As of November 6, 2017

Spring 2018 IAFF Graduate Course Descriptions

Course # Sec # CRN Course Description
IAFF 6102 10 Global Gender Policy- This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to examining the development
of global policy aimed at achieving gender equality. The course provides an overview of the concept of
gender equality, its capture in global policy and approaches to advancing implementation of select
thematic areas of gender equality policy at global and country levels. Participants will gain knowledge of
the genealogy of the current architecture of global gender equality policy, learn to critique policy
approaches taken to advance gender equality and become familiar with the various strategies and tools
used to advance implementation of these policies. Discussion of thematic policy areas includes formal
economy employment, international security policy, education, health, violence against women, and
IAFF 6118 11 34789 Gender, War, h & Peace- With a specific focus on women’s rights, roles, and experiences of war and
peacebuilding, this course thematically examines war as a gendered phenomenon, using feminist
analysis as a theoretical frame. The seminar thematically covers issues such as: masculinities,
femininities, and militarization; violent actors and the politics of gendered victim/perpetrator roles;
wartime gendered violence; the post-war context and critical examination of global laws, policies, and
normative approaches to international peace and security. The seminar focuses on a number of case
study contexts globally and will draw on feminist and gender theory while also examining policy and
practice approaches to addressing the gendered aspects of war and peace.
IAFF 6118 12 34790 Rising China and Africa- This course looks at the totality of the China-Africa relationship historically,
currently and into the future. It follows six years of research and writing for a book that I co-authored
with Josh Eisenman published in 2012 by the University of Pennsylvania Press and titled China and
Africa: A Century of Engagement. The course, which covers both North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa,
will give special attention to the security interests of China in Africa’s 54 countries.
IAFF 6118 14 37535 International Development Policy- This course examines the scope and nature of international
development assistance and the challenges currently facing development agencies. It surveys
development theory since Bretton Woods and the Marshall Plan and considers how changes have been
reflected in the operational strategies of leading bilateral and multilateral donors. Then the focus of the
course will shift to the methods and tools that characterize the work of principal donors, from needs
assessment and project design to evaluation. The effectiveness of development assistance will be an
important theme of this course, in particular how mixed results have brought methods and concepts into
question and how agencies are responding to this challenge.
IAFF 6118 15 34791 Nuclear Security Policy- This graduate seminar familiarizes students with the topics, institutions, and
tools necessary to understand, inform, develop, and implement nuclear security policy, encompassing the
security of weapons-usable nuclear materials and the prevention of nuclear terrorism and proliferation by
denying access to these materials. Special emphasis will be given to contemporary trends including state
failure, the role of non-state actors, diffusion of dual-use technology, and the development of disruptive
technology. Students will be evaluated on the basis of the development of five types of communication
products relevant to nuclear security policy debates: 1) an action memorandum to a senior U.S.
Government official, 2) an op-ed piece suitable for a mass distribution publication, 3) a white paper
proposing work to a potential client or funder, 4) a non-paper communicating a policy position to a foreign
government, and 5) an action alert suitable for distribution to an activist network.
IAFF 6118 16 37536 Research Methods in International Affairs- This class introduces students to the main methods of
qualitative research: interviewing, taking oral histories, running focus groups, doing surveys, and
participant observation. Students will also discuss the ethics of qualitative research, looking at some
studies that have been criticized as unethical (the infamous Stanford prison experiment, an undercover
study of gay sexual practices, and a deceptive study of undergraduate dorm culture, for example).
Students will spend part of the semester conducting their own research projects, which they will present
to the class. Students will learn about qualitative research through "how-to" readings, reflective articles
by practitioners, guest presentations, and through practicing the techniques we read about. From time to
time the instructor will share his own research materials and discuss dilemmas he faced in his research.
IAFF 6118 17 37537 International Law- This course will cover the fundamental underpinnings of international law, with a
focus on Public International Law, and address specialized topics ranging from environmental law to the
law of war. At the end of the course, students should be conversant with the international legal order and
have a strong understanding of the law’s applicability to international issues.
IAFF 6118 81 36705 Strategy, Global Markets and Politics- Whether you are a future manager, policy maker, diplomat,
lawyer or employee of an international organization, understanding the interactions of firms with their
broader business environment is an essential skill that will be invaluable for your professional career. We
will examine how companies gain a competitive advantage by successfully shaping their broader business
environment, how managers play political influence games with stakeholders from multiple countries and
how firms form alliances with different interest groups. We will cover a variety of topics such as analyzing a
firm’s business environment, stakeholder engagement, lobbying, climate change, political influence games,
sustainable development and strategy, ethical dimensions of business, analyzing different market and non-
market environments, strategy and energy policy and firms’ interactions with political actors.

IAFF 6122 10 31943 Development Policy & Practice- International development is a dynamic field of theory, policy and
11 31944 practice. Understanding all three and their intersections is crucial to working effectively in the field of
development. The politics and practice of international development have changed dramatically over the
past 60 years. Development practitioners must be prepared to adapt to a climate that shifts constantly in
response to changes in organizational structure, policy mandates and practice patterns. This course will
be conducted as a graduate-level seminar, in which assigned readings will be discussed in class.
Careful reading of required texts, reports and other documents is a key component of this course, as is
preparation of materials relevant to class assignments. Students will be expected to contribute robustly to
class discussions, articulating informed opinions and understanding of authors’ arguments.
IAFF 6138 11 31945 Violence, Gender, & Humanitarian Assistance - The objective of the course is to engage students in
developing a practical understanding of the issues, challenges, policies, and interventions around one of
the most challenging health, human rights, and protection issues in humanitarian emergencies. Gender-
based violence (GBV) is a multi-sectoral, multi-level, and inter- organizational problem. To further
complicate the issue, GBV is on the blurry line between “humanitarian aid” and “development”. Each
class will involve active student participation, with the instructor and/or guest speaker giving a brief
presentation (including case studies and short films) and students summarizing the key issues and
discussion points from assigned readings, followed by discussion and analysis.
IAFF 6138 12 35885 Democracy & Governance Development - This graduate seminar focuses on democracy and
governance within the field of comparative politics, looking at these specific topics as they are applied to
development. Rather than taking a specific, geographic focus, this course is organized to investigate
substantive topics across the democracy and governance spectrum. A number of country-specific
examples and cases will be explored to test the application of theories and to deepen students’
appreciation of the extent and limits of democracy and governance development.
IAFF 6138 13 35886 Care of Children in Complex Emergencies- Whether the crisis is a natural disaster, such as the 2010
earthquake in Haiti and 2004 Asian Tsunami, a violent conflict, such as the 1994 Rwandan genocide, or the
ongoing HIV/AIDS pandemic, children caught in complex humanitarian emergencies are among the most
vulnerable in the world. This course is designed to give students a broad understanding of the history of
humanitarian assistance provision including an overview of the critical needs and challenges of serving
children in complex emergencies. In exploring these needs and challenges, emphasis will be placed on
understanding the nuances of care that accompany a comprehensive humanitarian response from a child
rights perspective. The course will explore both different policy, programming and protection frameworks
through the lens of children and the organizational, operational and moral challenges to assistance
provision. Further, the course will examine the role of international law and actors, as well as conventional
understandings of protection, resilience, best interests, and assistance.
IAFF 6138 14 34553 Gender & Development - This graduate-level seminar will begin by examining the evolution of
theoretical approaches regarding gender and development and the debates that have emerged over
how to promote gender equity and rights across the gender spectrum. We will then consider some of
the key issues in the field of gender and development and the range of actors who are involved in
promoting gender equality. Throughout the course, we will seek to identify general patterns and
lessons with broader applications as well as to recognize challenges and differences within and between
societies. We will frequently use case studies and materials produced by development practitioners to
ground our discussions and study how organizations have sought to implement gender-sensitive
approaches to development.
IAFF 6138 15 32899 Youth & Development - With more than half the world’s population under the age of thirty, youth
issues have gained prominence on the international development agenda. That includes education and
employment, health care and family life, and civic engagement and political participation. While large,
idle youth populations have often been associated with instability or crime and violence, young
productive labor forces have been associated with economic growth in East Asia, and are routinely
discussed as the heart of Africa’s potential to reap the so-called demographic dividend. Constructive youth
participation in development is often hampered by poverty, conflict, exploitation, discrimination, or lack of
access to education, financial and health services, and connective technology. Yet, at the same time,
youth-led social and political movements, successful young business and civic entrepreneurs, rapid
technological adoption, robust networks, and a growing cadre of young innovators and inventors, are
inspiring belief and support for young people as partners and leaders in development, peace and
prosperity.
IAFF 6138 17 34815 Gender and Economic Development – This course examines contemporary economic development and
its ties to gender. Within economic development, gender and other categories of identity such as ethnic
group, disability status, and educational level link both to inequalities and responses to them. To study
gender and economic development, this course will explore: workforce opportunity, resource access, policy
funding, asset ownership, casework distribution, trade liberalization, and household, community and
national-level decision-making. Students in this course become familiar with recent analyses of the
relationships between gender and economic development from a range of sources and disciplines. Students
also learn to provide their own recommendations concerning these issues.
IAFF 6138 18 35888 Climate Change & Sustainable Development- With climate change impacts being felt across many
parts of the world – particularly in fragile states and those least able to adapt – climate change has become
a central part of the global sustainable development agenda. The concept of climate resilient development
is bringing core climate science into development strategies and programs, and posing significant questions
about how development investments are made and how results are measured. It also raises key ethical
questions about the expectations placed on developing countries to mitigate their greenhouse gas
emissions as well as the role of developed countries to support developing countries to adapt to climate
change. This course will investigate the science of climate change, the impacts for developing countries,
and the theoretical foundations of policy responses. It will also delve into the practical opportunities and
challenges related to addressing climate change in developing countries and integrating climate change
considerations into existing development approaches.
IAFF 6138 20 37539 Disasters, Fragility, & Resilience-Through lectures, exercises, and direct engagement with
humanitarian leaders, students will attempt to answer the questions posed above by (1) addressing the
drivers and consequences of fragility, conflicts and risks; and (2) exploring both the challenges and
opportunities within the humanitarian assistance and disaster risk management community to promote
resilient outcomes in vulnerable communities.
IAFF 6138 21 37540 Evaluating Disaster Assistance- Accountability in disaster and humanitarian action is a top priority for
public and private donors that fund emergency response, but delivering on promises is even more critical
to disaster affected communities and households. The course focuses on the practice of evaluation of
humanitarian action and emergency response. The evaluative process and standards will be presented in
the first part of the course. The course then focuses on methodological choices and common techniques
used in emergency response evaluations. These sessions are intended to provide students with practical
advice on each step in the evaluation process. Finally, the course looks at innovative approaches to
evaluation that have been applied to emergency context. These promising approaches address some of the
key constraints to emergency response evaluation and will likely become common practice in the near
future.
IAFF 6138 Post-Socialist Development in Central Asia- Transforming the former Soviet Union into independent
states connected to a capitalist world economy was perhaps the most dramatic and ambitious development
project of the last fifty years. This project was led mostly by former Soviet bureaucrats, who took on the
challenge of state-building from a position informed by Soviet experience, and was facilitated by an
international development effort to guide these new states towards systems characterized by liberal
democracy and globalized free markets. All of the post-Soviet states continue to exist as relatively stable
polities with ties to the global economy, but the international vision of recreating them in the model of
western democracy and capitalism has not been fully realized, perhaps with the exception of in the Baltic
states. The challenges that this developmental vision for the former Soviet Union faced are particularly
vivid in the five states of Central Asia, each of which have taken their own path towards development, but
none of which today could be characterized as either a liberal democracy or as a fully functional free
market. Furthermore, the region of Central Asia offers special challenges, and arguably opportunities, for
development given its landlocked, but geopolitically important geography, its natural resource wealth, and
its unique position as a highly secularized part of the Muslim world. This course examines the last 25 plus
years of development in Central Asia, paying particular attention to the goals and actions of the
international development community as well as to the challenges faced by this community in realizing its
goals in the region. In doing so, it provides a history of the region since 1991 that is focused on the ways
each country’s development has and has not been shaped by international development actors. The final
five weeks of the course provides an in-depth look at each country’s particular development path and
discusses possible future trajectories for each of them. In addition to appealing to students interested in
Central Asia, the course will be of interest to students of international development, especially of the field’s
mixed results in transforming socialist and authoritarian systems into liberal ones both politically and
economically.
IAFF 6138 Indigenous Peoples and Development- The course examines the complexities of the interaction
between indigenous peoples and development in the world today. In doing so, it problematizes the
concepts of both indigenous peoples and development in order to push students to rethink their
interrelationship. In particular, the course focuses on recent expanded definitions of indigenous peoples
that go beyond the traditional populations represented by this term to also include marginalized ethnic
groups in Asia and Africa. In addition to re-examining the definitions of indigenous peoples and
development, the course explores the development of policies undertaken by the international community
towards indigenous peoples and the growth of transnational indigenous political organizations. Finally,
through the examination of several case studies, it provides a critical assessment of how indigenous
peoples, states, and international development organizations have interacted in recent history. Through
discussions of the case studies, students should begin to formulate their own ideas about how international
development efforts can best benefit indigenous peoples and whether lessons learned in development
projects with indigenous peoples can serve to improve the international development field writ large. This
course will be of interest to students both of indigenous peoples and their position in the global economy
as well as of international development and its approach to working with marginalized populations.
IAFF 6142 10 33356 Technology Creation & Diffusion- The purpose of this course is to examine the factors that underlie
the creation of new technologies, their translation into innovations, and their dissemination throughout the
economy. The discussion will cover issues of interest to new technology producers and users in the private
business sector, universities and government. The main focus of the discussion will be the prevailing
environment in developed market economies. Developing countries will be dealt with to some extent –
emerging economies in particular – more so if there is interest in the class. We will examine in some depth
important global aspects of technology creation and dissemination and their historical extensions. We will
also expand on issues of technology/innovation management in industry, universities, and government.
And, of course, we will address the implications for policy.
IAFF 6146 10 33086 Space Law- This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of legal principles and issues in
domestic and international space law. Students will read and critically evaluate the U.N. treaties that
establish legal principles of international space law and show how legal institutions are organized and
interact both nationally and internationally; demonstrate an understanding of the multifaceted nature of
legal and policy issues and demonstrate how to approach problems in an interdisciplinary manner; and
acquire the background knowledge and analytical tools that will allow them to address problems,
recommend policy and legal options as well as specific legal solutions, and evaluate the possible outcomes
in different settings.
IAFF 6151 10 36111 Environmental Policy- This seminar course examines environmental policy and politics from an
international perspective. The course will introduce students to the fundamentals of international
environmental policymaking processes, such as key policy paradigms, actors, and institutions; familiarize
students with critical issue areas including climate change, ozone depletion, international resource
conservation, and others; and examine environmental policymaking as it relates to other issue areas such
as science and technology and international development. The goal is to prepare students to think
critically and analyze environmental policy and politics in the context of the global political system.
Students should come away from the course with a clearer understanding of what environmental policy
entails, in terms of both practice and of outcomes; what the range of relevant policy options and key
issue areas are; and a generally broader knowledge of international environmental issues and the factors,
drivers, and constraints that affect them.
IAFF 6153 10 31947 Science, Technology & National Security Policy- A broad, complex, and multidimensional set of
factors contribute to the ability of states to use science and technology to advance their national security.
This course examines how effectively states, and the United States in particular, develop policies
designed to translate science and technology into strategic advantage. To assess these factors the course
addresses a range of issues including innovation, revolutions in military affairs, globalization and
international economic integration, technology transfer and export controls, changing global security
dynamics, and the impact of emerging technologies on defense industries and military power. Major
themes addressed throughout the course would form parts of any integrative framework for
understanding the interplay between science, technology, and national security policy.
IAFF 6158 10 32604 Economics of Space- This course will address international space policy issues facing the United States and
place them in context with broader technological advances and the changing strategic environment. The
course will address current bureaucratic and regulatory issues facing U.S. space programs with regard to dual-
use technologies, including export controls, spectrum management, and licensing of commercial remote
sensing systems. Conflicts over dual-use technologies, such as space launch, remote sensing, satellite
navigation, and communications, will be examined for their implications for a range of national interests. The
course will also address strategic choices facing other nations in space activities, including dependence on
U.S., European, and Russian space capabilities, developing indigenous space programs, and use of commercial
space capabilities.
IAFF 6158 11 33956 Energy Policy- This course focuses on the patterns of international energy policy-making
and implementation, energy geopolitics, and the emergence of environmental and institutional challenges
that will fundamentally reshape the way global society extracts and consumes energy. It is organized
around historical patterns, current issues, and future prospects. An integrating theme is the role played by
science and technology.
IAFF 6158 12 34367 Cybersecurity- This course will focus on the transnational impact of non-state actors on international
policy and security. We will analyze different types of actors, from transnational criminal organizations
to NGOs to terrorist groups primarily through case studies. Students will consider the interaction of non-
state actors with state actors, evaluating impacts on sovereignty and governance worldwide.
IAFF 6158 13 37718 Geospatial Law & Policy (1 credit)- At the conclusion of this course, students will develop an
understanding of the balance between the societal and economic benefits of spatial and location
technology against the potential risks to privacy and national security. The course will also cover the
ability of various legal and policy regimes and institutions to impact emerging technologies in the
geospatial field. A major component of the course will be a team project where students will research and
discuss the legal and policy issues impacting the collection, use and sharing of spatial data to address
important transnational issues.
IAFF 6160 10 32323 Defense Policy & Program Analysis- Since the National Security Act of 1947 established the
13 35095 Department of Defense, the development of defense policy has evolved into a complex process. This
course will explore the various dimensions of defense policy to include political factors, major actors, the
processes by which defense policy is made, the challenges of managing the defense establishment, and
debates about the future roles and missions for the military. The approach to this course will be
combination of lecture and discussion with emphasis on the latter. The course will cover some theoretical
concepts about defense policy and analysis but wherever possible we will discuss defense policy in
practical terms based on recent developments. We will begin our exploration by examining the challenge
of developing strategy, the nature of civil-military relations, and then proceed to a discussion of various
actors and their roles in the defense policy process. We will also discuss budgetary and weapons
acquisition issues as well as the evolution of warfare.
IAFF 6163 10 33099 Transnational Security- This course focuses on transnational security issues and considers how many of
11 32301 these myriad challenges constitute threats to global peace and security. The combined effects of such
12 34137 transnational security issues as drug, weapons, and human trafficking, piracy, acts of terrorism, infectious
diseases, and deliberate environmental destruction, along with such critical enablers as corruption, and
money movements, are not strangers on the world stage. What is new is their global reach and destructive
potential. As a result, these issues have made policy makers consider different conceptions of security and,
at times, to move beyond sole considerations of state sovereignty into the realm of human security.
IAFF 6165 10 32329 Fundamentals of Intelligence- This graduate-level seminar will discuss the basics of intelligence
11 32324 collection, production, and analysis and provide an introduction to the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC),
the authorities under which the IC operates, its role in informing U.S. national security and foreign
policy, its role in implementing policy decisions, and the formation of policy and laws that guide the IC.
The class will examine the IC in the context of historical, current, and expected future scenarios, and will
discuss historic and potential future changes in how the IC informs and implements policy, as well as how
oversight is conducted. In particular, the class will discuss the expanded role of the IC, both analytically
and operationally, in the post-9/11 world, as well as the impact of the Wikileaks, Snowden, and other
unauthorized disclosures in recent years.
IAFF 6169 10 32325 Homeland Security- The mission of the course is to develop a better understanding of the present and
future direction of the local and international aspects of securing a nation from current and developing
threats. The course develops an understanding of operational, diplomatic, and technical policy making
that includes the workings of international organizations and groups such as the United Nations, the
European Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as well as such efforts as the Proliferation
Security Initiative and other arms control and weapons control agreements, treaties and organizations. At
the national level the course will address securing national borders, countering illicit trafficking in
weapons, precursors and people who may constitute a threat, and developing technologies to protect
citizens and using intelligence and law enforcement.
IAFF 6171 10 32615 Intro to Conflict Resolution- This course provides students with an introduction to the field of conflict
11 33357 analysis and resolution. It is intended to provide a solid foundation for further inquiry and application.
The course will introduce students to the major concepts and issues currently animating the field,
explore the main strategies for responding to conflicts, and help them recognize and critique the
assumptions upon which these strategies rest. This course considers the “upper end” of the conflict
spectrum, focusing on inter-state disputes, contemporary civil wars, complex political emergencies and
other forms of organized violence. At the end of the course students should be acquainted with the
nature of conflict resolution as a distinct theoretical and applied field of study and have some
understanding of current thinking about major approaches to war prevention, mitigation, settlement,
and post-war reconstruction projects. It will be useful for anyone with an interest in conflict resolution
and management, including professionals in the fields of diplomacy, journalism, development
assistance, humanitarian aid or international peacekeeping who wish to develop their knowledge of this
important area.
IAFF 6186 10 34132 Military Technology Assessment- The purpose of this course is to equip you with the basic knowledge
of military technology you will need to succeed as a junior to mid-career professional in this field. To this
end, the focus throughout the semester will be on the requirements of sound analysis in a professional
policy advisory setting. Our goal is not to train you as an engineer, and we assume no prior knowledge of
technology and its analysis. But we do intend for you to understand enough of the basics of how key
military technologies work – and especially, how the strengths and weaknesses of different technologies
interact in a constrained design environment – to enable you to function effectively in the analytical
workplace. The topics we cover will be useful if you expect to be a member of a study team, an analytical
project director, a government contract monitor for research and analysis, an acquisition officer or
program manager, a congressional staffer, or an intelligence analyst.
IAFF 6186 12 37711 Russia and International Security- Russia’s “hybrid warfare,” a blend of offensive cyber intrusions,
information warfare, covert actions, special operations forces, and traditional Soviet-era combat tactics, has
become one of the most effective military strategies in recent history. This seminar will teach students how
Russia’s security apparatus executes disinformation campaigns, political sabotage, election disruption,
government subterfuge, artificial intelligence “bots” in social media, computational propaganda, and new
technologies to dominate conventional battlefields. Other topics include: Pre-Soviet and Soviet military
history; Russian foreign policy and grand strategy; NATO enlargement; Russian military interventions and
the Ukraine/Crimean crisis and aftermath; energy security; new Russian defense systems and military
capabilities; post-Soviet States’ security and Eurasian conflicts; threats form Eurasian transnational crime;
nuclear strategy, arms control, and missile defense; and whether Russia and China are allies or rivals.
IAFF 6186 13 32090 Political Risk Analysis- The political risk analysis (PRA) graduate course will examine frameworks and
methodologies that measure and mitigate political risk in a range of environments at the macro (national
and international) and at the micro (local and regional) levels. Approaches will combine research from the
international relations and political risk areas together with risk analysis derived from psychology to
provide students with an array of approaches to understand the critical aspects of evaluating risks.
Emphasis is placed on the interchangeable connection between theory, research and practice, as well as
the integration of various approaches towards political risk analysis in an organized framework. Political
risk analysis is a multidisciplinary field of study which analyzes, measures, manages and mitigates the
impact of political risk to foreign and domestic businesses and investments, organizations, and individuals.
Political risk emanates from the (in) actions or reactions of stakeholders within a political system to events.
IAFF 6186 14 34908 Illicit Finance & National Security- Transnational illicit non-state actors, corrupt state officials, and
governments conducting illicit activity all exploit the international financial system to move and hide funds,
raise revenue, or procure and pay for goods. The illicit dimension of the globalization of finance has
sparked states and international organizations to develop systemic regulatory frameworks and expand
and refine the use of targeted sanctions. This course will examine the operations, mechanisms, and
vulnerabilities of illicit financial networks and U.S. and multilateral efforts to counter them, highlighting the
key role of the private sector in contributing to the success or failure of financial measures. The course
will also examine the use of finance as a foreign policy tool in support of security interests such as
resolving conflict or influencing decision making.
IAFF 6186 15 32274 The Chinese Military- This course focuses on the military component of China's comprehensive national
power, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). We begin with an overview of Chinese national
security objectives, the role of military forces in securing those objectives, the missions Chinese leaders
assign the PLA, and the military operational capabilities Chinese leaders view as necessary to accomplish
those missions. Next we take a quick tour of the history of the PLA, with emphasis on the decades since
the start of China’s reform era in 1979 and the ongoing effort to generate military capabilities
commensurate with China’s ambitions as a rising global power. We then examine the PLA in more detail,
including organization, force structure, operational capabilities, specific missions, modernization
objectives, the PLA’s role in national security policy-making, and relations between military officers and
civilian authorities. We will take a brief look at the other components of China’s armed forces and security
services, and close with an examination of alternative futures for Chinese military power.

IAFF 6186 16 31971 Strategic Planning for the 21st Century- This course aims to consider the importance of US
government strategic national security planning, including having a grand national strategy and strategic
planning that flows from it, and to provide background and analytical skills on process and content. We will
consider strategic planning from a conceptual and practical point of view. The course will offer a variety
of possible alternatives for grand national strategy in the early 21st century, providing different lenses
through which to view strategic planning and the choices that ensue. Historical and current situations will
add to the richness of reading and discussion about strategic planning. We will also compare government
strategic planning with practices in the wider business environment.
IAFF 6186 17 33100 International Organized Crime- International Organized Crime (IOC) focuses on developing broad
critical skills and knowledge around IOC and the aspects and issues that intersect with the topic.
Transnational crime will be a defining issue of the 21st century for policymakers - as defining as the Cold
War was for the 20th century and colonialism was for the 19th. Certain portions of what we will discuss and
encounter are rich enough to warrant a dedicated course – such as illicit trafficking, money laundering, or
corruption. In addition to methodologies, we will examine a variety of international organized criminal
groups and their illicit activities. This survey will provide a solid basis for further, more in-depth study of
these attributes, functions and entities. It will consist of academic writings, broad overview lectures, specific
student presentations and contemporary readings of the issues we are studying.
IAFF 6186 18 35956 Countering Violent Extremism- This course focuses on government and non-government efforts to
prevent and counter violent extremism. It provides students with an introduction to the nascent academic
literature to chart the evolution of CVE over the past decade or so. It also offers an opportunity to critically
examine and discuss domestic and international policies and programs that aim to prevent and counter
violent extremism. The course will be useful for anyone with an interest in counterterrorism, preventing
violent conflict as well as a wide array of disciplines and issues including diplomacy, development
assistance, criminology, psychology, sociology and political science. The course will connect theory to
practice through discussion, research and case study reviews of real events.
IAFF 6186 19 32838 Military Power & Effectiveness- This course explores what makes the militaries of some states highly
proficient fighting machines, whereas others seemingly cannot execute the simplest tasks. The main part
of the course assesses the theoretical and empirical literature, classifying how various works define military
effectiveness, what levels of analysis they address, and how well they explain effectiveness. We will devote
most of our attention to conventional military operations, but at the end of the course we will also consider
counterinsurgency and the effectiveness of rebel organizations.
IAFF 6186 20 32171 Stabilization & Peacebuilding- The classic interstate conflicts of the past have been largely replaced by
intra-state and regional conflicts involving both state and non-state actors. States and regions beset by
political and economic instability provide fertile ground for nationalist, sectarian and ethnic conflict, and
terrorism and organized criminal activities. In addition, the inability of many of these fragile and weak
states to confront natural and man-made disasters, the effects of climate change, pandemic disease and
worldwide economic shocks adds further stresses that can exacerbate conflict. This course will examine
the lessons from these missions covering general principles and approaches that can be applied for
stabilization and peacebuilding, required resources, the structures that have been organized to mount
such operations, the gaps that remain, and the knowledge and skills the new peacebuilder needs to
operate in these environments.
IAFF 6186 21 36173 Nuclear Strategy- This course is an advanced introduction to nuclear security, focused on questions of
nuclear strategy and the role of nuclear weapons in world politics. Part I introduces major concepts and
controversies in the study of nuclear security, including the causes of proliferation, questions of nuclear
deterrence and compellence, the role of nuclear weapons in strategy, and debates about the effects of
the nuclear balance. Part II delves into the historical episodes that have motivated and complicated these
questions, starting with America’s atomic monopoly in World War II and then moving to the age of
nuclear parity and the arms race with the Soviet Union. Superpower nuclear strategy, nuclear crises,
arms control, missile defense, and concerns about nuclear escalation are all addressed, along with the
rise of regional nuclear powers such as Israel, India, and Pakistan. Part III leverages the theories and
empirical evidence from the first two parts of the course to explore contemporary topics in nuclear
security. These include debates about the future of the U.S. nuclear posture and U.S. nuclear strategy
toward China, North Korea, Iran, and potential non-state nuclear actors.
IAFF 6186 22 36404 Foreign Fighters- Foreign fighters have been a growing international security concern of the twenty-first
century. Al Qaeda and then ISIS have had major impacts on geopolitics through the conduct of
insurgencies and the potential for returnees to engage in terrorist attacks. This course provides an in-depth
look at foreign fighters and policy responses to them. It focuses on jihadi militants but examines
transnational volunteers for other religious, ethnic and ideological causes as well. We examine competing
perspectives on radicalization and the role of the internet, gender, and the likelihood of “boomerang”
attacks by former foreign fighters. The course concludes by examining national and international responses
to foreign fighters and assessing which approaches are most likely to be effective.
IAFF 6186 23 37712 Counterterrorism- This course will focus on the broad range of responses to terrorism by governments,
particularly in the area of policy and strategy. It includes a pragmatic component of case studies and
hypotheticals to understand the "Counterterrorism (C/T) toolbox". The course is divided into several
sections designed to delineate between individual and tactical responses to terrorism and broader
strategies. These will include an examination of the use of drones (targeted killings), the use of intelligence
in C/T efforts, US C/T strategy since 9/11, the impact of C/T on the law, the use of diplomacy and foreign
aid, and C/T policies practiced by other governments, including France. Additionally, we will look at the
most recent terrorist events to determine the applicability of existing strategies or the need to "retool" to
adapt to agile terrorist threats.
IAFF 6186 24 37713 Terrorism Today (ONLINE) - This course will examine the fundamentals of understanding the threat
posed by terrorism, the basics of counterterrorism, and look at several key issues important to the study of
terrorism. The approach of this course is multi-disciplinary, examining terrorism through the lens of political
science, history, law, economics, criminology, and religious studies. The course is designed to provide a
basis for understanding the phenomenon of terrorism, and to set it into an appropriate context in relation
to other critical issues facing a globalized society.
IAFF 6198 10 32789 Advanced Quantitative Analysis- This course will teach the skills needed to understand and
implement many advanced quantitative methods commonly used in the social sciences. The course then
provides a foundation in simple regression analysis as well as multiple regression analysis, the main
toolkit used by many empirical professionals. The course rapidly advances to more complex methods in
econometrics and statistics, with topics such as panel data and instrumental variables. This is an applied
course; thus, we will spend half of the time learning the theory, and the other half on applications using
STATA, which is available on campus in the library and computer labs on-campus.
IAFF 6198 11 37714 International Entrepreneurship- This course introduces the student to innovative international
business start-ups. It aims at understanding the Entrepreneur’s features, forms and functions. Students
examine real-life cases and deepen their own understanding of the entrepreneurial business as a vocation.
This seminar focuses on developing new international business start-ups to capture new markets. This
seminar should also enhance business alertness gained from improving productivity, innovation, or both.
New clusters of creative discoveries, new disruptive technologies, competition and globalization induce
firms and entrepreneurs to innovate and to stay agile. We confront theory with practice. Students learn the
promotion, innovation and growth of start-ups to become excellent entrepreneurs. Topics include business
innovation, information technology, knowledge management, process improvement and key performance
measurements.
IAFF 6198 13 Development & Trade Policy in LDCs- The aim of this course is to understand why developing
countries do not enact growth-promoting trade policies. We examine what trade policy in emerging
economies looks like in practice, and how these policies evolve from and affect economic development
interests. This course is divided into three parts. The first part (re)introduces basic concepts in
development economics and how they shape economic growth, specifically in emerging economies. The
second part introduces country case studies – from Africa and South Asia – where we examine existing
economic and political structures, as well as the private and public sector trade interests in those regions.
The third part will compare those trade interests to actual practice. In short, we will derive ideal economic-
growth oriented trade policies for those countries and compare them with what they look like in practice,
and finally try to understand the causes and development consequences of the differences.
IAFF 6208 80 34160 Communication in Modern Diplomacy- This course examines the expanding public dimension of
diplomacy. It builds on growing global interest in public diplomacy and trends in the 21st century’s
diplomatic environment. We will explore how diplomats and political leaders communicate in a world of
rapid globalization, new diplomatic actors, complex policy issues, digital technologies, increased risk, and
uncertain boundaries between foreign and domestic. This special topics seminar is designed to help public
diplomacy concentrators deepen their knowledge and meet the interdisciplinary interests of students in
global communication, international relations, and media studies.
IAFF 6211 10 37541 MIPP Seminar & Practicum - The MIPP seminar will focus on major issues in international affairs
confronting policymakers in the United States and around the world, and it will explore the evolving
nature of international leadership in the twenty-first century. We will examine the diverse ways in which
power is exercised on the international stage not only by large organizations such as nation states and
transnational corporations, but also by “micro-powers” including activists, insurgents, and entrepreneurs
who are shaking up the global order. Through discussions with academic and policy experts, the seminar
intends to integrate insights from the participants’ other coursework as well as the participants’ own
diverse experience and knowledge.
IAFF 6302 10 37542 Taiwan: Internal Development & Foreign Policy- China’s rise, U.S. engagement in Asia, and
democratic change in Taiwan have made Taiwan a focal point of contemporary U.S. and international
policy consideration. More than a decade of repeated crises in cross strait relations was followed by
dramatic improvement 2008-2016, which stalled in the face of domestic opposition in Taiwan and firm
resolve in Beijing. This course focuses on political, economic, social, and intellectual trends on Taiwan,
how they affect Taiwan's standing in the triangular Taiwan-China-U.S. relationship, and what this means
for China, the United States, and international affairs. The first part of the course surveys Taiwan's
history with an emphasis on political, economic, social and cultural trends since World War II. The
course then discusses the evolution of Taiwan's role in world affairs, with special emphasis on the
triangular relationship among Taiwan, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the United States.
IAFF 6308 10 35860 International Relations of South Asia- India’s rise and South Asia’s transformation into a globalizing
and dynamic region is occurring alongside strong pressures and threats from cross-border identity
conflicts, terrorism, nuclear weapons and problematic domestic governance structures. Against this
mixed context, this course will analytically consider the national security calculations and foreign policy
perspectives of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, and their impact regionally and
beyond, including increasing uncertainty in India-China relations and growing competition in the Indian
Ocean. The course will look closely at insecurities arising from ethnic conflict, contested boundaries,
nuclear weapons proliferation, weak internal socio-political structures, resource dependence and
vulnerability and state ambitions. Special attention will be given to the shifting Asian balance of power,
stretching from Central Asia and Iran to East Asia, in which India and China are critical players.
IAFF 6318 80 35182 Law of the People’s Republic of China- This course provides an introduction to the basic institutions
and processes of the legal system of the People’s Republic of China. It will focus on the contemporary
system and its role in political, economic, and social developments in China.
IAFF 6338 80 33034 Ukraine & Georgia between Russia & the West - The current Russo‐Ukrainian crisis has regional
and global ramifications, as did the 2008 Russo‐Georgian War. The course examines these conflicts and
places them in the wider context of Russian‐Western relations, relations between Russia and its neighbors,
and the relations between the West and Ukraine and Georgia. The policies of the relevant parties are
analyzed against the backdrop of processes and issues such as NATO and EU enlargement, the “post‐
Soviet” countries’ aspirations to define their national identities and roles in a wider European security
order, Russia’s changing foreign policy, energy security, and domestic politics. The course combines a
historical perspective with application of International Relations theory on issues such as national security
decision making.
IAFF 6338 81 32672 European Union Foreign Relations - This course examines the international relations of the European
Union and its Member States, including foreign, security, economic and related policies. The course is a
seminar, though there will be lectures as well. In addition to imparting knowledge about EU foreign
relations, the course aims to improve analytical, writing and presentational skills through the preparation
of a 25-page research paper, brief written assignments and an oral briefing. Students will analyze
international diplomatic, security, economic and related policies of the EU and Member States; critically
evaluate literature on these topics; formulate policy recommendations; conduct research systematically;
utilize hypothesis-testing guidelines and write clearly.
IAFF 6338 82 34186 Nationalism in Russia & Eurasia- Is the Ukrainian crisis only the tip of the iceberg of re-
nationalisms in the Russian-Eurasian space? This class will discuss identity politics and nation-building in
the former Soviet world. It will examine the Soviet legacy in the present-day shaping of national
identities, the region’s current citizenship policies and nationhood ideologies, the different ethnic
conflicts impacting the region, and the birth of de facto states. It will then explore the specificities of re-
emerging nationalisms and of ideologies designed to consolidate nationhood in Russia, Ukraine, the
Baltic region, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
IAFF 6338 83 31954 Security in Russia & Eurasia - This course is a seminar on regional security issues in post-Soviet
Eurasia, with a focus on the relationships between three sets of interactions: between Russia and other
post-Soviet states; Russia and external actors; and other post-Soviet states and external actors. The
course will explore the evolution of political and security relations and institutions in the post-Soviet space
in interaction with broader global and Eurasian security developments. The course is structured
thematically and addresses: Russian and Eurasian security contexts; regional security organizations;
regional conflicts and international interventions, including the Ukraine crisis; Islamist extremism; energy
security; China and the Far East; and arms control and missile defense.
IAFF 6358 13 34916 Security in the Americas- The nations of North America, Central America, South America, and the
Caribbean, spanning from Canada to the tip of Chile, are home to massive resource deposits, some of the
world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, and numerous hubs of innovation and growth. Nonetheless,
the Americas remain dogged by some of the highest homicide rates and inequality levels in the world.
Whether as a result of narcotraffickers dueling for turf on the US-Mexico border or gangs extorting small
businesses in El Salvador, public security has become the number one concern of the region’s citizens
and—as the region closest to the US—tremendous cause for concern for policymakers from Washington to
El Paso. This course will explore the origins of today’s high levels of crime and violence, its role in and
impact on societies, a review of U.S. security assistance efforts, prospects for enduring policies to provide
durable solutions, and an exploration of the future threat environment.
IAFF 6358 80 35865 History & Praxis of US-Mexico Relations- This course examines the current drivers of the US-Mexico
relationship and uses concrete issues and recent junctures to understand both the policy and decision-
making processes as well as the outcomes. It provides students with a holistic understanding of the
multifaceted agenda that makes this relationship so unique for US foreign and domestic policy, including
trade and the economy, national security and law-enforcement, energy, migrant flows, border
infrastructure, sustainability and water resources, demographics, public diplomacy and Soft Power. The
course also places the US-Mexico relationship in a larger geostrategic context - North American,
hemispheric and global. This is not a "history of US-Mexico relations" course, though some readings on key
defining moments will be required for context. The course will entail issue-driven policy simulation
exercises throughout the semester in order to ensure that students understand both the issues and the
praxis of this vastly complex relationship.
IAFF 6358 81 35890 Economic & Social Development of Latin America- This course takes a historical and comparative
view to the economic and social evolution of Latin America and the Caribbean, and discusses the main
interpretations about that evolution, in the context of global developments and in comparison to other
developing regions. The course will briefly discuss the colonial roots and independence, the period of
growth in the second half of the 19th century, and the difficult decades of the first half of the 20th century
marked by two world wars and the Great Depression. The main focus however, will be on the post WWII
period, going through the period of import substitution and the Alliance for Progress, the shocks of the
1970s, the 1980s debt crisis, the more market-oriented and democratic period that started in the 1990s,
and the new and uncertain phase that opened after the financial crisis of 2009. The course will also look at
different public policies related to productive, macroeconomic, social, and institutional aspects.
IAFF 6358 82 35889 Brazil in the Global Arena - Brazil’s emergence on the global scene has changed the world’s perceptions
and expectations regarding the giant South American nation. The course will start with a review of Brazil’s
five hundred year history and economic development. Students will explore the domestic and international
implications of Brazil’s rise and its interactions with the rest of the world, focusing particularly on the period
of national renewal started in 1985 with the reinstatement of democracy. Students will examine Brazil’s
relations with the United States and its regional neighbors, as well as with the BRICS and Africa. They will
also explore the domestic realities relevant to the country’s emergence: violence, political corruption,
excessive red tape and legal insecurity; deficits in education, infrastructure and competitiveness; Brazil’s
continued struggle to reduce poverty and inequality, still among the world’s highest, despite recent
progress; implications of Brazil’s new status as a leader on climate change, energy, food security and
global health.
IAFF 6358 83 37543 Argentina in the Global Context- This course examines the politics of Argentina over the last 150
years. Focusing on its democratic system, it analyzes the country’s main features including European
immigration, Peronism, military coups, dictatorships, economic instability, populism, urban guerrillas,
state terror, human rights and gender policies. Argentina was ranked amongst the richest in the world at
the start of the 20th century, but never recovered from the economic and political decline that started in
the 1930’s. The story is so unique that Simon Kuznets famously stated that “there are four types of
countries: developed, undeveloped, Japan and Argentina”. A country of many paradoxes, Argentina's
turbulent past is placed in this class within the regional and global context.
IAFF 6358 84 37533 International Human Rights: then UN, Europe, and Americas- The UN and
regional human rights systems are the result of separate political and diplomatic processes.
This course will review the evolution of the UN, European, and Inter-American human rights systems and
explore how the broad movement to protect human rights laid the groundwork for increasing
international involvement in what were formerly considered the internal affairs of states. The course will
examine how the principles of sovereignty and non-intervention evolved in this context of protection
of human rights and how this in turn paved the way for more recent international involvement in issues of
democratic governance. The course will also provide an overview of these three systems today, including
their respective legal instruments and procedures, and their differences, and will analyze the current
status of human rights in international relations.
IAFF 6364 10 32380 Religion & Society in the Middle East - After the cascade of revolts and protests in the Middle East
which has become widely known as the Arab Spring, religion has emerged as a key component in
everyday debates and discourse. This course explores the role of religion in the Middle Eastern societies.
It examines different manifestations of religion in everyday life. Specifically, it unpacks the entangled
relationship between religion and society, religion and politics, religion and democracy, etc. in the Middle
East and explore its impact on Muslims’ daily life. The course covers thematic topics related to Islam such
as the state, Sharia, violence, etc. as well as case studies and countries. It also examines the multifaceted
phenomenon of political Islam and how to understand and critically analyze its dynamics, processes,
tactics, and transformations, etc. The course also explores the impact of the recent Arab Uprisings on
Islamist movements and whether they were affected and to what extent.
IAFF 6378 10 34214 Arabic for International Affairs – This course is designed to enable students of international affairs to
pursue successful careers in the Foreign Service, government, private or international agencies, as well as
in fields such as politics, economics, media, business and finance. The course is designed to help
students develop their communicative abilities and expand knowledge about Arabic for international
affairs, customs, traditions and ways of life, to the extent that they will be able to perform tasks that a
native speaker carries out in formal and informal situations. This course is for students at the high-
Intermediate level and focuses on conversation skills, speaking, listening, writing, reading
comprehension, continued vocabulary acquisition and terminology related to international affairs.
IAFF 6378 11 31979 Lebanon & Syria- This course explores the inextricable link between Syria and Lebanon – from the time
these territories were part of the Ottoman Empire until the present. In the process, the course focuses on
the different political and economic trajectories the two states followed upon gaining independence from
France; the domestic and external sources of their respective foreign policies; Lebanon’s slide towards civil
war in 1975 and Syria’s intervention to end it; the politics of Syria’s domination of Lebanon and,
ultimately, Syria’s withdrawal from the latter; and, finally, the civil war in Syria and its impact on Lebanon.
IAFF 6378 16 35233 US Foreign Policy in the Middle East- The Course focus is on U.S. policy towards the Middle East. It
will begin with an inventory of U.S. foreign policy basic principles and bureaucratic tools. It will then
survey the Middle East as a whole, to identify commonalities of importance to American policy makers. It
will then focus on individual countries of importance (Israel, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and
Turkey), and critical issues (Islam, Terrorism, the Arab Spring, Use of Force). Given the dramatic events
over the past years in the Middle East, and the focus of the Trump Administration on certain specific
aspects of that region this course has been updated to focus more on U.S. policies towards Iran and Syria.
The strong concentration on Iraq and ISIS will continue as that will apparently be an Administration
priority.
IAFF 6378 37715 17 Refugees and Displaced Peoples in the Middle East- The UNHCR Refugee Agency estimates that
there is nearly 22.5 Million refugees in the world and 55% of them come from Africa and Middle East.
Also, there are now twice as many internally displaced people (IDPs) as there are refugees. Migration
and displacement are far more complex and within this context, the course will explore factors underlying
migration of peoples, the current trends and patterns of human movement in the greater context of
global migrations, and in view of the influences of on-going conflicts, violence, and environmental
disasters to list just few. The course will focus on the refugee and the IDP communities in the Middle
East and North Africa (MENA) region. Through case studies, analysis and reflection, the course will
engage students in examining the sheer scope of this crisis, analyzing the causes and consequences of
displacement, the roots and underlying issues of injustice that impact refugee and IDP communities
including vulnerable populations. In addition to investigating the profound implications when it comes to
preventing, responding to and resolving displacement; and how the steady increase in displaced
populations influence regional and world politics, and how resettlement became a contentious debate
among the regional and international community alike. Students will also explore the general background
on UN and other international agencies and organizations, regional human rights bodies, and in-country
agencies involved with IDPs and refugees in light of the legal frameworks and policies that are designed
to protect refugee and IDP populations.
IAFF 6378 18 35277 Turkish Politics & Society - The primary objective of the course is to enable the students to
understand and analyze the diversities and vicissitudes of political life, institutions and processes in
Turkey within a historical framework. By following current developments in Turkey on a daily basis, the
students will be able to compare and contrast past and current dynamics and see the changes and
continuities in Turkish politics. OMER TAPSINAR
IAFF 6378 19 37716 Everyday Politics of Water in the Middle East- Anthropologists tend to study water as a “total social
fact”, through which all kinds of institutions are given expression at one and the same time—religious,
juridical, and moral, which relate to both politics and the family. This course examines contemporary
water issues in the MENA and beyond, through a range of conceptual frameworks from political ecology,
social and technology studies and law to explore ontologies of water use, hydraulic infrastructures,
modes of water governance, the production of scarcity, water rights, movements and protests, and water
justice. Ethnography allows us to perceive how the everyday, complex relations of water users, pipelines,
private companies, technicians, climatic fluctuations, ministers and NGOs and upstream countries may be
intertwined at different temporal and spatial scales. We will explore examples traversing international
politics, economics, law and development, and we will turn to examples from outside the MENA region.
IAFF 6378 15 33085 Oil: Industry, Economy, Society- Petroleum is one of the fastest-growing industries in the USA, and
affects the fortunes of companies and nations. Most of the largest firms in the world are in petroleum.
This course takes a multidisciplinary approach (primarily political economy and management) to oil and its
effects on business, nation-states, and the world economy. The first half of the course adopts a top-down
viewpoint, examining the global oil environment. The second half is more bottom-up, using cases to
grapple with industry issues. The course is conducted in a mixture of seminar and lecture formats. A
group proposal, paper, and presentation, as well as active class participation are expected, and constitute
over half the assessment.
IAFF 6501 10 32002 Quantitative Analysis International Affairs Practicum – This course is designed to provide a strong
11 32088 analytical foundation in elementary statistical reasoning and techniques, and the skills necessary to
understand, evaluate, and critic, claims, and conventional wisdom and popular opinion. Topics include
12 33101 descriptive statistics; sampling and statistical inference; testing for differences between means;
13 33358 techniques for analyzing categorical data; correlation, and measures of association; summarizing and
presenting statistical results; and some of the fundamental issues of research study design. The course is
rigorous, but does not require an advanced mathematic background. Class time will be a mix of lecture,
discussion, and hands-on computer work. Class attendance is essential.
IAFF 6502 10 32000 Cross Cultural Communications - The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively across
cultures has become both more critical and more difficult in today’s global environment. The focus of the
course will be development of cross-cultural communications/awareness, management, and negotiation
skills. National, regional and universal levels of culture and communications will be explored. Course
methodologies will include case studies, videos, simulation, and assessment instruments relative to
communicating and working in multicultural settings. The course also uses a comparativist approach to
flesh out the significance and implications of cultural underpinnings, factors, and variables necessary for
successful communication between cultures and individuals in an increasingly globalized world.
IAFF 6502 12 31935 Public Speaking - Many aspects of daily life involve public speaking. Whether you are giving a toast at a
social event or making a presentation before a professional audience, good public speaking skills are
important, and can help you to make the right impression and further your career. This course will provide
students the opportunity to learn (1) how to structure and organize a speech, (2) the elements of proper
delivery, (3) the various speech types, (4) how to use visual aids, (5) how to encourage audience
participation, and (6) how to identify topics. Students will present several speeches on different topics.
IAFF 6502 14 31937 Financial Statement Analysis - This course will provide an introduction to the analysis and
interpretation of corporate financial statements. Emphasis will be given to placing financial information
and its analysis within an actual market context. Students will learn basic financial analysis tools and apply
them on real world examples. Special attention will be given to the analysis of multinational corporations
and the financial performance of businesses in an international context.
IAFF 6502 16 33898 Protocol in Diplomacy & International Business - Students will examine the role and importance of
protocol in the conduct of diplomacy, international business dealings, and other transactions involving
international and multicultural participants.
IAFF 6502 17 32424 Formal Briefing – This course explores the why, what, and how of creating and presenting information
22 32791 to an audience. It will start with why briefings are an important mode of expression, and why storytelling
is the single most important consideration in conceptual design.
IAFF 6503 11 32272
IAFF 6502 18 33720 Restorative Justice- How a society responds to wrongdoing is critical to people’s perceived sense of
security, belonging and justice. The state’s legal system plays an important role in establishing the rule of
law and maintaining popular confidence in its ability to manage transgressions. However, in many parts of
the world as in the U.S., the justice system is not always designed to adequately contribute to healing or
peace but instead deepens societal divides and conflict. Restorative justice is an attempt to address some
of these gaps.
IAFF 6502 19 37490 Advocating for Women’s Rights- This skills class will equip students with the building blocks for
conducting successful advocacy efforts on global women’s issues. It will foster an understanding of
different elements of an advocacy campaign, from grassroots mobilization to direct engagement of
policymakers through individual, celebrity and coalition advocacy. It will build students’ skills in various
tactics such as identifying the elements of “the ask,” crafting successful messages, building and managing
coalitions, conducting power analysis, crafting the “elevator pitch,” and tailoring messaging for media.
Finally, it will examine successful case studies of gender-responsive foreign policy from the perspective of
advocates and policymakers alike.
IAFF 6502 20 31939 Negotiation Skills - This course is designed to enhance the participants’ negotiation and leadership
25 33442 skills for managing differences between individuals and groups. Class members will learn how to
handle two and multiparty negotiations, and analyze the importance of empathy and creative option
IAFF 6503 15 32215 design. The course will be a blend of skill building exercises and discussions about the behavior of
21 32001 individuals to understand the negotiation dynamics.
IAFF 6502 24 33533 Project Management & Evaluation for Security - This seminar will introduce students to a
practical approach to project management including key areas of competency, skills, techniques and
tools used throughout the project management lifecycle: initiate, plan, execute, monitor/control and
close-out. In addition, we will build a common understanding of the principles, practices and
methodologies of project management and share best practices related to it. Drawing upon case
studies of project examples focused on national security, the course will give students a foundation for
which to structure a range of projects so that it can be feasibly delivered on time, within budget and
with the promised outcomes.
IAFF 6502 26 33989 Research Design for International Affairs - This course introduces students to a step-by-step
approach to evaluating, producing and managing policy-relevant research in international affairs.
Students learn and practice key skills, such as how to survey existing knowledge, formulate research
questions, choose analytical methods, and organize research plans to produce rigorous and persuasive
analysis. When deployed as part of a systematic approach, these skills help students produce quality
papers and complete superior capstone projects or theses. By the end of the course, students will
demonstrate a grasp of the research process by delivering the introduction to a research paper or
proposal for a research project.
IAFF 6502 28 35167 Alternative Analysis: Red Team - Members of both the 9/11 Commission and the WMD Commission
IAFF 6503 12 33360 expressed concerns that the U.S. intelligence community lacks imagination, does not "think outside the
box," or challenge prevailing assumptions when analyzing threats to national security. Alternative
20 33134 analysis—often referred to as "red cell" or "red team”—uses various analytical methodologies to provide
a more complete picture of issues than traditional analysis alone. Students will also be introduced to
various methods or war gaming formats in which red teaming is applied. Students will be required to
apply a variety of techniques used in red teaming and participate in a multi-sided war game.
IAFF 6503 10 31940 Mobile Phones for International Development – The mobile phone is rapidly bringing
communication to the most remote areas of the world. NGOs, governments and companies alike are
beginning to realize the potential of this ubiquitous tool to address social challenges. This course will
explore successful applications that facilitate economic transactions, support public health campaigns and
connect learners to educational content. It will also critically engage with issues of equity, privacy and
access. Participants can expect a dynamic and practical learning environment with a number of real-world
examples and case studies.
IAFF 6503 13 31941 Leadership Vision & Strategy - Leaders in government, the private sector, and the non-profit sector
must be able to develop a compelling strategy that is understood by managers and employers. They will
be most successful if they can articulate a vision for staff and clients to embrace. The goal of this course is
to provide you with some knowledge and tools to devise and implement your own smart visions and
strategies at any level. The basis is how leaders determine their vision and then communicate and execute
the vision, using their leadership skills.
IAFF 6503 14 32273 Leadership & Teamwork - This course explores the dynamics of teambuilding, communication, and
16 33199 leadership that will increase managerial effectiveness. Topics include: communication and conflict,
decision-making and problem-solving, teams vs. groups, group dynamics, consensus, team building and
leadership. Students participate in experiential exercises that provide them with the opportunity to learn
critical skills needed to improve teamwork and be effective organizational members.
IAFF 6503 18 31942 Conflict & Corruption: The Resource Curse - This is an advocacy-focused skills class where we use the
case study of the "resource curse" as an entry point to learning and practicing how to develop and deliver a policy
advocacy strategy. The “resource curse” is a widely accepted phenomenon; countries rich in natural resources are
more prone to conflict and corruption than their resource-poor neighbors. This course will first explore the theory
behind the “curse”, will examine case studies, and will tackle the policy implications of the resource curse for the
US policymaker community. This is a skills course, not an effort to cover the comprehensive scholarship on the
resource curse or its economic or national security implications.
IAFF 6503 19 33935 Structured Analytic Techniques - This course introduces students to qualitative structured analytic
techniques that they will be able to use across disciplines to help solve analytic problems. This course
shows students how to use these techniques to approach analytic challenges and produce useful,
insightful analysis. In numerous hands-on exercises, students practice specific skills to help them
overcome mindsets, organize information, diagnose problems, explore different ways of thinking, and
avoid surprise.
IAFF 6503 22 33541 Developing Effective Proposals - The course will provide students with the nuts and bolts of
developing the effective, winning proposal, including overview and management of the proposal
development process, including project design and field assessments, analyzing a procurement
opportunity, preparing a technical proposal and budget, developing a monitoring and evaluation plan, and
planning project staffing. The course will explore ways to work in partnership with local organizations,
stakeholders, and the project’s ultimate beneficiaries. Team work is an essential aspect of developing
successful proposals. Practitioners will gain a better understanding of ways to create better development
projects, anticipate challenges, work with a variety of stakeholders, and address challenges effectively.
IAFF 6503 23 33929 Analyzing International Economic Data - The course will use trade, investment, and other economic
data sources to examine international trade and economic topics including: trade in agricultural products
and other goods, U.S. trade in oil, international trade in services, activities of multinational companies,
international foreign direct investment, and GDP growth. Students will use economic statistics and tools
available on the web or from Gelman’s Online Library.
IAFF 6503 24 33899 Writing for Intelligence Professionals - Writing in the Intelligence Community differs considerably
from traditional academic submissions. Especially in the public sector in the early stages of your career,
you are “known by how well you write.” What y o u write also depends in large measure on the type of
information you are trying to impart and equally important – your audience. This course will focus on the
various types of writing you will likely encounter in the intelligence world. Writing requires practice and
this course will involve a series of short written assignments, plus in-class practical exercises covering the
types of written products routinely encountered in the intelligence community.
IAFF 6503 26 34376 Writing for International Policymakers - Clear, concise and persuasive analytic writing is an essential
skill for international affairs professionals. Effective analysis for policymakers succinctly assesses matters
in ways that provide information, context, and insight and makes useful recommendations. Key
characteristics include focus, relevance, brevity, and readability. This course will involve short written
assignments, as well as group discussions and peer critiques, aimed at developing the writing and analytic
skills necessary to support, inform, and influence policymakers and implement policy.
IAFF 6503 27 34386 Gender Advisor: Roles and Skills - This course will cover the various roles, responsibilities, and
necessary skills of a Gender Advisor in multilateral, bilateral, and international development organizations.
The course will provide a comprehensive overview of how the latest tools, resources, and practices
should be applied in development work. The course will translate the new and evolving set of policies on
gender integration/mainstreaming into meaningful practice to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
institutions and organizations seeking to promote peace, security and development through gender
mainstreaming of policies, programs, and projects in developing countries as well as leading organizations
to improve their internal gender equality.
IAFF 6503 28 37717 Analyzing US Foreign Assistance- Why does the U.S. give foreign assistance? How much does it
cost? What does the U.S. spend foreign assistance on? This course will explore these questions and
cover the way the federal budget process is supposed to work and the way it actually does work, with a
specific focus on the U.S. foreign assistance budget implemented by the U.S. Department of State and
U.S. Agency for International Development.
IAFF 6503 Communicating Global Issues- Media and communications savvy – knowing how to convey
compelling and targeted messages to key US audiences – is key to strengthening America’s leadership in
the world. This hands-on communications, media training and message development “PowerTalk”
workshop is designed to help students become more effective advocates and spokespeople with the
media, policymakers, engaged public and other key audiences. Learn the most effective communications
and media techniques, including: preparing a basic communications and advocacy strategy; developing
and delivering effective messages; preparing for media interviews and briefings; anticipating and
managing difficult questions and situations; using stories, visuals and facts for maximum effect; and
avoiding common pitfalls. Students will also explore the basics of how to amplify their message via social
media, influentials and other best practices.
IAFF 6515 10 31950 Graduate Internship in International Affairs - Limited to Elliott School M.A. degree candidates.
Internship and research paper involving experience at an international organization or with international
issues.
IAFF 6516 10 32969 Independent Study and Research - Faculty led independent study or faculty led research, must be
11 31951 approved by instructor before enrolling.

12 31952
IAFF 6998 10 33271 Thesis Research – Faculty-led thesis - Open to Elliott School M.A. candidates who have selected the thesis
IAFF 6999 10 33272 option.