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Summer 2024

Policy Writing for a General Audience

Professor Lauren Camera

SPA-085/685-007
SPA-085-907

Dates (offered in-person)
June 8 & 9

Description
This course covers how to write clearly, concisely, and readably about policy and research for a broad audience of non-experts. Students learn how to write engagingly for a general audience and become familiar with different forms of communication -- fact sheets, white papers, op-eds, blog posts, speeches, and "explainers" -- used to communicate policy to the public.

Star Wars and Conflict Resolution: There Are Alternatives to Fighting

Professor Noam Ebner

SPA-085/685-001
SPA-085-901

Dates (offered in-person)
June 15 & 16

Description
This course introduces the nature and dynamics of conflict, as well as techniques and processes for its constructive resolution. Hands-on and interactive, the course explores conflict through prisms offered by the Star Wars saga with its endless instances of interpersonal and intergalactic conflict and resolution. Students will learn about conflict resolution in our own galaxy as well as in that other one far, far away while seeing Star Wars as never seen before. [Non- Star Wars fans are welcome!]

Information Security and the Risk Management Framework

Professor Mike D'Ambrosio

SPA-085/685-006
SPA-085/905

Dates��(offered in-person)
June 22 & 23

Description
The course would focus on providing an overview the Risk Management Framework and how it applies to implementing an information security plan.����This would include a discussion on risk, threats, likelihood, and consequence as well as vulnerabilities.��Key Course Objectives:

• Provide an overview and understanding of laws, policies, regulations, and executive orders that influence the decisions based on risks to information systems in organizations both private and public.
• Discuss and breakdown the different types of threats to information networks.
• Analyze and discuss the 6 steps of the Risk Management Framework
• Evaluate and critique organizations current policy and whether they have met the intent of the RMF.
• Discuss contingency planning and cyber incident response.��

How to Identify & Write Successful Grant Proposals

Professor Cara Seitchek

SPA-085/685-006
SPA-085-906

Dates (offered in-person)
July 13 & 20

Description
Designed for beginners and those who want to hone their skills, this intensive workshop teaches how to write proposals for special projects and general support. Instruction covers how to successfully write a proposal from start to finish, including defining program goals and objectives, establishing the need, and preparing a program evaluation and proposal budget. The course introduces you to widely used resources available on the Internet and at local libraries, and you gain practical tips for researching and identifying appropriate funders, establishing a relationship, and how to use foundation tax returns.

A Gentle Introduction to R

Professor Andrew Ballard

SPA-085/685-002
SPA-085-902

Dates (offered online)
July 20 & 21

Description
In this course you will learn the basics of ��the open-source statistical software R, from installation to data analysis and presentation of results. You will learn the logic and structure of the R language, how to navigate the user interface, work with data, and more. The class will give you a foundation for working with R, both in terms of analyzing and presenting data graphically.

A Gentle Introduction to Stata

Professor Seth Gershenson

SPA-085/685-003
SPA-085-903

Dates (offered online)
July 27 & 28

Description
In this course you will learn the basics of the proprietary statistical software Stata, from loading data and data management to data analysis and presentation of results. You will learn the logic and structure of Stata commands, how to navigate the user interface, create figures, maintain logs and do files, and more. The class will give you a foundation for working with Stata, in terms of data management, analysis, and graphics.

A Quick Introduction to Stata and R Statistical Software Packages

Professors Gershenson and Ballard

SPA-085/685-004
SPA-085-904

Dates (offered online)
August 10 & 11

Description
In this course you will learn the basics of the open-source statistical software packages Stata and R, from installation to data analysis and presentation of results. You will learn the logic and structure of the Stata and R language, how to navigate the user interface, work with data, and more. The class will give you a foundation for working with Stata and R, both in terms of analyzing and presenting data graphically.

��

Spring 2024

Implementing and Evaluating Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)

Professors Dan Litwok and Hannah Betesh

SPA-085/685-004
SPA-085-904

Dates (offered in-person)
January 27 & 28

Description
This course offers a hands-on introduction to implementing and evaluating policy-relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT). Topics covered include logic modeling, institutional review board (IRB) approval, power analysis, site recruitment, implementing random assignment, evaluating implementation, and evaluating impacts.

Core Principles of Data Visualization

Professor Jonathan Schwabish

SPA-085/685-001
SPA-085-901

Dates (offered in-person)
February 3 & 4

Description
This course provides a well-rounded introduction to the field of data visualization and presentation design. It introduces students to different graphic types and purposes, provides instruction on creating and giving more effective presentations, and teaches students to maximize the impact and transmission of information and research results via effective data visualizations.

Negotiation 101: Creating Win-Win Situations in ANY Situation

Professor Monica Livingston

SPA-085/685-006
SPA-085-906

Dates (offered in-person)
February 10 & 11

Description
Negotiation is a necessary and valuable skill in business, politics, and everyday life. We ALL negotiate. In fact, most of us do it daily without even noticing. This class provides an upbeat, fast-paced, and interactive opportunity to identify the negotiation skills you have and develop those skills to get you more of what you want, regardless of the environment. ��

Sleuthing 101: How to identify, request, and obtain public records in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Professor Jessica Huseman

SPA-085/685-002
SPA-085-902

Dates (offered online)
February 17 & 18

Description
Students will learn the basics of federal and state open records requests. By the end of the course, students will have a working understanding of freedom of information law, how to effectively write requests, and negotiate for information. This course will be a useful, hands on tool for any student looking to obtain and use government records for research or reporting.

Effective Focus Groups and Interviews��

Professor Joshua Joseph

SPA-085/685-003
SPA-085-903

Dates (offered in-person)
February 24 & March 2

Description
Good focus groups and interviews work a bit like good conversations--they draw us in early. Once we're engaged, we tend to share more, listen better, and benefit accordingly. This hands-on course brings the science and methods of research design together with the art of planning and facilitating meaningful conversations. Topics and related guidance include how to prioritize themes for discussion; inviting participants and tapping their interests; the value and limits of advance planning; setting helpful ground rules; ways to kick off and facilitate conversations, time management tips, and more. The course offers practice in running focus groups and interviews, including time to review and reflect on what worked, what didn't, and why.

Mis and Disinformation 101: Why do we have it; who is doing it; and how can we stop it

Professor Todd Helmus

SPA-085/685-005
SPA-085-905

Dates (offered in-person)
March 23 & 24

Description
We are living amidst an epidemic of mis and disinformation or what the RAND Corporation calls Truth Decay. ��Truth Decay is wreaking havoc on America and societies around the world and resulting in electoral interference, a rise in political polarization and extremism, and even genocide. ��In this course, we will examine the causes and consequences of Truth Decay, consider the threat of deepfakes, study foreign propaganda campaigns targeting the US and consider approaches for countering mis and disinformation.

Cyber Interagency Process: Skills for Success

Professors Shawn Bates and Fiona Alexander

SPA-085/685-007
SPA-086-907

Dates (offered in-person)
April 13 & 14

Description
With almost all aspects of the US government involved in some fashion in cyber/tech work, policy processes often involve consensus decision making in an interagency group. ��This course engages students in a high-level survey of some of the key actors, fora, negotiation theories, and practices that can lead to success in advancing policy and programming goals. Using several, specific cyber/tech policy case studies, participants operationalize this information and the tools presented through role playing simulations.��

��

Fall 2023

Policy Writing for a General Audience

Professor Lauren Camera

SPA-085/685-001
SPA-085-901

Dates (offered in-person)
September 16 & 23

Description
This course covers how to write clearly, concisely, and readably about policy and research for a broad audience of non-experts. Students learn how to write engagingly for a general audience and become familiar with different forms of communication -- fact sheets, white papers, op-eds, blog posts, speeches, and "explainers" -- used to communicate policy to the public.

How To Successfully Engage With the Media and the Public

Professor Anya Kamenetz

SPA-085/685-008
SPA-085-908

Dates (offered in-person)
September 30 & October 1

Description
Some researchers are really, really good at translating their scholarship to a broad audience. Using real-life examples, we'll explore how to write engagingly for the general public, how to collaborate productively with reporters, and when and how to use different forms of public communication--from Twitter threads to op-eds, podcasts to white papers.

Principles of Geographic Information Science

Professor Meagan Snow

SPA-085/685-006
SPA-085-906

Dates (offered online)
October 7 & 21

Description
In this course students learn foundational skills in geographic information science (GIS) software and begin to think critically and creatively about the application of those skills. Coursework includes introductions to spatial data types and formats, coordinate systems, spatial queries and joins, geoprocessing tools, and the art and science of cartography. Students learn how to make basic maps and how to create, edit, and query spatial data, and gain an understanding of what else is possible with GIS.

Disability Law and Public Administration

Professor Mark Maxin

SPA-085/685-003
SPA-085-903

Dates (offered in-person)
October 14 & 15

Description
The class will receive an overview of disability law with a focus on disability employment law. ��Students will understand rights and responsibilities involving reasonable accommodation and how to create an inclusive environment for persons with disabilities. The class will focus on specific court decisions addressing disability discrimination claims. ��

How to Lobby Congressional Staff

Professor Doug��Steiger

SPA-085/685-005
SPA-085-905

Dates (offered in-person)
October 28 & November 4

Description
Most of the time, people who advocate to Congress meet with staff of the members of Congress, not the elected officials themselves. This course provides insight to help students be effective lobbyists of staff, no matter what issues matter to them, including an opportunity to practice making a presentation.

What You Didn't Know About Cyber Incident Response: How Law Enforcement and Global Policy Bodies Intersect

Professor Robert Flaim

Dates (offered in-person)
November 4 & 18

SPA-085/685-007
SPA-085-907

Description
This course will explore law enforcement's role at global cyber policy bodies such as ICANN, IETF, Regional Internet Registries, and others. ��Through the use of multiple case studies, participants will gain an understanding of key internet governance players and issues in multistakeholder and multiple-lateral environments for example the GDPR and the Budapest Cybercrime Convention.

Core Principles of Data Visualization

Professor Jonathan Schwabish

SPA-085/685-004
SPA-085-904

Dates (offered online)
November 11 & 12

Description
This course provides a well-rounded introduction to the field of data visualization and presentation design. It introduces students to different graphic types and purposes, provides instruction on creating and giving more effective presentations, and teaches students to maximize the impact and transmission of information and research results via effective data visualizations.

Media Skills Training

Professor Betsy Fischer Martin

SPA-085/685-009
SPA-085-909

Dates (offered online)
November 11 & December 2

Description
This course uses instruction, real-life examples, one-on-one mock interviews, and feedback to learn how to best prepare for and successfully communicate in TV, radio, and print interviews. Topics include how to conduct an effective press conference; skills to effectively convey message-points and steer interviews back to those points; how to be more comfortable and confident on-camera; how to understand the targeted audience in an interview; techniques to handle negative and unexpected questions; how to craft and deliver meaningful soundbites and how to avoid some soundbite pitfalls; understanding the different strategies and techniques to use in remote interviews vs. in-person interviews; what to expect in a TV studio and understanding TV optics; and understanding different types of media and rules of the road. Students become more comfortable in front of the camera and learn how to connect effectively with any audience. They become aware of strengths and weaknesses in their delivery and develop a course of action to address any problem areas.

Causal Inference 1: A Short Course (Friends Don’t Let Friends Lie with Statistics)

Professor Seth Gershenson

SPA-085/685-002
SPA-085-902

Dates (offered in-person)
November 18 & 19

Description
This course builds on the tools of statistical analysis and multiple linear regression introduced in PUAD 601, 605, and 602 (though only 601/605 is a firm pre-requisite for MPP/MPA students, respectively). After quickly reviewing some basics of the OLS estimator and hypothesis testing, the course proceeds by discussing the so-called “credibility revolution” in modern micro-econometrics and program evaluation. The remaining bulk of the course, then, introduces the workhorse experimental and quasi-experimental methods for estimating and identifying causal effects. Specifically, this course introduces methods for identifying and estimating causal effects from experimental and non-experimental (observational) data, of both the cross-sectional and panel (longitudinal) variety. Upon completing the course, students should feel comfortable identifying, interpreting, and implementing these methods. Recommendation: PUAD-601 or PUAD-605.

��

Summer 2023

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency 101: A Beginner's Guide

Professor Kiran Raj

SPA-085/685-008
SPA-085-908

Dates (offered online)
May 20 & 21

Description
This course will focus on blockchain/cryptocurrency from a technology, policy, and regulatory perspective. Come learn what the hype is about!

Critical Race Theory in the Workplace: Rethinking Policy and Practice

Professor TaLisa Carter

SPA-085/685-002
SPA-085-902

Dates (offered in-person)
June 3 & 4, 2023

Description
Critical race theory (CRT) is a “hot topic.” What does it mean? What does it look like in the workplace? This hands-on course makes a connection between critical race theory and the workplace through meaningful conversations and real-life activities. CRT topics and related guidance will include how to: improve organizational policies and practices; facilitate inclusive workplace interactions; engage in reflexive and meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion work; generate genuine buy-in from diverse stakeholders; and more.

How to Start a Nonprofit

Professor Lewis Faulk

SPA-085/685-003
SPA-085-903

Dates (offered in-person)
June 10 & 11

Description
This course is structured as a hands-on workshop to guide students through the process of starting a nonprofit organization in the U.S. Students will learn the various organizational forms social entrepreneurs can use to pursue their missions, and they will learn the legal process on the state and federal levels to establish those organizations. Students will learn the advantages and disadvantages of different organizational forms as well as how to manage the potential legal and strategic pitfalls that confront startup organizations.

Inflation 101: What is it? Where does it come from? Why should it matter to you?

Professor Gabriel Mathy

SPA-085/685-004
SPA-085-904

Dates (offered in-person)
June 17 & 24

Description
Inflation is an old problem that has become very salient recently. This course will cover inflation from many different angles, including mainstream and non-mainstream theories of inflation, monetary and non-monetary sources of inflation, hyperinflations, inflation in cryptocurrencies, and current problems in inflation, and policies to address inflation. The course will have a light theoretical background, with a focus on policy applications and what a layperson would benefit from knowing about inflation.

HR 101: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

Professor Vicky Wilkins

SPA-085/685-001
SPA-085-901

Dates (offered in-person)
July 8 & 9

Description
In this course, students will acquire skills in the core functions of human resources and will also have knowledge of how human resource management functions across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. These skills and knowledge will make the students more informed employees, better employers.

How to Identify & Write Successful Grant Proposals

Professor Cara Seitchek

Dates (offered in-person)
July 15 & 22

SPA-085/685-005
SPA-085-905

Description
Designed for beginners and those who want to hone their skills, this intensive workshop teaches how to write proposals for special projects and general support. Instruction covers how to successfully write a proposal from start to finish, including defining program goals and objectives, establishing the need, and preparing a program evaluation and proposal budget. The course introduces you to widely used resources available on the Internet and at local libraries, and you gain practical tips for researching and identifying appropriate funders, establishing a relationship, and how to use foundation tax returns.

A Quick Introduction to Stata and R Statistical Software Packages

Professors Seth Gershenson and Andrew Ballard

Dates (offered online)
July 29 & 30

SPA-085/685-009
SPA-085-909

Description
In this course you will learn the basics of the open-source statistical software packages Stata and R, from installation to data analysis and presentation of results. You will learn the logic and structure of the Stata and R language, how to navigate the user interface, work with data, and more. The class will give you a foundation for working with Stata and R, both in terms of analyzing and presenting data graphically.

Resource and Acquisition Management in the Federal Government

Professor Kelly Gaffney

Dates (offered in-person)
July 29 & August 5

SPA-085/685-010
SPA-085-910

Description
This one-credit (15 hour) course will cover the interplay of budget, requirements, and acquisition processes used by US federal government agencies in partnership with industry to deliver goods and services. Specifically, we will investigate how federal government budgets are built, structured, analyzed, and approved—exploring major funding categories, actors, and processes. ��We will then examine the acquisition management steps and best practices needed to translate those budget resources into contracts with industry.

A Gentle Introduction to Stata

Professor Seth Gershenson

Dates (offered online)
August 5 & 6

SPA-085/685-006
SPA-085-906

Description
In this course you will learn the basics of the proprietary statistical software Stata, from loading data and data management to data analysis and presentation of results. You will learn the logic and structure of Stata commands, how to navigate the user interface, create figures, maintain logs and do files, and more. The class will give you a foundation for working with Stata, in terms of data management, analysis, and graphics.

A Gentle Introduction to R

Professor Andrew Ballard

Dates (offered online)
August 12 & 13

SPA-085/685-007
SPA-085-907

Description
In this course you will learn the basics of ��the open-source statistical software R, from installation to data analysis and presentation of results. You will learn the logic and structure of the R language, how to navigate the user interface, work with data, and more. The class will give you a foundation for working with R, both in terms of analyzing and presenting data graphically.

IC 101: Introduction to the US Intelligence Community

Professor Kelly Gaffney

SPA-085/685-011
SPA-085-911

Dates (offered online)
August 12 & 13

Description
This course will provide an overview of the US Intelligence Community to include it’s organization, agencies, functions and missions. ��We will investigate how intelligence is analyzed and explore how that analysis is used to inform policy makers. ��We will then examine the legal underpinnings of the US Intelligence apparatus and the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure lawful behavior—exploring major funding categories, actors, and processes.

Economics of Trading Cards: Economic Principles in the Wild

Professor Seth Gershenson

Dates (offered in-person)
January 28 & January 29

Description
The modern market for trading cards provides an ideal, real-life laboratory for analyzing and understanding seemingly irrational human and firm behavior using the tools of economics. This course will use simple, fun examples from the world of trading cards to demonstrate economic principles that directly translate to some of the most pressing problems faced by policy makers, households, NPOs, and government agencies. After briefly reviewing the history of trading cards and the reasons that humans are compelled to collect things, we’ll discuss key concepts such as the consequences of artificially holding prices below the market clearing price, the deadweight loss caused by market failures associated with monopolies and asymmetric information, the economics of risk and uncertainty, and lessons from behavioral finance for making better investments. ��

Media Skills Training

Professor Betsy Fischer Martin

Dates (offered online)
February 4 & February 25

Description
This course uses instruction, real-life examples, one-on-one mock interviews, and feedback to learn how to best prepare for and successfully communicate in TV, radio, and print interviews. Topics include how to conduct an effective press conference; skills to effectively convey message-points and steer interviews back to those points; how to be more comfortable and confident on-camera; how to understand the targeted audience in an interview; techniques to handle negative and unexpected questions; how to craft and deliver meaningful soundbites and how to avoid some soundbite pitfalls; understanding the different strategies and techniques to use in remote interviews vs. in-person interviews; what to expect in a TV studio and understanding TV optics; and understanding different types of media and rules of the road. Students become more comfortable in front of the camera and learn how to connect effectively with any audience. They become aware of strengths and weaknesses in their delivery and develop a course of action to address any problem areas.

Effective Focus Groups and Interviews

Professor Joshua Joseph

Dates (offered online)
February 11 & February 18

Description
Good focus groups and interviews work a bit like good conversations--they draw us in early. Once we're engaged, we tend to share more, listen better, and benefit accordingly. This hands-on course brings the science and methods of research design together with the art of planning and facilitating meaningful conversations. Topics and related guidance include how to prioritize themes for discussion; inviting participants and tapping their interests; the value and limits of advance planning; setting helpful ground rules; ways to kick off and facilitate conversations, time management tips, and more. The course offers practice in running focus groups and interviews, including time to review and reflect on what worked, what didn't, and why.
��

Implementing and Evaluating Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)

Professors Dan Litwok and Hannah Betesh

Dates (offered in-person)
March 4 & March 5

Description
This course offers a hands-on introduction to implementing and evaluating policy-relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT). Topics covered include logic modeling, institutional review board (IRB) approval, power analysis, site recruitment, implementing random assignment, evaluating implementation, and evaluating impacts.

Principles of Geographic Information Science

Professor Meagan Snow

Dates (offered online)
March 25 & March 26

Description
In this course students learn foundational skills in geographic information science (GIS) software and begin to think critically and creatively about the application of those skills. Coursework includes introductions to spatial data types and formats, coordinate systems, spatial queries and joins, geoprocessing tools, and the art and science of cartography. Students learn how to make basic maps and how to create, edit, and query spatial data, and gain an understanding of what else is possible with GIS.

Sleuthing 101: How to Identify, Request, and Obtain Public Records in Accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Professor Jessica Huseman

Dates (offered in-person)
April 1 & April 2

Description
Students will learn the basics of federal and state open records requests. By the end of the course, students will have a working understanding of freedom of information law, how to effectively write requests, and negotiate for information. This course will be a useful, hands on tool for any student looking to obtain and use government records for research or reporting.

The Power of Effective Presentations

Professor Jonathan Schwabish

Dates��
April 15 & April 16

Description
This course instructs students on optimal presentation techniques, including design of slides and graphics, content, organization, style, and time allocation.
��

Skills for Success in the Cyber Interagency Process

Professors Shawn Bates and Fiona Alexander

Dates (offered in-person)
April 22 & April 23

Description
With almost all aspects of the US government involved in some fashion in cyber/tech work, policy processes often involve consensus decision making in an interagency group. ��This course engages students in a high-level survey of some of the key actors, fora, negotiation theories, and practices that can lead to success in advancing policy and programming goals. Using several, specific cyber/tech policy case studies, participants operationalize this information and the tools presented through role playing simulations.��

Key Issues for Emerging Nonprofit Leaders and Executive Directors

Professors Lewis Faulk and Erin Fuller

Dates (offered in-person)
September 10 & 11

Description
In this course, students engage on key issues for current and future nonprofit leaders. Topics covered are those most relevant to nonprofit executive directors, board members, and other leadership including diversity, equity, and inclusion; board development and governance; human resource management; financial growth and development; and performance management. Discussion of real-world experiences plays a central role in the course along with learning strategies and tools to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing nonprofit leaders today.��

Telling Stories with IPUMS Data (How to Answer and Inform Policy Debates with Publicly Available Survey Data)

Professor Gray Kimbrough

Dates (offered in-person)
September 17 & September 24

Description
This course introduces students to multiple publicly available sources of survey microdata from Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) including the decennial census, American Community Survey, Community Population Survey, and American Time Use Survey. The course surveys the questions these datasets can be used to answer, as well as the issues researchers encounter in analysis with microdata. Students gain experience performing their own analyses to tell stories about population dynamics, economic behavior, and time use.

Policy Writing for a General Audience

Professor Libby Nelson

Dates (offered online)
October 1 & October 2

Description
This course covers how to write clearly, concisely, and readably about policy and research for a broad audience of non-experts. Students learn how to write engagingly for a general audience and become familiar with different forms of communication--fact sheets, white papers, op-eds, blog posts, speeches, and "explainers" --used to communicate policy to the public.

How to Lobby Congressional Staff

Professor Douglas Steiger

Dates (offered in-person)
October 8 & October 15

Description
Most of the time, people who advocate to Congress meet with staff of the members of Congress, not the elected officials themselves. This course provides insight to help students be effective lobbyists of staff, no matter what issues matter to them, including an opportunity to practice making a presentation.

Building a Harassment-Free Workplace and Complying with Discrimination Law

Professor Mark Maxin

Dates (offered in-person)
October 22 & October 23

Description
This course addresses the fundamentals of harassment law and explores the legal definitions of hostile environment harassment, the meaning of quid pro quo, and liability issues in harassment cases as described by the Supreme Court. Students discuss various types of harassment from comments, jokes, touching, e-mails, and social media and not only sexual harassment but other various forms of harassment involving race, national origin, or religion. The course also reviews actual policies and procedures that can be implemented to encourage the reporting of harassment and create a zero tolerance for harassment in the workplace and society including a 2016 study of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on harassment in the workplace. Students gain an understanding what the law means, as well as what they can do to reduce harassment in the workplace.

Cyber Policy 101: Key Issues, Primary Players, and Critical Management Issues

Professors Sasha O'Connell and Diana Burley

Dates (offered in-person)
November 5 & November 19

Description
This course offers a hands-on introduction to the key concepts and "big questions" of U.S. Cyber Policy. Through the use of case studies, hands on simulation exercises, and the review of news from current headlines, participants will be introduced to the key players in this field and the public sector management issues associated with today's cyber policy challenges. The course requires no previous technical experience and is also appropriate for those with a computer science/data management background with an interest in policy and public management.

Core Principles of Data Visualization

Professor Jonathan Schwabish

Dates (offered online)
November 12 & November 13

Description
This course provides a well-rounded introduction to the field of data visualization and presentation design. It introduces students to different graphic types and purposes, provides instruction on creating and giving more effective presentations, and teaches students to maximize the impact and transmission of information and research results via effective data visualizations.

HR 101: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

Professor Vicky Wilkins

Dates (offered in-person)
May 14 & May 15

Description
In this course, students will acquire skills in the core functions of human resources and will also have knowledge of how human resource management functions across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. These skills and knowledge will make the students more informed employees, better employers.

A Gentle Introduction to Stata

Professor Seth Gershenson

Dates (offered online)
June 5��& June 18

Description
In this course you will learn the basics of the proprietary statistical software Stata, from loading data and data management to data analysis and presentation of results. You will learn the logic and structure of Stata commands, how to navigate the user interface, create figures, maintain logs and do files, and more. The class will give you a foundation for working with Stata, in terms of data management, analysis, and graphics.��

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency 101: A Beginner's Guide

Professor Kiran Raj

Dates (offered online)
June 11 & June 12

Description
This course will focus on blockchain/cryptocurrency from a technology, policy, and regulatory perspective. Come learn what the hype is about!

How to Start a Nonprofit

Professor Lewis Faulk

Dates (offered in-person)
June 11 & June 12

Description
This course is structured as a hands-on workshop to guide students through the process of starting a nonprofit organization in the U.S. Students will learn the various organizational forms social entrepreneurs can use to pursue their missions, and they will learn the legal process on the state and federal levels to establish those organizations. Students will learn the advantages and disadvantages of different organizational forms as well as how to manage the potential legal and strategic pitfalls that confront startup organizations.

A Gentle Introduction to R

Professor Andrew Ballard

Dates (offered online)
June 25 & June 26

Description
In this course you will learn the basics of ��the open-source statistical software R, from installation to data analysis and presentation of results. You will learn the logic and structure of the R language, how to navigate the user interface, work with data, and more. The class will give you a foundation for working with R, both in terms of analyzing and presenting data graphically.

Causal Inference 1: A Short Course (Friends Don't Let Friends Lie With Statistics)

Professor Seth Gershenson

Dates (offered online)
July 9 & July 10

Description
This course builds on the tools of statistical analysis and multiple linear regression introduced in PUAD 601, 605, and 602 (though only 601/605 is a firm pre-requisite for MPP/MPA students, respectively). After quickly reviewing some basics of the OLS estimator and hypothesis testing, the course proceeds by discussing the so-called “credibility revolution” in modern micro-econometrics and program evaluation. The remaining bulk of the course, then, introduces the workhorse experimental and quasi-experimental methods for estimating and identifying causal effects. Specifically, this course introduces methods for identifying and estimating causal effects from experimental and non-experimental (observational) data, of both the cross-sectional and panel (longitudinal) variety. Upon completing the course, students should feel comfortable identifying, interpreting, and implementing these methods. Pre-requisite: PUAD 601 or PUAD 605 for MPP/MPA students.

How To Identify & Write Successful Grant Proposals

Professor Cara Seitchek

Dates (offered in-person)
July 16 & July 23��

Description
Designed for beginners and those who want to hone their skills, this intensive workshop teaches how to write proposals for special projects and general support. Instruction covers how to successfully write a proposal from start to finish, including defining program goals and objectives, establishing the need, and preparing a program evaluation and proposal budget. The course introduces you to widely used resources available on the Internet and at local libraries, and you gain practical tips for researching and identifying appropriate funders, establishing a relationship, and how to use foundation tax returns.

Principles of Geographic Information Science

Professor Meagan Snow

Dates (offered in-person)
July 30 & August 6

Description
In this course students learn foundational skills in geographic information science (GIS) software and begin to think critically and creatively about the application of those skills. Coursework includes introductions to spatial data types and formats, coordinate systems, spatial queries and joins, geoprocessing tools, and the art and science of cartography. Students learn how to make basic maps and how to create, edit, and query spatial data, and gain an understanding of what else is possible with GIS.

Implementing and Evaluating Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)

Professors Daniel Litwok��and Hannah Betesh

Dates
January 29 & January 30

Description
This course offers a hands-on introduction to implementing and evaluating policy-relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT). Topics covered include logic modeling, institutional review board (IRB) approval, power analysis, site recruitment, implementing random assignment, evaluating implementation, and evaluating impacts.

Op-Eds That Change Minds - or Change the World

Professor Libby Nelson

Dates��
February 5 & February 6

Description��
Even in an era of tweetstorms and podcasts, the good old guest column remains one of the best ways to get your ideas to a broad audience. But writing a great 800-word column is harder than it looks. From pitching an idea and honing an angle to coming to terms with not writing your own headline, this course will prepare you to pitch an op-ed that pops to major publications.

Public Sector Consulting: Navigating the Terrain

Professor M. John Saad

Dates
February 12 & February 13

Description��
This course is designed to provide insights into the complex world of consulting for the public sector through the experiences of career consultants on the frontlines. Using a combination of storytelling, engaging discussion, interactive demonstrations, and hands-on simulations, the course focuses on the characteristics of strong consultants, fundamental skills for a successful consulting career, helpful tools and technology, and problem-solving across the stages of client engagement. You will hear personal stories and perspectives from consulting leaders with diverse clients and career experiences advising on a wide range of topics and helping solve some of their clients’ most complex challenges. The sessions will introduce students who are new to consulting and those looking to expand their consulting know-how with tools, techniques, skills, and advice to foster consulting success.

Effective Focus Groups and Interviews

Professor Joshua Joseph

Dates
February 19 & February 26

Description��
Good focus groups and interviews work a bit like good conversations--they draw us in early. Once we're engaged, we tend to share more, listen better, and benefit accordingly. This hands-on course brings the science and methods of research design together with the art of planning and facilitating meaningful conversations. Topics and related guidance include how to prioritize themes for discussion; inviting participants and tapping their interests; the value and limits of advance planning; setting helpful ground rules; ways to kick off and facilitate conversations, time management tips, and more. The course offers practice in running focus groups and interviews, including time to review and reflect on what worked, what didn't, and why.

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Media Skills Training

Professor Betsy Fischer Martin

Dates [offered online]
March 19 & April 16

Description
This course uses instruction, real-life examples, one-on-one mock interviews, and feedback to learn how to best prepare for and successfully communicate in TV, radio, and print interviews. Topics include how to conduct an effective press conference; skills to effectively convey message-points and steer interviews back to those points; how to be more comfortable and confident on-camera; how to understand the targeted audience in an interview; techniques to handle negative and unexpected questions; how to craft and deliver meaningful soundbites and how to avoid some soundbite pitfalls; understanding the different strategies and techniques to use in remote interviews vs. in-person interviews; what to expect in a TV studio and understanding TV optics; and understanding different types of media and rules of the road. Students become more comfortable in front of the camera and learn how to connect effectively with any audience. They become aware of strengths and weaknesses in their delivery and develop a course of action to address any problem areas.

Sleuthing 101: How to Identify, Request, and Obtain Public Records in Accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Professor��Jessica Huseman

Dates
April 9 & April 10

Description
Students will learn the basics of federal and state open records requests. By the end of the course, students will have a working understanding of freedom of information law, how to effectively write requests, and negotiate for information. This course will be a useful, hands on tool for any student looking to obtain and use government records for research or reporting.

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Policy Writing for a General Audience

Professor��

Dates
September 18 & September 19

Description
This course covers how to write clearly, concisely, and readably about policy and research for a broad audience of non-experts. Students learn how to write engagingly for a general audience and become familiar with different forms of communication--fact sheets, white papers, op-eds, blog posts, speeches, and "explainers" --used to communicate policy to the public.

Telling Stories with IPUMS Data (How to Answer Questions and Inform Policy Debates with Publicly Available Survey Data)

Professor��

Dates
September 25 & October 2

Description
This course introduces students to multiple publicly available sources of survey microdata from Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) including the decennial census, American Community Survey, Community Population Survey, and American Time Use Survey. The course surveys the questions these datasets can be used to answer, as well as the issues researchers encounter in analysis with microdata. Students gain experience performing their own analyses to tell stories about population dynamics, economic behavior, and time use.

Cyber Policy 101: Key Issues, Primary Players, and Critical Management Issues

Professors��Sasha O'Connell��and��

Dates (offered online)
October 9 & October 30

This course offers a hands-on introduction to the key concepts and "big questions" of U.S. Cyber Policy. Through the use of case studies, hands on simulation exercises, and the review of news from current headlines, participants will be introduced to the key players in this field and the public sector management issues associated with today's cyber policy challenges. The course requires no previous technical experience and is also appropriate for those with a computer science/data management background with an interest in policy and public management.

How to Lobby Congressional Staff��

Professor��

Dates
October 16 & October 23

Description
Most of the time, people who advocate to Congress meet with staff of the members of Congress, not the elected officials themselves. This course provides insight to help students be effective lobbyists of staff, no matter what issues matter to them, including an opportunity to practice making a presentation.

How to Conduct Rigorous Qualitative Research

Professor��Stefanie DeLuca

Dates
November 6 & November 7

Description
In this course, students will learn how to conduct qualitative research that informs social policy. We will focus on the art and science of the in-depth narrative interview, the significance of sampling in qualitative studies, and some methods for coding and analysis. We will also consider the ethical demands of field research and how these vary for in-person versus virtual interviews. The course will include case examples from research on housing policy, urban youth, and education, and will include insights from mixed methods study designs combining experimental data with qualitative data.��

Core Principles of Data Visualization

Professor��

Dates (offered online)
November 20 & November 21

Description
This course provides a well-rounded introduction to the field of data visualization and presentation design. It introduces students to different graphic types and purposes, provides instruction on creating and giving more effective presentations, and teaches students to maximize the impact and transmission of information and research results via effective data visualizations.

How to Start a Nonprofit

Professor��Lewis Faulk

Dates
May 22 & May 23

Description
This course is structured as a hands-on workshop to guide students through the process of starting a nonprofit organization in the U.S. Students will learn the various organizational forms social entrepreneurs can use to pursue their missions, and they will learn the legal process on the state and federal levels to establish those organizations. Students will learn the advantages and disadvantages of different organizational forms as well as how to manage the potential legal and strategic pitfalls that confront startup organizations.

Principles of Geographic Information Science

Professor��Meagan Snow

Dates
June 5 & June 12

Description
In this course students learn foundational skills in geographic information science (GIS) software and begin to think critically and creatively about the application of those skills. Coursework includes introductions to spatial data types and formats, coordinate systems, spatial queries and joins, geoprocessing tools, and the art and science of cartography. Students learn how to make basic maps and how to create, edit, and query spatial data, and gain an understanding of what else is possible with GIS.

A Gentle Introduction to R

Professor��Andrew Ballard

Dates
June 19 & June 20

Description
In this course you will learn the basics of ��the open-source statistical software R, from installation to data analysis and presentation of results. You will learn the logic and structure of the R language, how to navigate the user interface, work with data, and more. The class will give you a foundation for working with R, both in terms of analyzing and presenting data graphically.

Disability Law and Public Administration

Professor��Mark Maxin

Dates
July 10 & July 11

Description
The class will receive an overview of disability law with a focus on disability employment law. ��Students will understand rights and responsibilities involving reasonable accommodation and how to create an inclusive environment for persons with disabilities. The class will focus on specific court decisions addressing disability discrimination claims. ��

How to Identify & Write Successful Grant Proposals

Professor��Cara Seitchek��

Dates (offered in person)
July 17 & July 24

Description
Designed for beginners and those who want to hone their skills, this intensive workshop teaches how to write proposals for special projects and general support. Instruction covers how to successfully write a proposal from start to finish, including defining program goals and objectives, establishing the need, and preparing a program evaluation and proposal budget. The course introduces you to widely used resources available on the Internet and at local libraries, and you gain practical tips for researching and identifying appropriate funders, establishing a relationship, and how to use foundation tax returns.

Causal Inference 1: A Short Course (Friends Don’t Let Friends Lie with Statistics)

Professor��Seth Gershenson

Dates (offered in person)
August 7 & August 8

Description
This course builds on the tools of statistical analysis and multiple linear regression introduced in PUAD 601, 605, and 602 (though only 601/605 is a firm pre-requisite for MPP/MPA students, respectively). After quickly reviewing some basics of the OLS estimator and hypothesis testing, the course proceeds by discussing the so-called “credibility revolution” in modern micro-econometrics and program evaluation. The remaining bulk of the course, then, introduces the workhorse experimental and quasi-experimental methods for estimating and identifying causal effects. Specifically, this course introduces methods for identifying and estimating causal effects from experimental and non-experimental (observational) data, of both the cross-sectional and panel (longitudinal) variety. Upon completing the course, students should feel comfortable identifying, interpreting, and implementing these methods. Pre-requisite: PUAD 601 or PUAD 605 for MPP/MPA students.

Critical Race Theory in the Workplace: Rethinking Policy & Practice

Professor��Talisa Carter

Dates
June 26 & June 27

Description
Critical race theory (CRT) is a “hot topic.” What does it mean? What does it look like in the workplace? This hands-on course makes a connection between critical race theory and the workplace through meaningful conversations and real-life activities. CRT topics and related guidance will include how to: improve organizational policies and practices; facilitate inclusive workplace interactions; engage in reflexive and meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion work; generate genuine buy-in from diverse stakeholders; and more.

Implementing and Evaluating Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)

Professors Elizabeth Copson and��Daniel Litwok

Dates
January 23 & January��30

Description
This course offers a hands-on introduction to implementing and evaluating policy-relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT). Topics covered include logic modeling, institutional review board (IRB) approval, power analysis, site recruitment, implementing random assignment, evaluating implementation, and evaluating impacts.

The Public Health and Economic Implications of COVID-19

Professors Seth Gershenson and Nina Yamanis

Dates (offered in person)
January 24 & February 28

Description
This course will discuss the consequences of, and responses to, the COVID-19 pandemic from both public health and economic perspectives. On the public health side, students will learn the pillars of public health responses to pandemics, use case studies to examine different country’s responses to the pandemic, and the political and historical factors that motivate them. On the economic side, students will discuss the economic principles that explain and motivate individual and government behavior during the pandemic, analyze the impacts of the pandemic and associated policy responses on labor markets, financial markets, inequality, and education. Both units will pay special attention to how the pandemic might affect marginalized groups differently and might exacerbate existing health and economic inequities.

Media Skills Training

Professor��Betsy Fischer Martin

Dates
February 6 & February 27

Description
This course uses instruction, real-life examples, one-on-one mock interviews, and feedback to learn how to best prepare for and successfully communicate in TV, radio, and print interviews. Topics include how to conduct an effective press conference; skills to effectively convey message-points and steer interviews back to those points; how to be more comfortable and confident on-camera; how to understand the targeted audience in an interview; techniques to handle negative and unexpected questions; how to craft and deliver meaningful soundbites and how to avoid some soundbite pitfalls; understanding the different strategies and techniques to use in remote interviews vs. in-person interviews; what to expect in a TV studio and understanding TV optics; and understanding different types of media and rules of the road. Students become more comfortable in front of the camera and learn how to connect effectively with any audience. They become aware of strengths and weaknesses in their delivery and develop a course of action to address any problem areas.

Public Sector Consulting: Navigating the Terrain

Professor��M. John Saad

Dates
February 20 &��February 21

Description
This course is designed to provide insights into the complex world of consulting for the public sector through the experiences of career consultants on the frontlines. Using a combination of storytelling, engaging discussion, interactive demonstrations, and hands-on simulations, the course focuses on the characteristics of strong consultants, fundamental skills for a successful consulting career, helpful tools and technology, and problem-solving across the stages of client engagement. You will hear personal stories and perspectives from consulting leaders with diverse clients and career experiences advising on a wide range of topics and helping solve some of their clients’ most complex challenges. The sessions will introduce students who are new to consulting and those looking to expand their consulting know-how with tools, techniques, skills, and advice to foster consulting success.

Effective Focus Groups and Interviews

Professor Joshua Joseph

Dates
March 20 &��March 27

Description
Good focus groups and interviews work a bit like good conversations--they draw us in early. Once we're engaged, we tend to share more, listen better, and benefit accordingly. This hands-on course brings the science and methods of research design together with the art of planning and facilitating meaningful conversations. Topics and related guidance include how to prioritize themes for discussion; inviting participants and tapping their interests; the value and limits of advance planning; setting helpful ground rules; ways to kick off and facilitate conversations, time management tips, and more. The course offers practice in running focus groups and interviews, including time to review and reflect on what worked, what didn't, and why.

Op-Eds That Change Minds - or Change the World

Professor Libby Nelson

Dates
April 3 &��April 4

Description
Even in an era of tweetstorms and podcasts, the good old guest column remains one of the best ways to get your ideas to a broad audience. But writing a great 800-word column is harder than it looks. From pitching an idea and honing an angle to coming to terms with not writing your own headline, this course will prepare you to pitch an op-ed that pops to major publications.

Project Management Essentials

Professor Rebecca Yurman

Dates (offered in person)
April 3 & April 10

Description
Project management is not reserved for certified project managers, and many of us find ourselves in the role of managing projects without any formal training or preparation for what that entails. This course will offer practical approaches and skills that will assist you in successfully managing projects in a variety of organizational settings. We will cover the essentials of project management concepts and methods, including project definition and planning, balancing competing priorities, staffing, schedule and cost estimation, risk management, and stakeholder management. We will examine factors that contribute to project success and failure, both internally and in the external environment, and identify ways to successfully manage complexity and uncertainty.

HR 101: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

Professor��

Dates (offered in person)
April 17-18

Description
In this course, students will acquire skills in the core functions of human resources and will also have knowledge of how human resource management functions across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. These skills and knowledge will make the students more informed employees, better employers.

Principles of Geographic Information Science

Professor Meagan Snow

Dates
September 12 & September 19

Description
In this course students learn foundational skills in geographic information science (GIS) software and begin to think critically and creatively about the application of those skills. Coursework includes introductions to spatial data types and formats, coordinate systems, spatial queries and joins, geoprocessing tools, and the art and science of cartography. Students learn how to make basic maps and how to create, edit, and query spatial data, and gain an understanding of what else is possible with GIS.

Telling Stories with IPUMS Survey Data

Professor Gray Kimbrough

Dates
September 26 & October 3

Description
This course introduces students to multiple publicly available sources of survey microdata from Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) including the decennial census, American Community Survey, Community Population Survey, and American Time Use Survey. The course surveys the questions these datasets can be used to answer, as well as the issues researchers encounter in analysis with microdata. Students gain experience performing their own analyses to tell stories about population dynamics, economic behavior, and time use.

How to Lobby Congressional Staff��

Professor Douglas Steiger

Dates
October 17 & October 24

Description
Most of the time, people who advocate to Congress meet with staff of the members of Congress, not the elected officials themselves. This course provides insight to help students be effective lobbyists of staff, no matter what issues matter to them, including an opportunity to practice making a presentation.

How to Manage a Nonprofit in a Time of Crisis

Professors: Lewis Faulk and Erin Fuller

Dates
October 25��& November 1

Description
In this course, students will learn frameworks for managing nonprofit organizations through times of crisis. The course will focus on exploring cases of real organizations, the anticipated and unanticipated problems they face in times of crisis, and tools to help the organization survive, adapt, and maximize mission-related impact while adjusting to changing realities in their work. Students will gain hands-on experience with these tools, interact with guest lecturers who are leading organizations through crisis, and learn to apply tools from the course in different real-world scenarios across diverse organizations and settings.

Building a Harassment-Free Workplace and Complying with Discrimination Law

Professor Mark Maxin

Dates
October 31 & November 1

Description
This course addresses the fundamentals of harassment law and explores the legal definitions of hostile environment harassment, the meaning of quid pro quo, and liability issues in harassment cases as described by the Supreme Court. Students discuss various types of harassment from comments, jokes, touching, e-mails, and social media and not only sexual harassment but other various forms of harassment involving race, national origin, or religion. The course also reviews actual policies and procedures that can be implemented to encourage the reporting of harassment and create a zero tolerance for harassment in the workplace and society including a 2016 study of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on harassment in the workplace. Students gain an understanding what the law means, as well as what they can do to reduce harassment in the workplace.

Core Principles of Data Visualization��

Professor Jonathan Schwabish

Dates
November 7 & November 8

Description
This course provides a well-rounded introduction to the field of data visualization and presentation design. It introduces students to different graphic types and purposes, provides instruction on creating and giving more effective presentations, and teaches students to maximize the impact and transmission of information and research results via effective data visualizations.

How to Start a Nonprofit

Professor Lewis Faulk

Dates
May 16 & May 17

Description
This course is structured as a hands-on workshop to guide students through the process of starting a nonprofit organization in the U.S. Students will learn the various organizational forms social entrepreneurs can use to pursue their missions, and they will learn the legal process on the state and federal levels to establish those organizations. ��Students will learn the advantages and disadvantages of different organizational forms as well as how to manage the potential legal and strategic pitfalls that confront startup organizations.

Economics of COVID-19

Professor Seth Gershenson

Dates
May 30 & May 31

Description
This course discusses the economics of the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll begin by discussing the relevant economic principles that explain and motivate individual and government behavior during the pandemic. Then we'll analyze the (likely) impacts of the pandemic and associated policy responses on the labor market, financial markets, inequality, and education. In doing so, we'll also review the economic policy responses themselves.

How to Conduct Text Analysis using R

Professor Andrew Ballard

Dates
June 6 & June 7

Description
We will use the open-source statistical software R to gain a grounding in applications of textual analysis for public policy and the broader social sciences. Using examples from social media platforms (e.g., Twitter and Facebook), we will learn how to obtain a wealth of text data from application programming interfaces (APIs) and web scraping, clean the data, and analyze it. Methods of analysis will include commonly employed machine learning models, such as topic models (e.g. Latent Dirichlet Allocation) and vector embedding models (e.g. word2vec).

Media Skills Training

Professor Betsy Fischer Martin

Dates
June 13 & 27

Description
This course uses instruction, real-life examples, one-on-one mock interviews, and feedback to learn how to best prepare for and successfully communicate in TV, radio, and print interviews. Topics include how to conduct an effective press conference; skills to effectively convey message-points and steer interviews back to those points; how to be more comfortable and confident on-camera; how to understand the targeted audience in an interview; techniques to handle negative and unexpected questions; how to craft and deliver meaningful soundbites and how to avoid some soundbite pitfalls; understanding the different strategies and techniques to use in remote interviews vs. in-person interviews; what to expect in a TV studio and understanding TV optics; and understanding different types of media and rules of the road. Students become more comfortable in front of the camera and learn how to connect effectively with any audience. They become aware of strengths and weaknesses in their delivery and develop a course of action to address any problem areas.

The Public Health Response to Covid-19

Professor Nina Yamanis

Dates
June 20 & 28

Description
This course will discuss the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. First, students will learn the pillars of public health response to pandemics including social distancing, contact tracing, testing, communication, treatment, and research. ��We will then discuss several case studies to examine different country responses to the pandemic, and the political and historical factors that motivate them. ��In each context, we will consider how the pandemic affects marginalized groups and health inequities. ��Finally, we will consider progress towards emerging from this global crisis, and what public health trends to expect going forward.

Friends Don’t Let Friends Lie with Statistics: A Short Course on Causal Inference

Professor Seth Gershenson

Dates
July 11 & July 12

Description
This course builds on the tools of statistical analysis and multiple linear regression introduced in PUAD 601, 605, and 602 (though only 601/605 is a firm pre-requisite for MPP/MPA students, respectively). After quickly reviewing some basics of the OLS estimator and hypothesis testing, the course proceeds by discussing the so-called “credibility revolution” in modern micro-econometrics and program evaluation. The remaining bulk of the course, then, introduces the workhorse experimental and quasi-experimental methods for estimating and identifying causal effects. Specifically, this course introduces methods for identifying and estimating causal effects from experimental and non-experimental (observational) data, of both the cross-sectional and panel (longitudinal) variety. Upon completing the course, students should feel comfortable identifying, interpreting, and implementing these methods. Pre-requisite: PUAD 601 or PUAD 605 for MPP/MPA students.

How to Identify & Write Successful Grant Proposals

Professor Cara Seitchek

Dates
July 18 & July 25

Description
Designed for beginners and those who want to hone their skills, this intensive workshop teaches how to write proposals for special projects and general support. Instruction covers how to successfully write a proposal from start to finish, including defining program goals and objectives, establishing the need, and preparing a program evaluation and proposal budget. The course introduces you to widely used resources available on the Internet and at local libraries, and you gain practical tips for researching and identifying appropriate funders, establishing a relationship, and how to use foundation tax returns.

Counterfactuals and Contemporary Research Designs

Professor Scott Cunningham

Dates
Sept. 7 & 8

Description
This course is a series of lectures on contemporary research designs in the quantitative social sciences. It will introduce the attendees to both the philosophical foundations of modern theories of causality embedded in the idea of counterfactuals using the Neyman-Rubin potential outcomes framework as well as Pearl-Wright graphical modeling. The course will then go through selection on observable methods such as regression discontinuity (and matching if time permits) as well as selection on unobservable methods such as instrumental variables, differences-in-differences and synthetic control. Attendees will be given modest amount of exposure to implementation of these methods using Stata by circulating programs and datasets which can be done either alongside the speaker during lectures or outside of the lecture series at their convenience. Upon completing the course, students should be comfortable with the potential outcomes notation as well as the graphical models sufficient to interact with contemporary scholarship, as well as have gained basic competency in implementing research designs that depend crucially on estimating counterfactuals. Pre-requisites need only be a class on multivariate regression.

Core Principles of Data Visualization

Professor Jon Schwabish, Economist at the Urban Institute

Dates
Sept. 28 & 29

Description
This course provides a well-rounded introduction to the field of data visualization and presentation design. It introduces students to different graphic types and purposes, provides instruction on creating and giving more effective presentations, and teaches students to maximize the impact and transmission of information and research results via effective data visualizations.

How to Start, Market, and Write a Blog

Professor Miriam Zoila P Pérez

Dates
Oct. 6 & 20

Description
Blogging is a form of online publishing that has transformed the media and political landscape over the last decade. It provides individuals, publications and groups with the opportunity to influence public dialogue on the issues they care about, and speak directly to their unique audiences. Many organizations, companies and political leaders are looking for employees with blogging skills. It’s a medium that requires a myriad of skills: website creation, writing, social media, marketing and strategy. This course will introduce students to all the basic skills necessary to create, design, launch, market and write an original blog. Students will be asked to create their own blog, including a number of original posts and marketing material.

Op-Eds that Change Minds - Or Change The World

Professor Libby Nelson

Dates
Oct. 12 & 26

Description
Even in an era of tweetstorms and podcasts, the good old guest column remains one of the best ways to get your ideas to a broad audience. But writing a great 800-word column is harder than it looks. From pitching an idea and honing an angle to coming to terms with not writing your own headline, this course will prepare you to pitch an op-ed that pops to major publications.

How to Lobby Congressional Staff

Professor Doug Steiger

Dates
Nov. 2 & 9

Description
Most of the time, people who advocate to Congress will meet with staff of the members of Congress, not the elected officials themselves. This course will provide insight to help one be an effective lobbyist of staff, no matter what issue matters to you, including an opportunity to practice making a presentation. It will be taught by a former Senate committee staffer with more than a decade of experience who also served as a senior lobbyist for HHS during the Obama Administration.

Consensus-Building in Practice: The Paris Climate Agreement

Professor Paul Bledsoe

Dates
Nov. 5 & 19

Description
Consensus-building is a critical skill in international diplomatic negotiations, especially those like the UN climate change negotiations predicated on gaining consensus among all nations. This course will examine how the Paris Agreement on climate change was created, with particular focus on the key role of various consensus-building efforts around key agreement features, examining how and why key elements emerged and gained support, and the roles of the US, EU, China and UN, with the explicit goal of developing student consensus-building skills.

The course will also analyze the major elements of the Agreement, including voluntary national determined emissions contributions, emissions reporting and monitoring regimes, funding for developing countries greenhouse gas mitigation and climate adaptation. The course will examine how countries are doing so far in meeting the Agreement goals, and what critical next steps must be negotiated for the Agreement to meet its goals regarding global emissions reductions and limiting global temperature increases to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Finally, the course will likewise investigate how President Donald Trump’s announced intention for the US to leave the Paris Agreement has influenced the attitudes of major nations, and other US institutions, toward the agreement, as well as growing support for the Agreement and climate action from private industry and civil society.

How to Start a Non-Profit

Professor Lewis Faulk, American University

Dates
May 18 & 19

Description
How to Start a Nonprofit (0/1) This course is structured as a hands-on workshop to guide students through the process of starting a nonprofit organization in the U.S. Students will learn the various organizational forms social entrepreneurs can use to pursue their missions, and they will learn the legal process on the state and federal levels to establish those organizations. Students will learn the advantages and disadvantages of different organizational forms as well as how to manage the potential legal and strategic pitfalls that confront startup organizations.

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