Spring 2025 Course Schedule 

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.

COM 400 | The Psychology of Political Communication | Emily Sydnor

In 2020, almost half of surveyed Americans told the Pew Research Center that they had stopped talking to someone they knew about political news because of something they said. More recently, a majority of those Pew asked reported feeling exhausted and angry when they think about politics. In this class, we’ll explore the ways in which psychological processes influence political communication, as well as the ways that political events play into cognitive and emotional biases to persuade, motivate or discourage people. We will focus specifically on how psychology affects our ability to deliberate—to discuss politics with the intent to learn about others’ views or collaborate to generate policy solutions. Throughout each step of this investigation, we will also consider how knowledge is acquired—what type of research was conducted? How valid are the conclusions? In answering each of these questions within a political communication framework, we can evaluate the role of the “political brain” in shaping American democracy.

PAI 400 | Federal Policymaking Process (meets with PSC 400) | TBA

The U.S. Constitution establishes three branches of government: The executive (led by the President), the legislative (Congress), and the judicial (Supreme Court and other courts). Each branch has a particular role to play in the design and implementation of federal policies and programs. The ambiguity of the Constitution with regards to this “separation of powers,” is messy and creates friction and disagreement between the branches. Students will consider the roles the three branches play in the policymaking process through an examination of the processes set out by the Constitution and federal code as well as consider several case studies on issues such as Presidential power, education, healthcare, labor rights, treaties, trade, technology, and the use of military force.

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.

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. 

PAI 400 | Law, Policy, and National Security (meets with PSC 400) | TBA

Lawyers play numerous roles in policy processes and national security. The roles lawyers play extend well beyond the criminal justice system into policymaking, policy implementation, and policy evaluation, and national security. This course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the roles legal professionals play in public affairs and governance. Students will benefit from readings, guest speakers practicing in various sectors, and the analysis of cases that draw attention to the role of legal professionals in action.

PAI 400 | Domestic Federal Policy Seminar and Practicum (meets with PSC 400) | TBA

This combined six-credit domestic federal policy seminar and practicum – part of the 15-credit Maxwell-in-Washington Semester – explores U.S. and international influences on federal policy, available policy options, and how policies are made, implemented, evaluated, critiqued, and changed in Washington. The course also draws together students’ internships and evening courses. A “traveling” seminar during which the class meets with U.S. government officials, experts, and advocates, as well as business leaders, journalists, public opinion specialists, and other civil society professionals to discuss current national and global issues, the forces affecting federal U.S. domestic policy choices, and decision-making processes. It also introduces and practices the artforms used for developing policy options and communicating them in a Washington context, primarily information and policy memoranda. Site visits to various institutions involved directly and indirectly (e.g., government agencies, think tanks, non-profit organizations, and corporations) in federal U.S. domestic policymaking are included. Additionally, features a simulation of a U.S. federal policy review, in which students work topics through each stage of policy development – from research and analysis, to elaboration of options, to recommendation, through decision, and into implementation. The exercise involves small-team collaboration at each step of the way. Students define a domestic policy challenge; research and analyze it; develop and refine options for responding to it; and prepare the results for decision at the highest levels of the U.S. Government. The exercise helps students to visualize themselves as future policymakers, advocates, and communicators, and to appreciate the core professional skills needed for success in these areas.

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 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.