SPS Alumni Course Audit Form

Instructor: David Donat-Cattin

This course introduces the fundamental concepts and problems of public international law. What are the origins of international law? What are the characteristics of international law and its “international community”? Who is governed by it (States, International Organizations, individuals, governments in exile, and rebel groups/insurrectional movements, as well as non state actors) and what are its sources (i.e., treaties, customs, and general principles of law)? How are treaties interpreted? What is the relationship between international law and domestic law? We examine the interplay between law and international politics, in particular with reference to the laws of war, the use of force including the so-called 'humanitarian intervention', international organizations and their founding treaties, and the system of international criminal justice, with specific reference to the jurisdictional system created by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) of 1998.

Instructor: Colette Mazzucelli

The fall of the Berlin Wall on 11/9/1989 through the destruction of the Twin Towers on 9/11/2001 marked a pivotal epoch that bridged millennia and shattered the peace. This course analyzes the dynamics of ethnic conflict in comparative perspective emphasizing the influence of culture, history, identity, leadership, and nationalism as well as the evolving influence, constructive and destructive, of new technologies. The arguments of Appadurai, Kapuscinski, Jesse and Williams, and Fukuyama are analyzed with those of other analysts to provide a conceptual orientation for our interactions with scholars and practitioners in the field. Our understanding of conflict in Guatemala, Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, and India in the late 20th and early 21st century impact on the way in which relations among nations after the Cold War were interpreted -- less rational and structural, as during the period 1945-89 -- and influenced more by culture, identity, and religion. A discussion of specific conflicts in terms of the primordial (ancient hatreds) and social constructionist schools (elite (political entrepreneur) manipulation/ modernization), complements our analysis of factors having an impact on deep-rooted conflict, namely, decolonization, the end of the Cold War, and the state in crisis. Modules dedicated to racial tensions in America are integrated as well into the seminar design.

Instructor: Oleg Smirnov

This course introduces the principles and practice of quantitative analysis for social science research. Rather than emphasizing mathematical derivations, the course focuses on using statistical tools to analyze data and to understand relationships among social, political, and economic phenomena. The course begins by examining the goals and logic of quantitative research, followed by core statistical concepts and methods. Covered subjects include measurement and description of variables, data entry and management, data visualization, hypothesis testing, interpretation of statistical output, and an introduction to regression analysis. Students will develop proficiency in conducting statistical analyses using STATA.

Instructor: Stela Lupusor

In this course, the workplace is examined as a system, and the roles of information, data, technology solutions and its integration with the physical workplace design are explored to facilitate the specification, development, implementation and maintenance of digital workplace design to support orchestration of work in the most optimal way. HR has an opportunity to step into the role of intermediary to shape the integration of the worker experience across the physical and technical realms to design a Digital Workplace that can maximize the effectiveness of workers, increase collaboration, create opportunities for innovation and strengthen the organizational culture and cohesiveness. Students will explore the changing nature of work- and information-flow within organizations; physical and digital workplace integration, worker centered design, technologies that are enabling digital workplace design and decision support; impact on HR's roles and processes; implications of working in a digital workplace. In response to today's societal concerns, the course addresses protecting people and information, impact on worker's well-being and mental health, computer crime and forensics. Real-world projects, case studies and hands-on assignments will be used.

Instructor: Albert Rizzo

This course will allow students to specialize in the areas of law governing labor relations and employee rights in the workplace. Special topics will include: collective bargaining; union organizing; de-certification of the union; laws against discrimination; disability law; privacy; and employment litigation. Other subjects will include handling EEOC complaints and working with legal counsel on the resolution of those complaints.

Instructor: Elizabeth Miller

This course prepares students to analyze operational and strategic business situations and select appropriate and optimal courses of action. Using quantitative tools, students learn to analyze the operation, employ sound critical decision making to initiate appropriate action, and move the organization to creative problem-solving. This course provides students with the tools and techniques required to manage these processes efficiently and make decisions effectively.

Instructor: Joel Franks

This course introduces theory and research regarding the interactive process between the client and the practitioner. The course provides students with the tools and techniques to relate to clients on a more fundamental level by identifying body language, active listening, and interpreting linguistic signals. Students learn to build client relationships based on honesty and trust, master the art of active listening to help clients feel heard, and tailor communication to suit the individual client¿s needs. The course is based on using academic theory to become more effective at getting goal-oriented results from client engagements.

Instructor: Eve MacKnight

This course provides a framework for understanding and applying the philosophy, methodologies, principles, practices, and knowledge of structured project management. It focuses on the application of this framework to initiate, plan, execute, and manage projects and to address business problems and opportunities that an organization may face. Gaining both a theoretical and a practical foundation to manage projects, students participate in a simulation activity throughout the course. They can define a business problem, plan the delivery of a solution, execute that plan, and manage the completion of its deliverables. The content and subject matter are aligned with the current edition of the Project Management Institute's (PMI) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge.

Instructor: Sophie Plitt

This course explores the complexities of scientific and environmental writing. Students will practice and develop the skills to accurately explain scientific information clearly, concisely, and engagingly across various formats and topics. Students will evaluate research, synthesize findings, and interview subject matter experts during the semester. Students will craft copy for general audiences, experts, activists, and policymakers, focusing on producing accurate and evidence-based content. They will learn to support opinions and persuade target audiences using scientific data. A background in scientific or environmental fields is unnecessary for this course, but a willingness to learn about these areas is essential.

Instructor: Jean Campbell

This course surveys various banking and finance-related documents. Students get an overview of the types of documents a financial translator encounters daily. Among the topics covered are annual reports, articles of incorporation, bylaws, financial statements, guarantees, insurance, mutual funds, shareholders meetings, and taxes. Students are expected to make extensive use of the internet, other specialized terminology sources, and parallel documents.

Instructor: Laurence Ibrahim Aibo

This course provides an overview of the practice of translation and interpreting in educational settings. It sets out the legal framework of language access in the United States school system (K-12) and introduces students to the various stakeholders in educational settings (parents, students, educators, administrators, language access specialists, and translators and interpreters). Students learn about existing and developing national initiatives working to professionalize both disciplines and to develop best practices, codes of ethics, and standards of practice. Coursework includes theoretical knowledge, translation and interpreting practice, research skills development to gain subject matter knowledge, and glossary development. Students will gain an appreciation of typical materials needing translation, typical encounters needing interpreting and the modes of interpreting relevant for each type of encounter, common ethical dilemmas occurring in educational settings, and the challenges of special education as a specialized subject area. Since educational translation and interpreting services are largely geared toward Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals, students are expected to translate from English into their Languages Other Than English (LOTEs), and interpret to and from English and their LOTEs.