Washington, D.C. Undergraduate Semester Courses and Schedules

Spring 2025 Course Schedule (tentative schedule)

IRP 401 | Global Policy Seminar | Fulton Armstrong 

(3 credits) This traveling, all-day weekly seminar on how U.S. foreign and national security policy is made and "How Washington Works" features guest speakers and visits to agencies and institutions such as Congress, the National Security Council, the State Department, various foreign embassies, think tanks, and NGOs.

IRP 402 | Global Policy Practicum | Fulton Armstrong

(3 credits) Integrated with IRP 401. Course description same as above.

IRP 403 | Global Issues: Narrative, Diplomacy, and War | Nayyera Haq

(3 credits) This class will use an interdisciplinary approach and current foreign policy case studies to dig into how narrative drives both media and policy. The tension between these two sectors plays out in the public sphere daily—when intrepid reporters provide insights into secret government programs or when foreign governments attempt to influence US domestic politics. Understanding how media and leaders use narrative and storytelling tools, both in theory and in practice, is essential for any global citizen to navigate the modern era. 

IRP 404 | Global Political Economy Issues | Christopher Casey 

(3 credits) An evening seminar on topics such as trade, energy, domestic economic interests, impacts of globalization, tradeoffs between economic and political priorities. Focus on the economic dimension of political/military issues and the politics of economic issues, guest speakers from international economic organizations and institutes in the nation's capital.

COM 300 | Democracy, Journalism, and Citizenship | Margaret Talev

This course provides students with the tools to understand the erosion of public trust in democratic governance and the media and the connections between the two, and a roadmap to earn and maximize their own credibility with the public. Using data, guest speakers, readings and individualized study, we’ll examine relationship between media coverage and the state of democracy — from elections to technology, sports, the military, race, gender, education and the workforce as well as the similarities and differences in the ethical pressures and codes that shape political candidates, public officials, journalists, non-news broadcasters and PR practitioners.

IRP 471 | Global Internship | Samantha Clemence

(variable 3-6 credits) An internship with a U.S. government office, international agency, non-governmental organization, or in the private sector. Students typically intern 20-30 hours a week.

For more information contact maxwellindc@maxwell.syr.edu.