Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - IS 800 G100

Problems of International Policy and Practice (4)

Class Number: 3173

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    VANCOUVER

  • Prerequisites:

    Graduate students enrolled in the MA in International Studies, or permission of the instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Highlights different perspectives on problems of international policy and practice. The particular problems taken up will change over time in light of global developments and current events. Will also feature guest lectures from IS faculty members, allowing student to acquaint themselves with their work and cutting-edge debates in their field.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is designed to focus on the skills and applications of research and writing that are relevant for and beyond academia, and which IS students will likely encounter across governmental, nongovernmental, and private sectors. Much of this work involves researching, over a relatively short period of time, what has been written about a specific topic or problem and organizing key arguments about it, including evaluating choices and developing recommendations for a course of action. This kind of work requires clarity of purpose, the capacity to identify and synthesize key ideas, honing of judgement, and economical and authoritative writing and presentation skills.

Students will develop a diverse set of research, analysis, writing and verbal communication skills through individual assignments and participation in group exercises and discussions. The assignments are of the type that students of International Studies may expect to be asked to take up in their professional careers. Each student will tailor the topics of several assignments to develop their specific research interests.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Develop and refine original, critically informed research questions and analytical frameworks that address complex problems, integrate relevant scholarship, and support rigorous, independent inquiry.
  • Collect, evaluate, and synthesize information from an array of sources, including academic research, policy reports, and practitioners.
  • Develop versatile written and oral communication styles to convey ideas and complex information to non-specialist audiences, including policy makers and the public.

Grading

  • Literature review (2500 words) with in-class work-in-progress presentation 25%
  • Op-ed essay, from prompt (max. 1000 words) 15%
  • Policy paper (max. 2000 words) 20%
  • Practitioner interview report and presentation (1000-word written report and 15-minute in-class presentation) 20%
  • Participation (assessed continuously through term, and includes participation in regular class discussions and exercises, as well as 1 peer review, and 1 executive summary of an organized SIS event) 20%

NOTES:

Soon after submitting the first three assignments (literature review, op-ed essay, and policy paper), each student will receive detailed written comments, and a projected letter grade, on them, and will have the opportunity to meet individually with the instructor to discuss the review comments and any planned revisions. Following receipt of the instructor’s review comments, students will be given the opportunity to revise and resubmit each of those assignments for their final assessments and grades.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

There are no required readings for the course assignments. Recommended readings for the course are provided in the weekly slides and course Canvas site. Students will be building their own individual libraries of relevant readings for their assignment topics. An important part of the course (and assessment) will be students’ identification and organization of relevant research sources, including ‘grey literature’ (e.g., literature produced by international organizations, research institutions, policy think-tanks, etc.) and, when relevant, news media.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.