between security and democratic values.
- Department: International Security & Diplomacy
- T 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
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Instructor:
Stuart M Gottlieb
CULPA: 12
Info
- 3 points
Seminar in Urban Politics and Policy
S. Urban Politics and Pol
All public policy occurs within a political context. The purpose of this seminar is to examine how politics impacts policy in America’s large cities. While we rely on case material from American cities, the theoretical frameworks, problems, and policy solutions we consider are relevant to understanding public policy in any global city.
Cities are not legal entities defined in the American Constitution. Yet, historically, they have developed a politics and policymaking process that at once seems archetypically American and strangely foreign. We will consider who has power in cities and how that impacts policy priorities; whether America’s traditional institutions of representation “work” for urban America; how the city functions within our federal system; and whether neighborhood democracy is a meaningful construct. We will also consider the impact of politics on urban policymaking. Can cities solve the myriad problems of their populations under existing institutional arrangements? How are cities being affected by the post-pandemic work-from-home economy? Do the economic and social factors that impact urban politics and policy limit a city’s capacity to find and implement solutions to urban problems? How has increasing income inequality and persistent racial discrimination impacted urban governance and policy making? Does political protest result in changes in urban policy? Finally, can urban politics be restructured to better address problems of inequity and racial justice. Do cities have a viable economic future in post-pandemic America?
- Department: Urban and Social Policy
- M 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
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Instructor:
Ester Fuchs
CULPA: 4 Wikipedia Info - 3 points
Environmental Justice and Climate Resili
Env Justice & Climate Act
This course examines the intersections of race, equity, and environmental policy, focusing on the principles and practice of environmental justice and climate resiliency. Environmental justice asserts that all people have the right to live and work in healthy communities, free from environmental harm. The course explores how structural racism and historic policy decisions have contributed to disproportionate environmental burdens in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods, while also examining how climate change further exacerbates these inequities.
Students will gain a deep understanding of New York City and New York State climate policies, with connections to federal and international frameworks. Drawing on case studies, policy analysis, and community-led research, the course equips students to engage in efforts that address cumulative environmental hazards, promote equitable climate adaptation, and strengthen community resilience. Coursework integrates diverse disciplines including political science, urban ecology, economics, and sociology, as well as the perspectives of practitioners and advocates through guest lectures and applied assignments.
- Department: Climate, Energy, & Environment
- R 5:10 p.m.-7 p.m.
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Instructor:
Annel M Hernandez
Info - 3 points
Advanced Computing for Policy
Pre-req: DSPC IA6000 - Computing in Context,
or see option for testing out
.
In Computing in Context, students "explored computing concepts and coding in the context of solving policy problems." Building off that foundation of Python fundamentals and data analysis, Advanced Computing for Policy goes both deeper and broader. The course covers computer science concepts like data structures and algorithms, as well as data engineering tools like databases, cloud services, and collaboration tools. Over the semester, students will build a complex end-to-end data system. This course prepares students for more advanced data science coursework at SIPA, and equips them to do sophisticated data ingestion, analysis, and presentation. It's particularly well-suited to students looking to do data work in the public sector, not-for-profits, and academia.
- Department: Data Science for Policy
- R 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
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Instructor:
Aidan Feldman
Info - 3 points
Finance, Policy, and Investments in Sub-
Fince & Policy: Sub-Sahar
Finance, Policy, and Investments in Sub-Saharan Africa examines the interaction between public policy, financial systems, and private investment across selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The course focuses on how governments, financial institutions, and investors design and implement policies, financial products, and investment strategies to address development challenges and unlock economic opportunities.
Through comparative case studies and guest lectures by senior policymakers and industry leaders, students analyze real-world examples spanning banking reform, development finance, mobile money, health and financial inclusion, private equity, and infrastructure investment. Each case highlights the underlying market conditions, policy frameworks, investment structures, and measurable outcomes, with attention to both successes and limitations.
Designed for students interested in international finance, economic policy, and emerging markets, the course equips participants with analytical tools to assess risk, evaluate policy effectiveness, and understand how financial innovation can support inclusive growth in developing economies.
- Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
- T 1:10 p.m.-3 p.m.
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Instructor:
Benedict O Okoh
CULPA: 1 Info - 1.5 points
Critical Issues in Urban Public Policy
This course is designed to prepare future policymakers to critically analyze and evaluate key urban policy issues in US cities. It is unique in offering exposure to both practical leadership experience and urban policy scholarship that will equip students to meet the challenges that face urban areas. Students are responsible for all the required readings and they will hear from an exciting array of guest lecturers from the governmental, not for-profit, and private sectors. Drawing from my experiences as former Mayor of Philadelphia, I will lay out fundamental issues of urban governance and policymaking, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities cities are now facing.
- Department: Urban and Social Policy
- W 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
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Instructor:
Michael A Nutter
Info - 3 points
International Trade
IFEP Concentration Registration Priority.
This course explores both the theory and policy of international trade. In the first half, students will learn why countries trade, what determines trade patterns, and how trade affects prices, welfare, and income distribution. Key models covered include the Ricardian, Specific Factors, and Heckscher-Ohlin models, along with extensions on migration and offshoring. In the second half, the course focuses on trade policy instruments such as tariffs, quotas, and subsidies, examining their effects under different market structures. Topics include the political economy of trade, strategic trade policy, climate and agricultural subsidies, and international trade agreements. Prior coursework in microeconomics is required. Students will develop both analytical and applied understanding of global trade issues.
- Department: International Finance & Economic Policy
- T 7:10 p.m.-9 p.m.
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Instructor:
Sebastian Heise
Info - 3 points
Conduct of War
The conduct of war is central to international security policy. Even when unused, the ability to wage war effectively underpins deterrence and shapes foreign policy. Military organization, training, and strategy are built around this capacity, and the institutions that support it exist largely to ensure effectiveness in conflict. A strong grasp of modern warfare theory and practice is essential for anyone pursuing a career in security policy. This course provides a foundation in the conduct of war, preparing students for professional roles in government agencies, legislative offices, think tanks, and international organizations. It focuses on developing the analytical skills and conceptual tools needed for early-career success and long-term growth in the defense policy field. While the course includes critical thinking and key concepts, it is intended as targeted professional preparation rather than general education. The course complements ISDI IA6000: Foundations of International Security Policy, ISDI IA7250: Military Technology Assessment, and ISDI IA7275: Methods for Defense Analysis. While these courses may be taken independently, this course does not address topics such as war’s causes, ethics, or technology evaluation, which are covered elsewhere. Instead, it concentrates on the theory and practice of how wars are conducted.
- Department: International Security & Diplomacy
- T 5:10 p.m.-7 p.m.
- 3 points