Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures
The Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures Focus Area is designed for students who are interested in the fast-paced world of the public sector. It’s also perfect for career pivoters interested in current events and those completing courses in preparation for graduate studies in the political sciences, law, and related fields.
Working with dedicated advisors to create a customized curriculum, visiting students have the opportunity to take curated courses in anthropology, English, history, human rights, international affairs, political science, psychology, religion, sociology, and more. Students enroll in two courses that can be completed in either one or two six-week sessions. Those who complete two courses in the Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures Focus Area will receive a Certification of Participation and a Columbia University transcript.
Columbia’s theory-meets-practice model pairs coursework with subject-specific co-curriculars for students in the Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures Focus Area.
Co-curricular activities may include:
- World Environment Day & UN Tour
- Governor’s Island Tour
- Earth Institute Tour
- Hudson River Day Trip Tour
Visiting students study alongside matriculated students at Columbia University and have the same access to top faculty at Columbia’s School of Arts & Sciences academic departments. In Summer Session B, students can also take advantage of on-campus housing and join a Living and Learning Community. This holistic program provides students a one-of-a-kind learning experience, offering the chance to study in the only Ivy League university in New York City while connecting with a cohort of like-minded peers.
Program Features
Learn more about the Focus Areas for Visiting StudentsCourses
Anthropology
- ANTH1002S 001 Interpretation of Culture
Astronomy
- ASTR1403S 001 Earth, Moon, and Planets
Earth and Environmental Sciences
- EESC1004S 001 Dinosaurs and the History of the World
- EESC4921S 001 Paleoceanography
Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology
- EEEB1001S 001-002 Biodiversity
- EEEB1115S 001 The Life Aquatic
- EEEB3015S 001 Animal Behavior Thru Fieldwork
History
- HIST3428S 001 US Presidency from Washington to Trump
- HIST3644Q 001 Modern Jewish Intellectual History
- HIST3596S 001 History of Latinos/as in the U.S.
- HIST3455S 001 Global History of the US Military
- HIST4981S 001 From Marx to May ‘68: Revolution and Radical Politics
Human Rights
- HRTS4020S 001 Introduction to Human Rights
- HRTS4050W 001 Gun Violence and Human Rights
- HRTS4185S 001 Human Rights and Global Economic Justice
- HRTS4220S 001 International Human Rights Law
- HRTS4260W 001 Human Rights and Populism
International Affairs
- INTL6540S001 The UN & World Politics
- INTL6552S 001 United Nations & Human Rights
- INTL6559S 001 UN & Maintenance of Intl Peace
- INTL6569S 001 UN and Development
- INTL6572S 001 Comparative Foreign Policy
- INTL6795S 001 US Foreign Policy
- INTL6797S 001 Special Operations & National Security
- INTL6800S 001 International Relations: Theory & Concepts
- INTL6801S 001 East Asian Security
Journalism
- JOUR3019S 001 War Reporting: The Coverage of Armed Conflict
Philosophy
- PHIL3751S 001 Political Philosophy
Political Science
- POLS1201S 001 Intro to American Government & Politics
- POLS1601S 001 Intro to International Relations
- POLS3108S D01 Democracy: Theory and Practice
- POLS3210W 001 Judicial Politics
- POLS3628S 001 Advances in International Political Economy
- POLS3720S 001 Scope & Methods
- POLS3919UN 001 Seminar in Political Theory: Environment and Climate Justice
- POLS4811S 001 Global Energy: Security and Geopolitics
- POLS4832S 001 Strategic Intelligence
Religion
- RELI3882W 001 Doctrine of Discovery
Sociology
- SOCI3670S 001 Sociology of Work & Occupation
- SOCI3671S 001 Media, Culture and Society