Washington D.C. is a rich environment for many kinds of learning beyond the classroom. In addition to the major institutions of national government, the city is an international capital that is home to over 150 foreign embassies and is the headquarters of hundreds of research think tanks, lobbying and advocacy groups.
This seminar incorporates student work experience three days a week in a Washington internship and provides twice-weekly sessions with a variety of Washington figures — legislators, administration officials, judges, lobbyists, US and foreign diplomats, and members of the American and international press.
Through an itinerary of speakers and site visits, our program will explore international issues of national defense, human security, global environmental policy, trade and foreign aid, as well as domestic policy questions related to race, housing, criminal justice, taxation, pollution, public health and inequality.
An example of meetings and visits from previous programs includes representatives from the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, the CIA, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Union of Concerned Citizens, the Truman Foundation, the Middle East Peace Research Institute, the New York Times, the Department of Energy, Politico, the World Bank, the Food Policy Research Institute, the Center for American Progress, the Urban Institute and several embassies or interest sections including Cuba, Iran and Canada.
The Washington D.C. program may be counted toward the Public Policy minor. During the term we emphasize student research on public policy analysis and evaluation. Students will work in teams to develop an analytic presentation on a contemporary policy area that is related to one or more of our site visits or guest speakers. They will also be encouraged to use the resources available in the city to enhance their research through expert interviews and/or the use of government libraries or archives sources.
While students are ultimately responsible for finding their own internships, the program will provide support and referrals throughout the process, working closely with the Career Center and the Carleton Alumni network. Students are asked to indicate their interest area at the time of application.
Students are encouraged to participate in the Washington D.C. program as sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Since 6 credits of the program may be counted toward the Economics major, one of either introductory macro or micro economics (ECON 110 or 111) or instructor permission is required. Introductory statistics (MATH 215 or STAT 120) or an equivalent research methods course (ex. SOAN 240) is highly recommended for successful participation in coursework. Seniors should complete their comprehensive exercise before attending the program.
18 Credits
Students will intern on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and attend seminars on Wednesday and Friday.
POSC 288: Politics and Public Policy in Washington, D.C. (6 credits)
Students will participate in a seminar centered around meetings with experts in areas of global and domestic politics and policy. Over the course of the term they will collaborate in groups to produce a presentation exploring the political dimensions of public policy with a focus on how problem identification, institutional capacity and stakeholder interests combine to shape policy options.
Instructor: Professor Marfleet
Econ 230: Policy Analysis in Washington, D.C. (6 credits)
Students will participate in a seminar centered around meetings with experts in areas of global and domestic politics and policy. Over the course of the term they will collaborate in groups to produce a presentation exploring the economic dimensions of public policy with a focus on identifying the costs and benefits to the various stakeholder groups and the methods economists use to measure those impacts.
Instructor: Professor Swoboda
POSC 293-07: Internship (6 Credits, S/CR/NC)
All students will intern in the office of a legislator, executive agency, interest group, or media outlet, keeping a journal of experiences and writing a summary paper.
Greg Marfleet, Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon Professor of Political Science and Aaron Swoboda, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Economics
Greg Marfleet co-led the 2012 and 2016 Washington D.C. off-campus programs. He teaches courses in international relations, security studies and foreign policy and is currently the director of Carleton’s Public Policy program.
Aaron Swoboda teaches courses in microeconomics, environmental economics, cost-benefit analysis, and data analysis. He has participated in Carleton Off-Campus Studies Programs to Cambridge, England, and Bangladesh.
Students will be housed in an apartment building with WiFi that is a fifteen-minute subway ride from Capitol Hill. Students may use the Library of Congress for research.
There will be multiple weekend excursions throughout D.C. including museums, galleries, exhibitions, cultural and sporting events.
Program dates roughly correspond to the Carleton academic term. Specific dates will be communicated to program participants.
All Carleton-sponsored 10-week off-campus study programs charge the Carleton comprehensive fee, which includes instruction, room and board, group excursions, public transportation, medical and evacuation insurance, travel assistance, and most cultural events.
Students are responsible for books and supplies, transportation to and from the program sites, and personal expenses and travel during the seminar. Students will receive a program-specific Additional Cost Estimate at the time of acceptance.
Student financial aid is applicable as on campus. See the Off-Campus Studies website for further information on billing, financial aid, and scholarships.
