The Maxwell in Washington faculty page can be seen here.
...
A core requirement for the EMIR degree, the Capstone requires EMIR students to complete substantive research projects while embedded in one of the thematic or regional programs at CSIS. Students work directly with CSIS experts on capstone projects designed to hone and showcase their capacity for both cogent analysis of real-world problems and effective policy communication. Students will craft actionable policy analysis and recommendations on a complex issue area as well as learn how to transform their policy analysis into an online project that communicates their results with clarity, creativity, and compelling multimedia storytelling. A final oral presentation and a written report to CSIS and the faculty advisor are the major course requirements.
Elective Courses
PAI 700 | Human Rights, National Security, and American Values
This master's seminar focuses on human rights challenges, considerations and realities across the globe as they intersect with American values and United States national security. The course examines human rights as a topic, including key documents, processes and stakeholders, in addition to the way human rights plays a role in foreign policy through both public and private sector decision-making. Specific topic areas covered will include human rights institutions and documents; new trends and considerations in human rights including technology and human rights; human rights in the context of both inter- and intra-state conflict; geopolitical competition and human rights; human rights and identity groups; business and human rights; and human rights as an element of U.S. foreign policy. Students will benefit from frequent guest lectures from across the Washington policymaking community and discussions with experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
PAI 700 | Foresight, Insight, and the Fiction of National Security
While old paradigms seem to be failing us in war and peace, the creative management of national security challenges are more important than ever. We require new approaches – not reading the same, old texts, or using the same, old methodologies and theories. It is primarily for this reason – the need for imaginative, strategic leaders – that this class uses fiction as the PSC 719 | Fundamentals of Post-Conflict Reconstruction (Maymester)
The goal of this class is to familiarize students with the main concepts of post conflict stabilization and reconstruction, the various dimensions and goals of post-conflict work, the actors involved, the trade-offs and dilemmas they face, and the lessons learned from recent cases. The course address many of the key issues that frame debates in post-conflict reconstruction work: the tension between externally and internally generated recovery efforts; the challenges of civilian-military cooperation in post-conflict zones; the trade-offs between stability and liberty; the possibilities and weaknesses of peace and reconciliation efforts; and the quest for viable exit strategies for international actors. It will also examine the applied side of post-conflict reconstruction; the techniques and tools used by international intermediaries (states, IOs and NGOs) as well as local stakeholders to help societies in transition from violence to sustainable peace.
PAI 700 | Human Rights, National Security, and American Values
This master's seminar focuses on human rights challenges, considerations and realities across the globe as they intersect with American values and United States national security. The course examines human rights as a topic, including key documents, processes and stakeholders, in addition to the way human rights plays a role in foreign policy through both public and private sector decision-making. Specific topic areas covered will include human rights institutions and documents; new trends and considerations in human rights including technology and human rights; human rights in the context of both inter- and intra-state conflict; geopolitical competition and human rights; human rights and identity groups; business and human rights; and human rights as an element of U.S. foreign policy. Students will benefit from frequent guest lectures from across the Washington policymaking community and discussions with experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
PAI 700 | Foresight, Insight, and the Fiction of National Security
While old paradigms seem to be failing us in war and peace, the creative management of national security challenges are more important than ever. We require new approaches – not reading the same, old texts, or using the same, old methodologies and theories. It is primarily for this reason – the need for imaginative, strategic leaders – that this class uses fiction as the launching point for discussion. As the 9/11 Commission noted in their report, “The most important failure was one of imagination.” Students in this course will use fiction as a springboard will hone several key student skills including creativity, the ability to better empathize with complex situations and potential opponents, understanding unfamiliar or strange cultures in order to consider unseen challenges and potential solutions and, grappling with ambiguity, contradictions, complexity, and ambivalence – entertaining for fiction but critical when considering the real world. Perhaps most importantly, students will hone their ability to ask the right questions – a prerequisite to finding least bad options, which is increasingly their job as they move into higher leadership positions. Finally, students will emerge from this course changed readers – better able to deconstruct (and reconstruct) text, think critically about what is read, and know when, and when not to, apply these frameworks.
...
This course will be an overview of security issues from African and global perspectives. The course will begin with a historical look at colonial powers in Africa, the dynamics colonial powers in Africa, the dynamics of the Cold War and how it shaped the wars of decolonization and the establishment of African liberation movements. The course will then address the fate of the post-colonial states and the emergence of US security assistance after the end of the Cold War and how it shaped the wars of decolonization and the establishment of African liberation movements. The course will then address the fate of the post-colonial states and the emergence of US security assistance after the end of the Cold War as well as the emergence of transnational threats in the region.
PAI 715 | China's Challenge to the Global Order
This master’s seminar focuses on contemporary challenges to the global order posed by China’s growing economic and political power. The course charts China’s reform and opening, its development and integration into the global economy, and the challenges created for Western economic and security institutions and alliances. Specific topic areas covered include China’s non-market status and trade conflict, competition for technological leadership, ICT governance and standard setting, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the implications of China’s South China Sea activity. The course will combine extensive background readings, lectures, and discussion. Students will benefit from frequent guest lectures and discussions with experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
PAI 715 | Climate Change, Security, and Global Development
This course will consider climate change as a “risk amplifier” and a national security challenge especially given its impact on food security, water access, and community displacement. Additionally, students will consider how great power competition and even the hard science of climate change may impact national security policy. Finally, students will examine how planetary changes require transforming the energy sector, redesigning our infrastructure, economic and political systems and how local, national, and international governance might respond to the profound changes ahead.
PAI 715 | From Fragility to Resilience: New Approaches to Global Development
While some countries move up the development ladder on the way to greater economic growth and stability, others struggle with cyclical fragility and the negative repercussions that come with it. The path from fragility to resilience is rarely linear, requiring a mix of security, stabilization, humanitarian aid, and development assistance. This course will look at causes of fragility and examine the non-kinetic tools deployed in fragile states, especially their utility and effectiveness in specific country and regional cases. Primarily discussion-based, the course will also include regular guest speakers who are regional experts and/or practitioners.
PAI 715 | The Frontier of Finance: Digital Currencies, Security, & Development
This course will focus on how the global financial revolution underway, the Fintech revolution, can help lead to sustained, inclusive and strong growth and enhance security, as elaborated in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The course will explore cutting edge themes at the intersection of finance, technology, policy, development, and security, as well as cross-border dimensions to include the challenges posed by Cryptocurrencies. It will not be narrowly focused on technology, and is appropriate for students pursuing development, economic and security fields.
PAI 715 | Politics, Power, and Global Sport
This seminar explores the intersections of sports, politics, and society in an international context. Combining examinations of contemporary topics and historical case studies, the course addresses the enduring and complex links between sport and major issues in global affairs including cultural diplomacy, nationalism, and human rights.
PAI 715 | Strategic Foresight for International Relations
This course will provide graduate students with a structured approach to thinking about the future of the international environment. It is a foundation in qualitative foresight methodologies with direct application to national or organizational strategic planning. It also provides a tour du horizon of the global trends shaping the world 10-20 years into the future and beyond. Through real-world case studies and classroom exercises, the course exposes students to the practical application of foresight methodologies to policymaking and resource decision-making. These methodologies are routinely used by strategic planners in leading global intelligence organizations, national security ministries, multinational corporations, and non-governmental organizations. Strategic foresight is an under-appreciated “hard” international relations skillset, particularly useful in navigating the profound global transitions underway that affect risk and competitiveness for countries, companies, and individuals.
PAI 715 | International Trade & Economic Negotiation
This course looks at a variety of different types of negotiations concerning economic issues, including multilateral trade and investment negotiations, bi- and pluri- lateral trade negotiations, and negotiations aimed at the settlement of specific disputes. We will discuss the influence of domestic politics, and the role of international organizations and non-governmental stakeholders such as NGOs, labor, multinational corporations, and domestic interest groups. The course is particularly useful for those considering careers in international trade, business, markets and finance.
PAI 730 | Central Challenges in National Security Law and Policy
Using case studies, this course examines critically the hardest U.S. national security law and policy challenges of the decades ahead. Cases range from decisions to intervene and what laws apply if the US intervenes in humanitarian crises, insurrections, or civil wars, and what laws should govern when we are involved; the Arab Spring; dealing with Iran and North Korea related to nuclear weapons; anticipating and controlling new technologies in warfare and surveillance; managing civil/military relations in protecting the homeland; countering the cyber threats to our infrastructure and cyber-attacks waged by nation states, such as China and Russia; managing public health as a national security issue; and resource depletion and global warming as a national security issue. Students will learn to integrate legal and policy analyses and will gain lessons in how policy is made and implemented with significant legal guidance.
PAI 771 | Public Management of Technological Development (3 credit January seminar)
This course provides a survey of major public policy influences on the formulation and implementation of commercial technology and innovation strategies including regulation, public financing, grants, and other support managed by public agencies. Students will consider drivers of productivity enhancement and improved service delivery as well as imperatives for innovation change as well as how public policy and public management practices can either facilitate or deter market incentives to achieve the objectives. For aspiring business managers and technical professionals in engineering or information systems, this course will provide a perspective of the applications of public policy and public management practices and will offer constructive avenues on how government actions on behalf of the public may be anticipated.
PSC 786 | Russian and Post-Soviet Politics
This course is a graduate-level survey of the major issues in contemporary politics in the post-Soviet region in general, and Russia in particular. The seminar will very briefly examine the pre-Soviet and Soviet period, but the primary focus of the course is on developments since 1991. Topics to be examined include the Soviet collapse and transition, the nature of Putinism as a political and economic system, and Russian foreign and security policy, including US-Russian relations and the Russo-Ukraine War. We will meet with multiple guests from the DC area community of Russia and Ukraine scholars and practitioners.
PAI 715 | The Emerging Challenge of Disruptive Technologies
This course will examine how disruptive technology may impact a nation’s approach toward its use of diplomacy, information, military, and economic power to advance national objectives. Students will investigate key concepts and impediments to the adoption of technology by organizations and individuals, make educated predictions regarding the role technology could play in competition in the international arena, and assess ethical factors involved in the use of technology, both old and new.
PAI 715: Congress and the Making of U.S. Foreign Policy
This course will examine the role that the United States Congress plays in the making of U.S. foreign policy whether as partners or adversaries with the White House and other Executive Branch agencies. Using historical and current case studies, this course will examine the sources and conduct as well as the actual process of making foreign policy to include addressing the political and bureaucratic dynamics shaping those decisions. Students will examine direct and indirect ways by which Congress impacts U.S. foreign policy action including the appointments clause, the approval of treaties, the authorization, and appropriations processes as well as through oversight and investigations. Students will examine current tensions and frictions between the branches and how that impacts the way the U.S. addresses contemporary challenges. The course will include short lectures, extensive seminar discussion, and will involve significant interaction with guest speakers who have experience addressing the issues raised during the courseas well as the emergence of transnational threats in the region.
PAI 715 | China's Challenge to the Global Order
This master’s seminar focuses on contemporary challenges to the global order posed by China’s growing economic and political power. The course charts China’s reform and opening, its development and integration into the global economy, and the challenges created for Western economic and security institutions and alliances. Specific topic areas covered include China’s non-market status and trade conflict, competition for technological leadership, ICT governance and standard setting, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the implications of China’s South China Sea activity. The course will combine extensive background readings, lectures, and discussion. Students will benefit from frequent guest lectures and discussions with experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
PAI 715 | Climate Change, Security, and Global Development
This course will consider climate change as a “risk amplifier” and a national security challenge especially given its impact on food security, water access, and community displacement. Additionally, students will consider how great power competition and even the hard science of climate change may impact national security policy. Finally, students will examine how planetary changes require transforming the energy sector, redesigning our infrastructure, economic and political systems and how local, national, and international governance might respond to the profound changes ahead.
PAI 715 | From Fragility to Resilience: New Approaches to Global Development
While some countries move up the development ladder on the way to greater economic growth and stability, others struggle with cyclical fragility and the negative repercussions that come with it. The path from fragility to resilience is rarely linear, requiring a mix of security, stabilization, humanitarian aid, and development assistance. This course will look at causes of fragility and examine the non-kinetic tools deployed in fragile states, especially their utility and effectiveness in specific country and regional cases. Primarily discussion-based, the course will also include regular guest speakers who are regional experts and/or practitioners.
PAI 715 | The Frontier of Finance: Digital Currencies, Security, & Development
This course will focus on how the global financial revolution underway, the Fintech revolution, can help lead to sustained, inclusive and strong growth and enhance security, as elaborated in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The course will explore cutting edge themes at the intersection of finance, technology, policy, development, and security, as well as cross-border dimensions to include the challenges posed by Cryptocurrencies. It will not be narrowly focused on technology, and is appropriate for students pursuing development, economic and security fields.
PAI 715 | Politics, Power, and Global Sport
This seminar explores the intersections of sports, politics, and society in an international context. Combining examinations of contemporary topics and historical case studies, the course addresses the enduring and complex links between sport and major issues in global affairs including cultural diplomacy, nationalism, and human rights.
PAI 715 | Strategic Foresight for International Relations
This course will provide graduate students with a structured approach to thinking about the future of the international environment. It is a foundation in qualitative foresight methodologies with direct application to national or organizational strategic planning. It also provides a tour du horizon of the global trends shaping the world 10-20 years into the future and beyond. Through real-world case studies and classroom exercises, the course exposes students to the practical application of foresight methodologies to policymaking and resource decision-making. These methodologies are routinely used by strategic planners in leading global intelligence organizations, national security ministries, multinational corporations, and non-governmental organizations. Strategic foresight is an under-appreciated “hard” international relations skillset, particularly useful in navigating the profound global transitions underway that affect risk and competitiveness for countries, companies, and individuals.
PAI 715 | International Trade & Economic Negotiation
This course looks at a variety of different types of negotiations concerning economic issues, including multilateral trade and investment negotiations, bi- and pluri- lateral trade negotiations, and negotiations aimed at the settlement of specific disputes. We will discuss the influence of domestic politics, and the role of international organizations and non-governmental stakeholders such as NGOs, labor, multinational corporations, and domestic interest groups. The course is particularly useful for those considering careers in international trade, business, markets and finance.
PAI 730 | Central Challenges in National Security Law and Policy
Using case studies, this course examines critically the hardest U.S. national security law and policy challenges of the decades ahead. Cases range from decisions to intervene and what laws apply if the US intervenes in humanitarian crises, insurrections, or civil wars, and what laws should govern when we are involved; the Arab Spring; dealing with Iran and North Korea related to nuclear weapons; anticipating and controlling new technologies in warfare and surveillance; managing civil/military relations in protecting the homeland; countering the cyber threats to our infrastructure and cyber-attacks waged by nation states, such as China and Russia; managing public health as a national security issue; and resource depletion and global warming as a national security issue. Students will learn to integrate legal and policy analyses and will gain lessons in how policy is made and implemented with significant legal guidance.
PAI 771 | Public Management of Technological Development (3 credit January seminar)
This course provides a survey of major public policy influences on the formulation and implementation of commercial technology and innovation strategies including regulation, public financing, grants, and other support managed by public agencies. Students will consider drivers of productivity enhancement and improved service delivery as well as imperatives for innovation change as well as how public policy and public management practices can either facilitate or deter market incentives to achieve the objectives. For aspiring business managers and technical professionals in engineering or information systems, this course will provide a perspective of the applications of public policy and public management practices and will offer constructive avenues on how government actions on behalf of the public may be anticipated.
PSC 786 | Russian and Post-Soviet Politics
This course is a graduate-level survey of the major issues in contemporary politics in the post-Soviet region in general, and Russia in particular. The seminar will very briefly examine the pre-Soviet and Soviet period, but the primary focus of the course is on developments since 1991. Topics to be examined include the Soviet collapse and transition, the nature of Putinism as a political and economic system, and Russian foreign and security policy, including US-Russian relations and the Russo-Ukraine War. We will meet with multiple guests from the DC area community of Russia and Ukraine scholars and practitioners.
PAI 715 | The Emerging Challenge of Disruptive Technologies
This course will examine how disruptive technology may impact a nation’s approach toward its use of diplomacy, information, military, and economic power to advance national objectives. Students will investigate key concepts and impediments to the adoption of technology by organizations and individuals, make educated predictions regarding the role technology could play in competition in the international arena, and assess ethical factors involved in the use of technology, both old and new.
PAI 715: Congress and the Making of U.S. Foreign Policy
This course will examine the role that the United States Congress plays in the making of U.S. foreign policy whether as partners or adversaries with the White House and other Executive Branch agencies. Using historical and current case studies, this course will examine the sources and conduct as well as the actual process of making foreign policy to include addressing the political and bureaucratic dynamics shaping those decisions. Students will examine direct and indirect ways by which Congress impacts U.S. foreign policy action including the appointments clause, the approval of treaties, the authorization, and appropriations processes as well as through oversight and investigations. Students will examine current tensions and frictions between the branches and how that impacts the way the U.S. addresses contemporary challenges. The course will include short lectures, extensive seminar discussion, and will involve significant interaction with guest speakers who have experience addressing the issues raised during the course.
PAI 715 |Space, Policy and National Security
Space, the final frontier of policy. From companies working with the military on space as a national security issue, to policymakers setting up new agencies and regulations to support their domestic space industry, space policy is a high-stakes global competition. This course surveys key national policy and organizational changes in the American and Chinese push for space dominance, while exploring how emerging space powers are navigating this competition. We will also discuss the globalization of space manufacturing and services, the constraints of the domestic industrial base, and the use of space technology for non-military purposes. The course examines these dynamics through case studies and offers a framework for evaluating spacepower in the Indo-Pacific.
PAI 715 | Tech Diplomacy
Explore the rising field of Tech Diplomacy in this cutting-edge graduate course that examines the growing influence of technology in global geopolitics. As cybersecurity threats and digital policy debates increasingly shape international relations, this course equips students with the tools to navigate and lead in this high-stakes arena. Students will develop subject matter expertise in AI, digital infrastructure, and the integrated tech stack that powers today’s global economy. Gain practical skills in public speaking, policy analysis, and strategic decision-making around tech-related investments and innovation ecosystems. Whether you’re aiming for a career in diplomacy, technology policy, or global strategy, this course provides the insight and experience to lead the future of tech diplomacy.
Hybrid / Online
PAI 738 | US Intelligence Community: Governance and Practice
...