Introduces ways that data and information have historically been constructed in different realms--from medicine to public health to computing--to shed light on the power relationships embedded in some of our present-day and near-future tools, systems, and economic relationships. Will use a historical lens, as well as methods from STS, to give an introduction to how data and power interact in people's lives.

Course provides foundat'l understanding of orgs&processes in US statecraft, directly from current practitioners across govt. Students explore how elements of nat'l power are brought to bear to further US interests & strategy. Students explore Dept of Defense, Dept of State, the Intelligence Community, US Agency for Internat'l Development, & the Nat'l Security Council & policymaking processes. Lectures, guest-speakers, & research projects aid in learning org.structure, cultures&practices.

This course will provide an overview of research methods and data analysis in public policy, integrating basic statistical modeling. The class will promote a critical understanding of what good research is, how people sometimes lie with statistics, and how flawed research can be identified, and an appreciation of the relationship between researchers and the rest of society, and how researchers can most suitably deal with the existence of skeptics

This course helps students develop digital skills for the modern workplace. Through a combination of lecture, discussion, and hands-on instruction, students will learn about foundational and emerging information technologies, organizational value of information technology, management of organizational data and processes, data-driven decision making, business intelligence and analytics, ethical and social issues related to information technology.

Leading in the public context requires an understanding of one's own & others' thoughts, feelings, & motivations; & tools for working toward mutually valued outcomes. Course uses behavioral science to develop this understanding & build a toolkit. Through exercises, lectures, discussion, readings, & projects, students will learn general behavioral principles that they can leverage to work toward valued communal goals within public institutions.

The Applied Policy Project (APP) is the capstone event of the MPP program, an independent analytical project for each student. Divided over two semesters, APP I provides students with the opportunity for a semester of research and information gathering in the policy field of the student's external client.

In this course students will learn how to create change in the public policy arena by understanding political actors, their interests, and the institutions they inhabit. Students will learn how issues move through the policy process, at which points they are most amenable to influence, and how to create and use professional work products to influence them.

Covers the fundamentals of probability theory & stochastic processes. Become conversant in the tools of probability. Clearly describe & implement concepts related to random variables, properties of probability, distributions, expectations, moments, transformations, model fit, basic inference, sampling distributions, discrete & continuous time Markov chains, & Brownian motion. Illustrate most topics with both analytic & computational solutions.

Course builds students' skills in "the art of getting things done". Students will establish the critical leadership & team-building competencies that distinguish highly effective leaders. We will introduce frameworks that will enhance student's: resilience; team leadership skills; capacity for thriving in times of adversity; emotional intelligence; interpersonal skills (including conflict resolution & negotiation skills) & decision making.

This course will provide a solid foundation of insights into how Congress works, essential for aspiring public policy advocates. Topics investigated include historical precedents for policymaking, the process of Congressional decision-making, and power dynamics in Congress. We will also identify and develop the leadership skills and tactics of successful advocates, placing recent controversies and public policy issues in an historical context.