International Security and Economic Policy | Public Policy, University of Maryland

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International Security & Economic Policy (ISEP)

Over the past half-century, national governments have addressed international security and economic issues largely along separate tracks. The ISEP specialization is built on the premise that this no longer makes sense. The process commonly known as globalization is setting the context and posing the principal problems expected to drive public policy for the foreseeable future. This involves interactions across a range of substantive issues in general, and between security and economic issues in particular. Hence we need a new generation of public officials versed in both.

The International Security and Economic Policy addresses this need by offering grounding in both spheres, with students brought to address first-order 21^st century challenges ranging from international financial crises and trade conflicts to the rise of endemic conflicts involving terrorism and increasing access to destructive technology. The program also confronts the gap between the need for international management of these issues and the state of current international institutions. Finally, students are encouraged to take courses in related MSPP specializations such as Environmental Policy (ENV) and International Development (IDEV).

ISEP Alumni Jobs

Analyst, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
Assistant Director for Resource Management, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Defense Analyst, U.S. Government Accountability Office
Delegate, U.S. Mission to the U.N.
Deputy Director, Program on Crisis, Conflict and Cooperation, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Economic Analyst, U.S. Department of Defense
Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, South Korea
Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
International Affairs Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
Legislative Direction and Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Congressman Gary L. Ackerman
Presidential Management Fellow, US. Department of the Treasury
Program Analyst, Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Research Assistant Professor, George Mason University
Special Assistant to Under-Secretary of Political Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Senior Policy Analyst, Ploughshares Fund
Squadron Section Commander, U.S. Air Force
Trade and Defense Analyst, U.S. Department of Commerce

ISEP Specialization Curriculum

In addition to meeting the overall requirements of their degree program, students electing to specialize in international security and economic policy take the following required courses:

International Security Policy (PUAF 720) Reviews the organizing concepts, substantive content and institutional arrangements of contemporary international security policy. Assesses the balance of interests from a variety of national perspectives and some of the major unresolved issues.

International Economic Policy (PUAF 781) Examines current issues and institutions affecting international economic relations. Topics include theories of the international economy and trade, international monetary policy and exchange rates, international development, investment and finance, selected regional issues, and broader macroeconomic interdependence and policy coordination.

The American Foreign Policy-Making Process (PUAF 780) Surveys U.S. institutions and processes for making foreign policy, both security and economic. Explores decision-making theories and their relevance to Washington practice, with particular emphasis on how specific presidents have shaped the policy process.

MPP Students Only: ISEP Project Course (PUAF 790) Students analyze and recommend responses to a current policy issue of their choice. Emphasizes problem definition, organization of information, and presentation of results. Students begin work in the fall term and complete their projects in the spring with both analytic papers and formal presentations to the ISEP faculty/student community.

Students must also take at least one ISEP elective, and most take several. Options include the following (not all are offered every year):

Arms Control and Nonproliferation (PUAF 798M)

Civil Conflict (PUAF 699K)

Current Issues in Federal Acquisition (PUAF 689F)

Democracy & Democratization (PUAF 698Q)

Disease, Disaster & Development (PUAF 699D)

Ethics, Development, and Foreign Aid (PUAF 698O)

Ethics of War and Conflict (PUAF 798Q)

Forecasting and Analyzing Political Violence (PUAF 789V)

Globalization, Business, and Development (PUAF 699Y)

Homeland Security (PUAF 699V)

International Development Economics (PUAF 782)

International Law and Institutions (PUAF 798C)

Intelligence and National Security (PUAF 698N)

Intelligence and Policy (PUAF 698C)

U.S, Defense Policy and Planning (PUAF 798D)

U.S. Trade: Policy and Politics (PUAF 700)

Typical MPP Student ISEP Academic Plan

Like other MSPP students, those specializing in ISEP will typically begin with core courses (e.g., PUAF 610, Quantitative Analysis; PUAF 640, Microeconomic Analysis) and take most their specialization courses in later terms. For the student entering in the fall and planning to graduate in two years, the faculty suggests three core courses and one ISEP course in the first term, then two or three core courses in the second term with one or two ISEP courses. The second year can then be devoted mainly to ISEP courses and MSPP electives.

With reference to the specific core curriculum choice of Public Finance or Macroeconomic Policy (PUAF 641), ISEP students are required to take Macroeconomic Policy because of its connection to International Economic Policy.

ISEP Town Hall

Each semester, the chairperson of each specialization holds a Town Hall. At this event, students and faculty discuss course offerings for the upcoming semesters, changes to the specialization and solicit feedback for improvements. Suggestions from previous Town Halls have resulted in new courses. Student led specialization councils also describe their current activities and efforts for student advocacy and engagement. These events are the best way for students to get a comprehensive overview of the specialization and to shape its future direction.

Proposed courses for Fall 2012-Spring 2013 semesters (subject to change).

Primary ISEP Faculty

Name		Expertise
	Crocker, David Senior Research Scholar, IPPP	Ethics, development, foreign aid; democratization, and human rights
	Destler, I. M. (Mac) Professor & Director, ISEP Program & Senior Fellow, CISSM	US foreign policymaking, trade and trade politics, US-Japan relations, public opinion, the presidency and the Congress
	Fetter, Steve Professor	Nuclear arms control and nonproliferation, nuclear energy and radiation, climate change and energy supply
	Gallagher, Nancy Senior Research Scholar & Research Director, CISSM	Global security, arms control and verification, nuclear policy, space activities, international relations theory
	Gansler, Jacques Professor; Director of the Center for Public Policy and Private Enterprise (CPPPE); and Roger C. Lipitz Chair.	National security, globalization, supply-chain management, government acquisition, advanced technology, public-private partnerships, competition, defense industry, DOD management
	Kelleher, Catherine College Park Professor (on leave)	American foreign policy, national security, arms control
	Kull, Steven Director, Program on International Policy Attitudes	Public opinion and foreign policy
	Levine, Daniel Assistant Professor, MSPP Assistant Research Scholar, IPPP	Political and moral philosophy, philosophy of law, international law, peacekeeping, civil conflict, African security
	Nolte, William Senior Research Professor	Intelligence, homeland security
	Schelling, Thomas Distinguished Professor Emeritus	Foreign affairs, national security, nuclear strategy and arms control
	Schwab, Susan Professor; U.S. Trade Representative (and Deputy USTR), 2005-2009	Trade, international business, development, globalization
	Siegel, Jonas Research Associate, CISSM	Nuclear issues
	Steinbruner, John Professor & Director, CISSM	International security policy and associated institutional arrangements; US defense policy and associated bilateral relationships
	Swagel, Phillip Professor	International economic policy, financial markets, macroeconomics