The Maxwell School
Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Here is the preliminary list of courses to be offered in the fall. Note that some courses have PST as their prefix and others have PAI. Courses numbered 300, 400, or 410 can be repeated when their topics vary.
Taught by Richard Barton on Mon, Wed and Fri 12:45-1:40 in Maxwell Auditorium. Develops research and problem solving skills to create government policies that address current social and economic problems facing the United States. Students study policy problems of their choice. 3 credits.
PST 101 for honors students. Meets with the regular PST 101 lecture on Mon, Wed and Fri 12:45-1:40 in Maxwell Auditorium but adds a discussion section taught by Bill Coplin on Mon 2:15-3:10 in Eggers 225B. 3 credits.
Taught by Michelle Walker on selected Tuesdays 5:00-6:20 in Maxwell Auditorium. Students investigate the societal issues affecting members of the Syracuse community by completing a 35 hour community service requirement, attending 5 class meetings to reflect on their experiences, and completing weekly journals and two paper assignments. 1 credit.
Taught by Pete Wilcoxen on Tue & Thu 2:00-3:20 in Bowne 104. Covers core concepts in economics related to decision making and policy analysis. Can be substituted for ECN 101 or 102 in the core requirements for Policy Studies majors. 3 credits.
Taught by Zach Huitink on Tue & Thu 2:00-3:20 in School of Management 011. Examines the tools governments use to implement public policy, and develops sought-after skills including implementation planning, project management, working effectively with outside organization and techniques for assessing how policies impact people and communities. 3 credits.
Taught by Jack Reilly on Wed 9:30-12:15 in Falk 101. Opportunity to develop competencies in the application of social science methods to public policy problems. Requires PST 101 and consent of the department (must have MAX 201 or equivalent). Limited to juniors and seniors. 3 credits.
Taught by Minjung Kim on Mon 2:15-5:00 in Eggers 060. Students develop skills and gain knowledge about organizations that influence and implement public policy. Students are placed in community agencies for about 100 hours of work or work in applied research projects conducted by faculty. Requires PST 101, PST 315, and consent of the department. 3 credits.
Taught by Michiko Ueda on Mon & Wed 12:45-2:05 in HL 115. Addresses challenges related to mental health policies in the United States and explores policy reforms and intervention strategies to treat or prevent psychiatric illnesses, suicide and suicidal behavior, loneliness and social isolation, and opioid overdose and abuse. 3 credits.
Taught by Michah Rothbart on Tue 2:00-4:45 in Eggers 209. This course explores how to use information in public budgets for policymaking, examining how different governments and nonprofit organizations present and manage financial information. Students will gain a deeper understanding of budgeting practices, learning to interpret budgets and the stories they tell about public organizations and their performance. No prior accounting or budgeting experience is required. 3 credits.
Please see the entry in the Core Courses section.
Taught by Jay Golden on Mondays and Wednesdays 12:45-2:05 in Steele 206. This applied learning course is intended for those students across the Syracuse campus interested in undertaking a deeper and data-driven exploration of the dynamics of the sustainability transition through the lens of corporations and government agencies. 3 credits.
Taught by Robert Murrett and Kris Patel on Mon & Wed 2:15-3:35 in Eggers 032. Meets with IRP 338. This course covers the structure and function of the U.S. intelligence community through a discussion of history, cases and methods, as well as writing and analytical skills needed for careers in intelligence community. 3 credits.
Taught by Paul Driscoll on Thu 5:00-7:45 in HL 211. Introduces housing policy at the federal, state and local level by looking at efforts in Syracuse to provide homeownership to the working poor and to improve the City’s housing stock. PST 101 required. 3 credits.
Taught by Jack Reilly on Tue & Thu 2:00-3:20 in Marshall Square Mall 205A. This course is designed for all students who intend to conduct quantitative research on large datasets in policy studies and related areas. We will take a highly pragmatic approach to data analysis, focusing both on applied statistical analysis as well as the actual practice of utilizing and managing data in policy studies and the social sciences. Prior coursework in quantitative methods, such as MAX201, is required. Requires consent of the instructor to confirm appropriate background. 3 credits.
Taught by Richard Barton on Mon & Wed 3:45-5:05 in Eggers 209. Assists students in completing a policy-related honors thesis or a directed study research project. This class emphasizes a deep dive into a single, focuses topic to further develop students’ research, information literacy, writing, and presentation skills. Requires PST 315 and consent of the instructor. 3 credits.
Taught by Kris Patel on Tue & Thu 3:30-4:50 in Heroy 114. This course examines how government and private sector intelligence analysts apply structured analytic techniques to identify and assess national security and foreign policy risks and trends. The course uses case studies and hands-on exercises to demonstrate how these techniques have been used to understand North Korean nuclear intentions, Russian offensive propaganda, the 2010 Arab Spring, and potential terrorist group activities. 3 credits.
Taught by Richard Barton on Mon, Wed & Fri 11:40-12:35 in Eggers 225B. Introduces students to current public policy problems through a variety of research techniques. By invitation only. Requires consent of the department. 3 credits.
Taught by Bill Coplin, Wed 2:15-5:00 in Eggers 225B. Study the hundreds of nonprofit and government agencies in Onondaga county and approach them to submit proposal for research projects, interns and volunteers for the Spring 2026 semester. Students will practice marketing and sales skills used by consulting and staffing firms in obtaining clients. Requires consent of the department. 3 credits.
Taught by Kris Patel , Tue & Thu 12:30-1:50 in Eggers 111. Examines how US government agencies--law enforcement, regulators, national security organizations, and the military--collaborate with international partners, non-profit organizations, and the financial industry to identify, assess, and combat financial crime threats, including money laundering, sanctions evasion, and human trafficking. 3 credits.
Taught by Bill Coplin on Fri 11:40-12:35 in Maxwell Auditorium. Not open to Policy Studies majors. 1 credit.
Taught by Laura McArdle on Fri 11:40-12:35 in Heroy Auditorium. Not open to Policy Studies majors. 1 credit.
Whitman students only. Policy Studies majors should enroll in PST 110.1 instead.
Sadler Leadership Learning Community only.
Sadler Leadership Learning Community only.