Students participating in the Washington, D.C. Public Policy program will have the opportunity, through both coursework and an internship placement, to gain insight into how policy is made in the nation's capital. The courses taught in the program are policy-related and the internships into which students will be placed involve almost daily contact and discussion with governmental decision-makers or others involved in making or influencing government policy. In this way participants in the program will experience first-hand the intense activity inherent in Washington politics.
The President, Congress and Public Policy (1 credit)
This course examines the interaction between the President and Congress in the domestic and foreign policy processes. Students will examine contemporary politics and policymaking, and will assess the Bush administration’s interaction with Congress on various contemporary pubic policy concerns, including health care, HIV/AIDS policy, welfare, environmental protection, affirmative action, education, homeland security and economics policymaking. Considerable attention will be devoted to the modern conservative foundations for Bush’s policy initiatives and the response of modern liberals and the progressive Left. The roles of the President and Congress will be evaluated, and students will confront the system of separation of powers and checks and balances from a critical perspective.
The Economic Policy for the "New" Economy (1 credit)
During the past 40 years, the U.S. economy has experienced three long periods of sustained economic growth and prosperity: 1963-1969, 1983-1990 and 1992-2000. However, the economy has also suffered the highest level of inflation in our history (double digit inflation of the late 1970s), the lowest inflation rate in decades, the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression (10.8% in December 1982), the largest deficit and national debt in our history, a fleeting budget surplus for FY 1999 and now huge projected deficits for the foreseeable future. We have recently achieved what macroeconomists thought was impossible, low inflation and low unemployment and now we have high unemployment, moderate inflation, slow economic growth and the lowest interest rates in decades. This course will look at how the government has affected these changes and, more importantly, how it expects to use its traditional policy tools to attain revised policy goals. The structure of the economy has changed; how much will economic policymaking change to avoid mild and severe recessions in the future?
Seminar: National Decision Making (1 credit)
This seminar is designed to build upon students’ experiences in the internship placement. Students will have the opportunity: (1) to become intimately acquainted with the work of one actor (member of Congress, agency, interest group) in the America political system by participating in the work of that actor for the term; and (2) to bring the knowledge gained as a result of that participation to weekly seminar meetings where discussion and analysis of national economic policymaking will take place. The combination of the practical work experience with academic analysis will give each student an understanding of the importance of the political realities in the making of policy decisions. The students develop both a specific and broad understanding of decision-making institutions and processes through a variety of internships covering virtually every part of the public policy process. Students will be required to do a substantial research paper on a project or subject that is directly related to their internship experience.
Public Policy Internship (1 credit)
The internship is a central focus of the Washington program. Each student will be placed in an internship according to his or her particular academic and personal interests. The internship will be a full-time voluntary position (40+ hours per week) that will enable the student to be completely immersed in the public policy process. However, it is important to emphasize that while students have the opportunity to indicate a preference for the internship they would like to do, the sponsor organization is given an opportunity to choose. Most students are placed through the Colleges; however, a few may find their own internships (for example, with a member of Congress from their state or district.)
The Washington program will be of particular interest to students in economics and political science and, more broadly, to those interested in a variety of public policy issues.
This program is open to juniors and seniors in good academic and social standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5. All participants must successfully complete at least an introductory political science course (Pol Sci 120 - American Political System OR Public Policy 101) and an introductory economics course (Econ 160 - Principles of Economics) prior the program. Due to the challenging nature of off-campus study, student academic and disciplinary records will be carefully screened.
Students reside in “corporate”-style housing arranged by HWS, just outside of D.C. Normally, there will be four students in each apartment (two double bedrooms) and each apartment will be fully furnished including cooking facilities, linen, desks, etc. While the specific complex has not yet been determined, it will be in close proximity to the Metro and to shopping.
Occasional day trips in and around Washington will be included as part of the program.
Students will be charged standard HWS tuition and room fees and a $500 administrative fee. This will cover credit for a four-course semester, housing, and any program-related excursions. Note that no HWS board fee is charged: students should plan to bring their board fee (approximately $2400) to Washington to cover meal expenses. Additional expenses not covered include travel to/from Washington, books and personal expenses (laundry, entertainment, local ground transportation and independent travel). We estimate books at $250. It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of personal expenses because student spending habits differ considerably. We would suggest a minimum of $1,500, in addition to food money. However, students on a tight budget should be able to manage with less. If you are concerned about finances, we strongly encourage you to talk to the CGE staff who can offer information and advice based on your specific situation.
NOTE: The information contained in this brochure is subject to change. Please see the CGE for more information.