Course Syllabus

Practicum in International Policy Analysis

INTL-I 524 (3 credits) / Mode: in person

Meeting time: Monday and Wednesday, 3:55 – 5:10 pm 

Professor Zachary Constantino, Office Hours: 11 am - 2 pm on Thursday (email to request an appointment during these hours)

Full Syllabus (Microsoft Word Version)

Full Syllabus (PDF Version)

(Note: Please read the full syllabus linked above.)

COURSE OVERVIEW

Welcome!  This course is a practicum that emphasizes developing applied knowledge and practical skills essential to becoming effective policy champions.  Throughout the course, you will wear a “policy analyst hat” and learn how to critically approach and formulate deliverables drafted every day in the foreign policy community, such as action and information memorandums, policy emails, issue briefs, and talking points for executive decision-makers.  You will also learn briefing techniques designed to articulate clear and cogent positions for busy audiences.  In short, you will learn by doing. 

The course will consist of lectures and class discussions on Monday and Wednesday, accompanied by practical exercises and instructor feedback to hone your skills as a policy analyst.  The course culminates in a multi-stage international security crisis simulation that brings together everything you have learned in an immersive, hands-on experience. 

Students who attend may be seeking careers in international affairs and public service, such as diplomacy, intelligence, or a related national security field. In addition, the competencies cultivated in this course also have considerable utility in the private and non-profit sectors, which seek professionals who can quickly cut through the noise and articulate bottom lines up front with clarity and precision. 

Learning Goals and Outcomes

• Learn how to develop clear bottom lines and arguments to influence senior decision-makers.
• Recognize and interpret the various genres of policy products and the types of evidence and analysis commonly used in policy debates and argumentation.
• Practice writing products to maximize impact with policy readers who have little time and expect clear decision points backed by sound argumentation.
• Deliver oral presentations with confidence and effect while handling difficult questions.

Course Materials

Course materials will be posted on canvas.iu.edu or distributed during class sessions.  You are not required to purchase any books. Please review the posted readings by the specified due dates to stay prepared for class discussions and assignments.

ASSIGNMENTS, ATTENDANCE, AND EVALUATION

Participation and Attendance (25%): This class works best when students actively participate.  I take attendance by circulating an attendance sheet at the start of each class. Students who do well show up, ask questions, and demonstrate intellectual curiosity.  A substantial portion of class will be guidance for the writing assignments and crisis simulation; therefore, missing multiple classes will harm your ability to complete the course requirements.   

If you plan to miss the entirety or some portion of class, you must promptly notify me with a valid justification (e.g., illness, family emergency, religious observance) to secure an excused absence.  Missing class or arriving late because of work or poor scheduling is not a valid excuse.  You know when the class convenes in advance and should plan accordingly. Punctuality will serve you well in your career and is the mark of a professional.

Communication is essential.  Notifying me early of any significant changes to your circumstances that affect your ability to participate in class will help us both find a constructive path forward. 

Unless you have a documented need to use certain types of technology in class, I ban laptops and other electronic devices. Studies show retention of material in class strongly correlates with learning in an environment free of electronic distractions.   

When emailing me, use professional language, state your purpose clearly, and be concise. Developing good email habits early will help you communicate effectively and be taken seriously in professional settings.

Policy Assignments (50%): You will write four policy products in this class and conduct a briefing exercise:

• Issue Brief: Guidance for this assignment will be distributed on September 16. Due on October 2 (10% of your final grade).
• Policy email: Guidance for this assignment will be distributed on September 23. Due on October 16 (10% of your final grade).
• Information Memorandum: Guidance for this assignment will be distributed on September 30. Due on October 30 (10% of your final grade).
• Action Memorandum: Guidance for this assignment will be distributed on October 7. Due on November 13 (10% of your final grade).
• Briefing Exercise: Guidance for a briefing assignment will be distributed on October 19. The briefing exercise will be held on November 4 (10% of your final grade).
• Extra Credit Assignment: We will review the art of crafting talking points on October 12. I will distribute an optional extra credit assignment that day. 

Crisis Simulation (25%): The semester will culminate in a multi-stage simulation where you will role-play U.S. officials grappling with an international crisis.  You will vote on which crisis to tackle, based on a menu of options I provide.  I will distribute the simulation guidance and associated material on October 26.  The crisis simulation is a critical-thinking exercise that tests your ability to apply knowledge learned in the course.

The translation between numerical and letter grades is as follows: