Basic Skills

These courses help refine the fundamental skills required to be successful in the majority of international affairs careers.

Analytical Writing for International Students
This course will help international students to improve their analytical writing. This course is intended primarily for non-native English speakers and students whose background is in educational systems other than those of North America. (Fall)

Ethics in International Affairs
This course will examine the traditional understandings of international ethics held during the twentieth century. The course will look at whether these ethical understandings can help to address today's fearful and uncertain international situation. (Spring)

Introduction to Editing
This course will introduce students to editing and to the publishing process more generally. Students will receive basic training in proofreading and editing their own and other's work, in the process, they will become aware of the most common problem addressed by editors. (Fall)

Formal Briefing
This course explores the why, what, and how of creating and presenting information to an audience. It will start with why briefings are an important mode of expression, and why storytelling is the single most important consideration in conceptual design. (Spring/Fall)

Op-Ed Writing Skills
This course will explore what makes a successful Op-Ed; how to write an Op-Ed; how to critique an Op-Ed and make it better; and how to place an Op-Ed. In short, the purpose of the course is to write better and more effective Op-Ed pieces on public policy topics. (Fall)

Principles of Financial Statement Analysis
This course will provide an introduction to the analysis and interpretation of corporate financial statements. Emphasis will be given to placing financial information and its analysis within a business context. Students will learn basic financial analysis tools and apply them to real world examples. (Spring)

Public Speaking
This course will focus on speech construction and delivery, including: topic selection, research, organization, support materials, audience adaptation, visual aids, and presentation. (Fall/Spring)

Writing for International Affairs Professionals
This course will involve a series of short written assignments that are drawn from actual needs occurring in the workplace. These will include memos and briefings. While correct grammar is important, the focus of this course will be on rapidly producing written materials that are crystal clear, concise and accurate. This means that research is not necessary and the facts and background for each assignment can be drawn from experience, current events or previous assignments. (Fall/Spring)