Students typically enroll in two evening seminars and complete a full-time internship during the day.  Although more challenging to handle with a full-time internship commitment, some students may decide to enroll in three evening seminars.

All courses take place from 6:00-8:40 p.m.

Fall 2026 course schedules and descriptions

Please note that these schedules are tentative and subject to change. Syllabi are posted to the DC Program Blackboard as soon as they are available.

Course Schedules and descriptions

PAI 715 | China's Challenge to the Global Order: What Happens When the US Retreats | Robert Daly

Taught by Robert Daly, Director of the China Center, University of Maryland. Expert on Chinese language, media, and diplomacy.

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 708 | Issues in Public Diplomacy: How Words and Images Have Power | Nayyera Haq

Taught by Ryan Gliha, Minister-Counselor in the US Foreign Service. Expert in communications and Middle East policy.

In a fractured information landscape, this course provides a deep dive into the origins of information statecraft and explore case studies to provide a detailed understanding of the scope, sophistication, and significance of the geopolitics of information. Building on key theoretical models, including markets for loyalties, networks, and game theory, this course will provide an analytic framework for understanding the range of information statecraft activities, as well as the key variables likely to influence the success or failure of a public diplomacy campaign or program. Monitoring and evaluation techniques and best practices will also be covered, as well as the foundations of digital analytics and metrics. Classes will feature occasional guest speakers from the State Department, the Department of Defense, and the NGO community. At the end of the course, students will be subject matter experts on public diplomacy and global media strategy, the information statecraft toolkit, and the significance of these tools and tactics in international affairs.

PAI 700 | Economic Statecraft: When Economic Choices Become Foreign Policy | Danica Starks

Taught by Danica Starks, World Bank Executive. Expert on international business and multi-lateral negotiations.

As the crises in Ukraine, Iran, and Venezuela make clear, some national security challenges require the adept use of the tools of economic statecraft. This course examines the mechanisms, operations, and outcomes of these economic tools. The course focuses on tools designed to coerce change and those offered as incentives and positive inducements. Case studies may also address trade barriers and preferences, financial sanctions, export controls and investment restrictions, foreign lending, and development aid.

PAI 715 | Strategic Foresight for International Relations: Planning Outside the Rules Based Order| James-Christian Blockwood

Taught by James-Christian Blockwood, President and CEO, National Academy of Public Administration. Expert in public policy planning and institution building.

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 700 | Negotiating Through Global Change | Elisa Catalano Ewers

Taught by Elisa Catalano Ewers, former Middle East Advisor on Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Iran negotiator.

Every conflict ends in a negotiated settlement; it may not be peace, but it a political solution that allows parties to move forward. This course exposes students to business and policymaking concepts of negotiation, using case studies from recent history and examining current affairs. Students will apply the principles of negotiations in class through role-playing exercises and will meet with negotiators who have served in some of the world' s most intractable conflicts, including the Iran nuclear deal, Middle East peace process, and US-China-Taiwan relations.

For Maxwell Students Only:

PAI 715 | Internship | Lionel Johnson

Students can earn up to three credits working (usually unpaid) as an intern for an agency or organization that focuses on issues of global development or global security.

View Internship Evaluation Guidelines