Master of Science in Foreign Service

Workshops

(Students may register for only one workshop in their 2-year program.)

MSFS students are required to take a workshop the Fall of their second year. Workshops are action-oriented, and emphasize identifying the basis for decision-making, and assessing proposed measures in terms of impact. Participants analyze international policies from an operational perspective focused on identifying and solving problems by learning techniques such as policy briefings, speech writing, budget analysis and public expression.

MSFS-714-01 Workshop: Foreign Policy Formulation

Prof. Peter Romero

This course examines decision making processes in large organizations, focusing on the formulation of US foreign policy. Topics with illustrate the breadth and scope of the information upon which these decisions are based and the role of the analyst in providing factual, timely, and comprehensive briefings to principals. Students will investigate and analyze policy decisions and the information flow that went into these decisions as they relate to organizational biases.
Students will be required to participate in simulations as briefers, principals and observers related to (inter-alia): the Congressional debate on CAFTA; the decision to go to war in ; planning for a post-Castro ; and the formulation of an effective policy towards . In taking on the roles of briefers and principals from distinct Federal agencies and branches of the US Government, lectures and interviews with active-duty and retired Federal officers will prepare
students for these presentations in learning about "organizational culture" within these entities. Also assigned reading and lectures will provide an historical and comparative context for these
simulations. During the latter third of the semester, students will construct and defend ten guiding principles for policy post 2008. To prepare, there will be assigned readings and lectures on this topic. Students will be evaluated primarily on the quality of their oral and written presentations in the simulations. There will be a written mid-term examination.

MSFS-715-01 Workshop: Organization and Management of International Intervention

Major General (ret.) William Nash, Director, Center for Preventive Action, Council on Foreign Relations

Virtually every aspect of an intervention is subject to controversy: whether or not to intervene; the legality and morality of action or inaction; the means of implementation; the criteria for success; and the responsibilities of the intervening party or parties. The underlying assumption for our work will be that the quality of the conduct of all phases of an intervention has a bearing on the legitimacy of that intervention.

This workshop will examine leadership, structures, organizational plans, and procedures associated with national and international management of interventions in conflict and post-conflict situations. Using case studies, simulations, readings, and discussions with practitioners, students will investigate different methods to develop, direct, and integrate the political, economic, social, and security strategies required to successfully manage complex interventions.

Case studies will include Kosovo, East Timor, Sierra Leone and . We will include in our work an examination of government management structures for post-conflict operations with a view towards improving capacity to deal with post-conflict challenges.

MSFS-717-01 Workshop: Creating a 21st Century Diplomacy

Prof. M. Grossman

The profession of diplomacy and the role of the diplomat are rapidly changing. The existing system of representation of nation states has collided with the 24-hour media cycle, terrorism, globalization, climate change, proliferation, changes in demography and stresses on the institutions which make up the post-1945 landscape. Can diplomacy help meet the challenges of the 21st century?

Students will consider what should constitute the practice of 21st century diplomacy and then apply these ideas to real world challenges through presentations and role-plays. Success will require doing the assigned readings, preparing an oral presentation, participating in the role-play/simulations, conducting interviews with practitioners, and completing the written work.

MSFS-735-01 Workshop: Global Finance

Profs Michael Callen and Robert Bailey, former Citicorp Executives.

This workshop will explore the forces revolutionizing the world of finance. Participants will be expected to conduct individual and team research into current and expected consolidation in the industry. Discussion will center on the functions performed in the global financial system: intermediation, the payments process, and risk management.

MSFS-740-01 Workshop: Strategy and Management Problem Solving

Prof. Ross Harrison

This workshop will provide students with working familiarity with the strategic, analytic and communications methods used by strategic planners, problem intervention teams, general managers/profit center managers and outside consultants.

The first part of the course (weeks 1-6) will deal with high level strategy and will address issues and challenges of the large business firm that operates globally or is “globalizing” its scope. We will begin with a survey of general business strategy literature and concepts covering topics such as industry structure, competitive advantage, core competencies, and product differentiation. With this as a foundation, the course will engage a variety of strategic issues that accompany international or global business operations. These include country market selection, brand management and other marketing challenges, intellectual property protection, alliances and joint ventures, sourcing and supply chain management, organization design, and cross-cultural management.

The second part of the course (weeks 7-14) will focus on industry analysis and corresponding corporate strategies for operating within these globally-organized industries. Industries to be covered include autos, consumer products, retailing, financial services, information technology, telecommunications, airlines, aerospace, energy, mining, pharmaceuticals and biotech, and media and entertainment. Among the practical skills to be practiced in the course is industry structure analysis.

The entire course will operate at two levels reflecting, to some extent, the scope of work done by leading consulting firms for large corporates. The course will treat 1) high level strategy—global, regional and major market strategy. At the same time the course will provide experience in specific 2) problem diagnosis and solution strategies/tactics—a more ground level kind of assignment. This aspect of the course will have four intersecting thrusts: business and organizational problems…across a variety of industries…in a range of geographic contexts…requiring a spectrum of applicable diagnostic and analytical methods

MSFS-746-01 Workshop: Managing Development

Prof. Rolf Sartorius, President, Social Impact, Inc.

Development management is a specialized management discipline focused on achieving social goals and it typically involves consensus building among diverse groups with differing values. Development managers need to work collaboratively with local groups to design, manage and evaluate projects, programs and policy reform activities. They may also be engaged to assess and strengthen local organizations that provide services to poor people. The ability to understand and respond to the special needs of women and vulnerable groups is central to development management.

Drawing on current international “good practices” this graduate workshop provides students with practical tools, skills and methods for managing development and social change. The workshop addresses the management challenges faced by the international development agencies--and specifically, the role and skills of development managers--in enhancing development effectiveness. Combined with the Development Management Skills Clinics the workshop will provide students with a comprehensive, state-of-the practice--and highly marketable--skill set for launching their careers in international development. The course is also intended to provide students with a critical insight into their personal attitudes and biases in managing development and social change. Through a required consulting project students gain practical consulting skills and insight into how to influence (rather than control) change in a client setting.

Course topics include:
• development management as a unique management discipline
• building and managing teams
• gender analysis and social analysis
• assessing development project quality
• structuring project organizations
• developing monitoring and evaluation systems
• project scheduling and budgeting
• developing winning project proposals
• assessing and building organizational capacity
• planning and managing partnerships
• managing policy reform

Using a variety of hands-on case material, experience-based assignments and team-based methods, students will address critical development management issues through work on a sampling of “live” projects in HIV/AIDS, environment, poverty alleviation, education and private sector development. Class discussions and assignments may be supplemented by several guest lectures by leading practitioners.

Students also will complete a team-based consulting assignment in development management for a development agency in Washington, DC. Previous client agencies have included the World Bank, USAID and a variety of NGOs. Typical assignments may involve supporting a project design activity, designing a monitoring and evaluation system for a new program, conducting an organizational assessment, assessing a development project portfolio, completing a gender analysis, or supporting a strategic planning activity.