Washington Center

UCDC Courses

A list of courses can be accessed using the drop-down menu below. Select Fall Quarter & Semester 2023.

For *preliminary* information about each course, click on the course title.

Please note: In the event of low enrollment, a class may be cancelled. Students will be informed as soon as possible and enrolled in a different class.

Core Seminar

  • Presidency/Executive Branch Seminar / Quarter/Semester

    Quarter: 01/04/12 to 03/16/12
    Semester: 01/04/12 to 4/20/12

    The White House, located in the heart of downtown Washington and just a ten minute walk from UCDC, is an international symbol that simultaneously highlights the lofty promise of...

  • Washington Media Seminar - Sandalow Semester

    Open to Quarter and Semester Students Quarter: 09/18/2012 - 11/30/2012 Semester: 08/28/2012 - 12/06/2012 This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the...

  • Arts Core Seminar

    Spring Quarter-based Seminar: 3/27-6/08/2012 Arts Core Seminar ? This core seminar will be led by Roger Reynolds and is intended to fulfill the UCDC core seminar requirement for Arts majors. Students from the Music and/or Drama core cadres as well as...

  • Congress Core Research

    Spring Quarter-based Seminar: 3/28-6/08/2012 This thematic research seminar will explore the workings of Congress?the first branch under the Constitution?and its role in making public policy. The Instructional team includes two former Members of...

  • General Research Seminar - Bridges

    Spring Quarter-based Seminar: 3/27-6/08/2012

  • General Research Seminar/Desveaux/Quarter (UCLA)

    (Open to UCLA students only) This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the...

  • International Politics/International Policy

    Spring Quarter-based Seminar: 3/27-6/08/2012 This course is intended to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve in some way the subject matter of the course, in this case, international policy. The primary goal of...

  • Washington Focus

    Spring Quarter-based Seminar: 3/28-6/8/2012 (Open to UCI and UCR students ONLY) This course will introduce students to the political culture of the nation's capital. Our thematic approach will examine how Washington has evolved into one of the world's...

  • Washington Media Seminar

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room, the...

  • Media Core Seminar (Semester only)

    Semester only: August 30, 2012-December 6, 2012

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the...

  • Congress Core Research - Quarter/Semester

    Quarter: September 24, 2012-November 26, 2012 / Semester: September 10, 2012-December 3, 2012

    This research seminar will explore how Congress works and its role in the U.S. political system. Specifically, we will look at a range...

  • General Research Seminar - Bridges/ Quarter and Semester

    Quarter: September 21, 2012-November 30, 2012   /    Semester: August 31, 2012-December 7, 2012

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone...

  • General Research Seminar - Desveaux / Quarter and Semester

     Quarter: September 19, 2012-November 28, 2012     / Semester: September 10, 2012-December 5, 2012

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone...

  • General Research Seminar/Desveaux/Quarter only (UCLA)

     (UCLA only)

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students...

  • International Policy Seminar - Quarter & Semester

     Quarter: September 19, 2012-November 26, 2012       /        Semester: September 10, 2012, 2012-December 5, 2012

    This course is intended to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve in some way the subject...

  • International Policy Seminar - Quarter Only

    This research seminar is particularly aimed at students whose interests and/or internships involve international matters. It examines the making of foreign policy in the United States through the lens of U.S.-China ties. From the Korean War to...

  • Media Core Seminar (Quarter and Semester)

    Quarter only: September 20, 2012-November 29, 2012 meets on Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    Semester only: August 30, 2012-December 6, 2012 meets on Thursdays, 2 to 5 p.m. 

    This seminar will...

  • Presidency/Executive Branch Seminar / Quarter and Semester

    Quarter: September 21 to November 30, 2012      Semester: September 10 to December 3, 2012

    The White House, located in the heart of downtown Washington and just a ten minute walk from UCDC, is an international symbol that...

  • Washington Focus Seminar (UCI/UCR only)

     (UCR/UCI only)

    Knowing Washington. What do you know about Washington, DC? What do people in Washington DC – residents, political actors, visitors – know? This course will explore our city through various reflections of...

  • Congress Seminar - Quarter/Semester

    This seminar will explore the workings of Congress -- the first branch under the Constitution -- and its role in making public policy. It looks at the workings of Congress through the lens of...

  • General Research Seminar

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process of conducting focused...

  • General Research Seminar / Dallek / Quarter/Semester

    This seminar will draw on your internship, intellectual interests and your major to help you craft an original research paper. Our seminar will visit with Washington officials where we will discuss how research of all kinds influences the daily work of...

  • General Research Seminar/Desveaux/Quarter (UCLA)

    (UCLA only)   This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process of...

  • International Policy (Quarter only)

    Transnational Organized Crime: The challenges that organized crime pose to a state and its citizens are hardly new. Nor are the concerted efforts to eradicate or ameliorate them. What has changed, at least since the early 1990s, is the perception that...

  • International Policy Seminar - Quarter & Semester

    This course is intended to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy. The primary goal is gain an appreciation of the complex policy community—including governmental, non-governmental, and...

  • Media Core Seminar (Quarter and Semester)

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room, the...

  • Washington Focus Seminar (UCI/UCR only)

    What do you know about Washington, DC? What do people in Washington DC –residents, political actors, visitors -- know? This course will explore our city through these two...

  • Congress Seminar - Quarter/Semester

    This seminar will explore the workings of Congress -- the first branch under the Constitution -- and its role in making public policy. It looks at the workings of Congress through the lens of...

  • General Research Seminar

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process of conducting focused...

  • General Research Seminar / Dallek / Quarter/Semester

    This seminar will draw on your internship, intellectual interests and your major to help you craft an original research paper. Our seminar will visit with Washington officials where we will discuss how research of all kinds influences the daily work of...

  • International Policy Seminar - Quarter & Semester

    This course is intended to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy. The primary goal is gain an appreciation of the complex policy community—including governmental, non-governmental, and...

  • Media Core Seminar (Quarter and Semester)

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room, the...

  • Research Methods for the Social Sciences

    This course provides an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods in the social sciences. Topics address issues related to both theory building (eg, case studies and formal models) and theory testing (eg, observational studies,...

  • Arts Focus

    The Arts Focus Research Seminar meets for three hours weekly. Each student is expected to keep a daily journal regarding events in her/his workplace as well as the workplace environment itself. The purpose is to provide a basis in mind and discussion...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the workings of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy. It combines coursework with the original scholarship requirements of a UCDC research seminar and is...

  • General Research

    This seminar will draw on your internship, intellectual interests and major to help you craft an original research paper. Our seminar will visit with Washington officials where we will discuss how research of all kinds influences the daily work of...

  • General Research (UCLA only)

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process of conducting focused...

  • International Policy

     This research seminar will focus on the evolution of U.S. foreign policy abroad from a political science and public policy perspective. Students will integrate their internship experience with the research components of the UCDC program.The specific...

  • International Policy

    This course is intended to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve in some way the subject matter of the course, in this case, international policy. The primary goal of the course is gain an appreciation of the...

  • Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Washington Focus (UCI/UCR only)

    Knowing Washington. What do you know about Washington, DC? What do people in Washington DC – residents, political actors, visitors – know? This course will explore our city through various reflections of these two questions, bringing them...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the workings of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy. It combines coursework with the original scholarship requirements of a UCDC research seminar and is...

  • General Research Seminar

    Research is the process of asking questions of the world and gathering evidence to produce new knowledge. The skill of research design, like any other kind of design, is an innovative, creative, even artistic process. And like other kinds of design, a...

  • International Policy Seminar

    The aim of this course is to provide students whose internships involve international policy with basic concepts and tools necessary to understand the main choices faced by policymakers in an increasingly globalized world.  We will examine how ...

  • The Presidency and Executive Branch

    The White House, located in the heart of downtown Washington and just a ten minute walk from UCDC, is an international symbol that simultaneously highlights the lofty promise of American democracy and reflects the significant flaws in the American...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    This course is primarily focused on the Supreme Court as an institution. As such it examine the following topics: the evolution of the doctrine of judicial review; the Court’s relationship with the body politic; the process of judicial selection; and...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communica-tion and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institu-tions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the workings of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy. It combines coursework with the original scholarship requirements of a UCDC research seminar and is...

  • General Research Seminar

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process of conducting focused...

  • General Research Seminar

    Research is the process of asking questions of the world and gathering evidence to produce new knowledge. The skill of research design, like any other kind of design, is an innovative, creative, even artistic process. And like other kinds of design, a...

  • General Seminar (UCLA only)

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process of conducting focused...

  • International Policy Seminar

     The challenges that organized crime pose to a state and its citizens are hardly new. Nor are the concerted efforts to eradicate or ameliorate them. What has changed, at least since the early 1990s, is the perception that organized crime poses a...

  • International Policy Seminar

    The aim of this course is to provide students whose internships involve international policy with basic concepts and tools necessary to understand the main choices faced by policymakers in an increasingly globalized world.  We will examine how ...

  • The Presidency and Executive Branch

    The White House, located in the heart of downtown Washington and just a ten minute walk from UCDC, is an international symbol that simultaneously highlights the lofty promise of American democracy and reflects the significant flaws in the American...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    This course is primarily focused on the Supreme Court as an institution. As such it examine the following topics: the evolution of the doctrine of judicial review; the Court’s relationship with the body politic; the process of judicial selection; and...

  • Washington Focus (UCI/UCR only)

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities.  In this seminar you will become acquainted with Washington DC—its beauty and...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communica-tion and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institu-tions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Arts Research Seminar

    This core seminar will be led by Roger Reynolds and is intended to fulfill the UCDC core seminar requirement for Arts majors. Students from the Music and/or Drama core cadres as well as other interested, enthusiastic Arts & Humanities majors may...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the workings of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy.  It combines coursework with the original scholarship requirements of a UCDC research seminar and is...

  • General Research Seminar

    This course will help you think systematically about issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a research paper based on a topic of your choice. In addition, the course will serve as a basis for reflection...

  • General Research Seminar

    In this seminar each student will research, write, and present the findings of a major, original research paper. The paper (approximately 25 pages) should build on your major field of study and related in some way to your internship experience. The...

  • International Politics and The Global System of the 21st Century

    This course’s first objective is to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy, international organizations, globalization, and international relations in general. Its second objective is to...

  • The Presidency and Executive Branch

    The White House, located in the heart of downtown Washington and just a ten minute walk from UCDC, is an international symbol that simultaneously highlights the lofty promise of American democracy and reflects the significant flaws in the American...

  • Washington Focus

    (UCI/UCR students only) Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities.  In this seminar you will become acquainted with Washington...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communica-tion and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institu-tions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the workings of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy.  It combines coursework with the original scholarship requirements of a UCDC research seminar and is...

  • General Research Seminar

    In this seminar each student will research, write, and present the findings of a major, original research paper. The paper (approximately 25 pages) should build on your major field of study and related in some way to your internship experience. The...

  • International Politics and The Global System of the 21st Century

    This course’s first objective is to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy, international organizations, globalization, and international relations in general. Its second objective is to...

  • Research Design for the Social Sciences

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process of conducting focused...

  • The Presidency and Executive Branch

    The White House, located in the heart of downtown Washington and just a ten minute walk from UCDC, is an international symbol that simultaneously highlights the lofty promise of American democracy and reflects the significant flaws in the American...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communica-tion and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institu-tions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the workings of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy.  It combines coursework with the original scholarship requirements of a UCDC research seminar and is...

  • General Research

    This seminar will draw on your internship, intellectual interests and major to help you craft an original research paper. Our seminar will visit with Washington officials where we will discuss how research of all kinds influences the daily work of...

  • General Research

    Research is the process of asking questions of the world and gathering evidence to produce new knowledge. The skill of research design, like any other kind of design, is an innovative, creative, even artistic process. And like other kinds of design, a...

  • General Research

    (UCLA students only) This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process...

  • General/Public Policy Seminar

    This course explores critical national issues that are currently being reviewed and/or shaped in Washington, D.C. Our focus will be on the process of policy formulation, implementation and review, and on the substance of policy alternatives. Our...

  • International Policy and the Global System of the 21st Century

    This course’s first objective is to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy, international organizations, globalization, and international relations in general. Its second objective is to...

  • Washington Focus

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities.  In this seminar you will become acquainted with Washington DC—its beauty and...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress (Quarter and Semester)

    This thematic research seminar will explore the history and current practices of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy.  The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of how the...

  • General Research

    UCLA students only

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through...

  • General Research (Quarter and Semester)

    This seminar will balance the needs of students who have to conduct original academic research and writing in DC with the reality that students at UCDC come from a wide range of majors, intern in a broad spectrum of workplaces and have very diverse...

  • General Research (Quarter and Semester)

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the...

  • General Research (Quarter only)

    The goal of this seminar is to allow you to write the required research paper.  A secondary goal is to allow you to link your internship to the research topic if possible. We will follow four stages: 1) Narrow your topic and define your sources; 2)...

  • International Policy and the Global System of the 21st Century (Quarter and Semester)

    This course’s first objective is to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy, international organizations, globalization, and international relations in general. Its second objective is to...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Focus

    UCI/UCR students only

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities.  In this seminar you will become acquainted with...

  • Washington Media (Quarter and Semester)

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress (Quarter and Semester)

    This thematic research seminar will explore the history and current practices of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy.  The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of how the...

  • General Research (Quarter and Semester)

    This seminar will balance the needs of students who have to conduct original academic research and writing in DC with the reality that students at UCDC come from a wide range of majors, intern in a broad spectrum of workplaces and have very diverse...

  • General Research (Quarter and Semester)

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the...

  • International Policy and the Global System of the 21st Century (Quarter and Semester)

    This course’s first objective is to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy, international organizations, globalization, and international relations in general. Its second objective is to...

  • Washington Media (Quarter and Semester)

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Arts Core

    This core seminar will be led by Roger Reynolds and is intended to fulfill the UCDC core seminar requirement for Arts majors. Students from the Music and/or Drama core cadres as well as other interested, enthusiastic Arts & Humanities majors may...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the history and current practices of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy.  The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of how the...

  • General Research

    This seminar provides an introduction to qualitative, quantitative, and secondary research methods in the social sciences.  Topics address issues related to both theory building and theory testing.  The central focus of this course is on theoretical...

  • General Research

    The goal of this seminar is to allow you to write the required research paper.  A secondary goal is to allow you to link your internship to the research topic if possible. We will follow four stages: 1) Narrow your topic and define your sources...

  • General Research

    UCLA only

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the...

  • International Seminar

    It is an exciting time to reconsider the globe where humans live today. New political configurations and ideas the world over. Political entities such as a Caliphate and a Kurdish state in the Middle East. The European Union is practically a member of...

  • International Seminar

    This course’s first objective is to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy, international organizations, globalization, and international relations in general. Its second objective is to...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Focus

    UCI/UCR only

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities.  In this seminar you will become acquainted with...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the history and current practices of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy.  The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of how the...

  • General Research

    The goal of this seminar is to allow you to write the required research paper.  A secondary goal is to allow you to link your internship to the research topic if possible. We will follow four stages: 1) Narrow your topic and define your sources...

  • International Seminar

    This course’s first objective is to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy, international organizations, globalization, and international relations in general. Its second objective is to...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the history and current practices of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy.  The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of how the...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • General Research (UCLA students only)

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process of conducting focused...

  • International Policy
    First class meets on April 3, not March 27.
    This course is designed to help you think systematically about international or global policy issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in...
  • Washington Focus (UCI/UCR students only)

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities.  In this seminar you will become acquainted with Washington DC—its beauty and...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the history and current practices of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy.  The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of how the...

  • General Research

    UCLA students only. This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • International Policy

    This combined semester/quarter course is designed to help you think systematically about international or global policy issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a substantive research paper based on a...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Focus

    This course will immerse students in the history, politics, culture and character of the nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city into the world’s most powerful capital. We will explore how...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress

    This thematic research seminar will explore the history and current practices of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy.  The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of how the...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • International Policy

    This combined semester/quarter course is designed to help you think systematically about international or global policy issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a substantive research paper based on a...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington, D.C.

    This thematic research seminar will explore the history of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy, as well as other issues in contemporary politics and government. The subject matter will cover...

  • Contemporary Politics and Media

    This seminar will examine the relationship between politics, governance and the media, in all its new finery. By wedding practice with theory, the course provides an academic framework for students interning in government, news media and advocacy...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • General Research (UCLA only)

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process of conducting focused...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and achievements in this field. Materials from the course (readings, documentaries, coverage of current events) will enhance...

  • International Policy

    This combined semester/quarter course is designed to help you think systematically about international or global policy issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a substantive research paper based on a...

  • Washington Focus (UCI/UCR/UCSB/UCD students only)

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities.  In this seminar you will become acquainted with Washington DC—its beauty and...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington, D.C.

    This thematic research seminar will explore the history of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy, as well as other issues in contemporary politics and government. The subject matter will cover...

  • Contemporary Politics and Media

    This seminar will examine the relationship between politics, governance and the media, in all its new finery. By wedding practice with theory, the course provides an academic framework for students interning in government, news media and advocacy...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and achievements in this field. Materials from the course (readings, documentaries, discussions of current events) will enhance...

  • International Policy

    This combined semester/quarter course is designed to help you think systematically about international or global policy issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a substantive research paper based on a...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington, D.C.

    This thematic research seminar will explore the history of Congress—the ...

  • General Research

    This course is designed to help you think systematically about issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a significant, empirically grounded research paper based on a topic of your choice. In addition, the...

  • General Research (UCLA only)

    This seminar complements the internship experience of participants in the UCDC Quarter in Washington program and is the keystone classroom component of the program. The intent of the course is to guide students through the process of conducting focused...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions,...

  • Washington Focus

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities.  In this seminar you will become acquainted with Washington DC—its beauty and...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress, Elections, and the Presidency

    This course will focus on the fundamental roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Congress and their interactions with the executive branch as it relates to the policymaking process. Given the presidential election of 2016, students will also gain...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • International Policy

    This course is designed to help you think systematically about international or global policy issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a substantive research paper based on a topic of your choice. This...

  • International Policy

    This course is designed to help you think systematically about international or global policy issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a substantive research paper based on a topic of your choice. This...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Focus
    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities. In this seminar you will become acquainted with Washington DC—its beauty and...
  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress, Elections, and the Presidency

    This course will focus on the fundamental roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Congress and their interactions with the executive branch as it relates to the policymaking process. Given the presidential election of 2016, students will also gain...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • International Policy

    This course is designed to help you think systematically about international or global policy issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a substantive research paper based on a topic of your choice. This...

  • International Policy

    This course is designed to help you think systematically about international or global policy issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a substantive research paper based on a topic of your choice. This...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will explore the rapidly changing relationship between the news media, political communication and governing. Washington offers the perfect backdrop with the opportunity to visit iconic institutions, such as the White House Press Room,...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington, D.C.

    This course will focus on the fundamental roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Congress and their interactions with the executive branch as it relates to the policymaking process. Given the presidential election of 2016, students will also gain...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and achievements in this field. Materials from the course (readings, documentaries, discussions of current events) will enhance...

  • International Policy

    This course’s first objective is to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy, international organizations, globalization, and international relations in general. Its second objective is to...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Focus

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, politics, culture, diversity and character of the nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city into...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will examine the relationship between politics, governance and the media, in all its new finery. By wedding practice with theory, the course provides an academic framework for students interning in government, news media and advocacy...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington, D.C.

    This course will focus on the fundamental roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Congress and their interactions with the executive branch as it relates to the policymaking process. Given the presidential election of 2016, students will also gain...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and achievements in this field. Materials from the course (readings, documentaries, discussions of current events) will enhance...

  • International Policy

    This course’s first objective is to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy, international organizations, globalization, and international relations in general. Its second objective is to...

  • The United States Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will examine the relationship between politics, governance and the media, in all its new finery. By wedding practice with theory, the course provides an academic framework for students interning in government, news media and advocacy...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington, D.C.

    This course will focus on the fundamental roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Congress and their interactions with the executive branch...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you...

  • International Policy

    This course’s first objective is to provide academic background and guidance to students whose internships involve international policy, international organizations, globalization, and international...

  • Washington Focus

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities. In this seminar you will...

  • Washington Media

    This course will look at political communication, from the evolution of the news media, political parties and advertising to messaging by the candidates. We will study the impact of social media and role of...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you...

  • International Policy

    This course is designed to help you think systematically about international and global policy issues, and will guide you in writing a substantive research paper based on a topic of your choice. The course seeks to consider contemporary events and...

  • International Policy

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions of international and global policy. Through weekly news briefings, student research, and course readings, we will engage with a wide range of...

  • The American Presidency and Executive Power

    This course will put the current presidency in historical and theoretical context, drawing on a variety of readings and approaches. At its core, this class is about the problem of executive power in democratic government. We will study and reflect not...

  • The Congress: History, Operation and Current Issues

    This course will focus on the design and operation of the U.S. Congress and its relationship with the Executive Branch.  Students will also gain insights into how legislators spend their time in Washington and in their constituencies. A key feature of...

  • Washington Focus

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities. In this seminar you will become acquainted with Washington DC – its beauty and...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will examine the relationship between politics, governance and the media, in all its new finery. By wedding practice with theory, the course provides an academic framework for students interning in government, news media and advocacy...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you...

  • International Policy

    This course is designed to help you think systematically about international and global policy issues, and will guide you in writing a substantive research paper based on a topic of your choice. The course seeks to consider contemporary events and...

  • International Policy

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions of international and global policy. Through weekly news briefings, student research, and course readings, we will engage with a wide range of...

  • The American Presidency and Executive Power

    This course will put the current presidency in historical and theoretical context, drawing on a variety of readings and approaches. At its core, this class is about the problem of executive power in democratic government. We will study and reflect not...

  • The Congress: History, Operation and Current Issues

    This course will focus on the design and operation of the U.S. Congress and its relationship with the Executive Branch.  Students will also gain insights into how legislators spend their time in Washington and in their constituencies. A key feature of...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will examine the relationship between politics, governance and the media, in all its new finery. By wedding practice with theory, the course provides an academic framework for students interning in government, news media and advocacy...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington

    This course will focus on the design and operation of the U.S. Congress and its relationship with the Executive Branch.  Students will also...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and...

  • International Policy

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions of international and global affairs. Through weekly news briefings, student research, and course readings, we will engage with a wide range of...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in...

  • Washington Focus

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities. In this seminar you will become acquainted with Washington DC – its beauty and...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will examine the relationship between politics, governance and the media, in all its new finery. By wedding practice with theory, the course provides an academic framework for students interning in government, news media and advocacy...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington

    This course will focus on the design and operation of the U.S. Congress and its relationship with the Executive Branch.  Students will also...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and...

  • International Policy

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions of international and global affairs. Through weekly news briefings, student research, and course readings, we will engage with a wide range of...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in...

  • Washington Media

    This seminar will examine the relationship between politics, governance and the media, in all its new finery. By wedding practice with theory, the course provides an academic framework for students interning in government, news media and advocacy...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington

    This course will focus on the design and operation of the U.S. Congress and its relationship with the Executive Branch.  Students will also gain insights into how legislators spend their time in Washington and in their constituencies. A key feature of...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • International Policy

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions of international and global affairs. Through weekly news briefings, student research, and course readings, we will engage with a wide range of...

  • The American Presidency and Executive Power

    This course will put the current presidency in historical and theoretical context, drawing on a variety of readings and approaches. At its...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Focus

    Our nation’s capital is a center of governance and politics but also of historical sites, research institutes, arts and cultural institutions, and diverse communities. In this seminar you will become acquainted with Washington DC – its beauty and...

  • Washington Media

    This course will look at political communication, from the evolution of the news media, political parties and advertising to messaging by the candidates. We will study the impact of social media and role of outside interest groups. In addition, we will...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington

    This course will focus on the design and operation of the U.S. Congress and its relationship with the Executive Branch.  Students will also gain insights into how legislators spend their time in Washington and in their constituencies. A key feature of...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and achievements in this field. Materials from the course (readings, documentaries, discussions of current events) will enhance...

  • International Policy

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions of international and global affairs. Through weekly news briefings, student research, and course readings, we will engage with a wide range of...

  • Judicial Process and Politics

    The theme of this course is that the judiciary is a political institution in the American scheme of government. This topic couldn’t be more relevant than it is now in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election as we witness courts across the...

  • The American Presidency and the Executive Branch

    This course will put the current presidency in historical and theoretical context, drawing on a variety of readings and approaches. At its core, this class is about the problem of executive power in democratic government. We will study and reflect not...

  • The US Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Focus

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, politics, culture, character and...

  • Washington Media

    What is the difference between “fake news’ ’and journalism? Does objectivity exist? Why does President Trump call the news media the “enemy of the people.? This seminar explores the rapidly evolving relationship between the news media, governing and...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington

    This course will focus on the design and operation of the U.S. Congress and its relationship with the Executive Branch.  Students will also gain insights into how legislators spend their time in Washington and in their constituencies. A key feature of...

  • General Research

    Research methods in the social sciences are a set of tools that assist us in understanding our world. This seminar is designed to teach you how to be a critical observer of and contributor to that world using these methods. The course has an academic...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and achievements in this field. Materials from the course (readings, documentaries, discussions of current events) will enhance...

  • International Policy

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions of international and global affairs. Through weekly news briefings, student research, and course readings, we will engage with a wide range of...

  • Judicial Process and Politics

    The theme of this course is that the judiciary is a political institution in the American scheme of government. This topic couldn’t be more relevant than it is now in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election as we witness courts across the...

  • The American Presidency and the Executive Branch

    This course will put the current presidency in historical and theoretical context, drawing on a variety of readings and approaches. At its core, this class is about the problem of executive power in democratic government. We will study and reflect not...

  • The US Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Media

    What is the difference between “fake news’ ’and journalism? Does objectivity exist? Why does President Trump call the news media the “enemy of the people.? This seminar explores the rapidly evolving relationship between the news media, governing and...

Semester Elective

  • A Theater of Politics/The Politics of Theater

    Over the years this course has canvassed the Washington theater scene and discovered a wealth of politically and socially attuned material on DC stages. Washington has, rather surprisingly, emerged as the second most vibrant theatrical city in the...

  • American Political Journalism

    This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story This class meets at the Washington Post (1150...

  • Ensuring Food Safety: Role of Producers, Consumers and Public Health Agencies

    The course offers students an opportunity to gain insights into how the knowledge and expertise they acquire during their university studies can be applied to facilitating or enhancing efforts by public health agencies (local, state, national, and...

  • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

    This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly understood network of advocacy and...

  • Middle East Politics and the Arab Spring

    This course provides an overview of modern Middle Eastern politics with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the recent events of the Arab ?Spring?. The course begins with an historical analysis outlining the development of the states in the...

  • Political Reform

    Efforts to eliminate corruption and equalize political power in America are ongoing in US politics. In recent years alone, there have been federal efforts at campaign finance reform (McCain-Feingold), tighter lobbying regulations and more accurate...

  • The Politics of Education Policy

    Schools in the United States are a powerful instrument for shaping the development of future generations of citizens and workers. As the global economy undergoes significant change, schools are being asked to prepare for college a more diverse...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East

    What are the United States' interests in the Middle East? Who and what determine those interests? And how are those interests pursued? This course addresses these questions in two parts. First, we will consider the domestic American debate on foreign...

  • American Political Journalism

    This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

  • Anthropology of Food and Drink

    This course provides an introduction to the new, exciting anthropological field of food and drink.  Food is necessary for survival and yet it is never consumed without being transformed and mediated by social meaning.  Food is the backbone of society...

  • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

    This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

  • The Constitution: History and Ideas in the Thought of James Madison

    What is the Constitution? Is it synonymous with the Bill of Rights? Or is the true value of the Constitution in the enduring institutional framework which it established? What historical ideas went into framing those institutions, and also our...

  • The Politics of Theater

    Over the years, this course has canvassed the Washington theater scene and discovered a wealth of politically and socially attuned material on DC stages. Washington has, rather surprisingly, emerged as the second most vibrant theatrical city in the...

  • The Science of Politics: Campaigns and Elections

    This class will teach you how to better understand the fundamental factors that drive elections in America and to learn some of the skills employed by political professionals.  Many of your assignments will require you to apply the lessons of this...

  • Washington Ethics: Crisis, Reform and Reaction

     This course explores the history, theory and practice of public attempts to reform electoral and political processes at the national level.  Our inquiry will multidisciplinary in nature, drawing from several disciplines including political science,...

  • American Political Journalism

    This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of teh media became an integral part of the story.

    This class meets at the Washington Post...

  • Beyond Sovereignty

    The decline of traditional sovereignty is the focus of this course. The nature of that transformation--what is causing it, why, and with what implications--will be the object of our concern. While time frames are elusive, the bulk of our attention will...

  • Ensuring Food Safety: Role of Producers, Consumers and Public Health Agencies

    The course offers students an opportunity to gain insights into how the knowledge and expertise they acquire during their university studies can be applied to facilitating or enhancing efforts by public health agencies (local, state, national, and...

  • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

    This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly understood network of advocacy and...

  • Politics of Education

    Schools in the United States are a powerful instrument for shaping the development of future generations of citizens and workers.  As the global economy undergoes significant change, schools are being asked to prepare for college a more diverse...

  • The Theater of Politics

    Over the years this course has canvassed the Washington theater scene and discovered a wealth of politically and socially attuned material on DC stages. Washington has, rather surprisingly, emerged as the second most vibrant theatrical cit in the...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East

    What are the United States’ interests in the Middle East?  Who and what determine those interests?  And how are those interests pursued?  This course addresses these questions in two parts.  First, we will consider the domestic American debate on...

  • American Political Journalism

    This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

  • Campaigns and Elections

    This class will teach you how to better understand the fundamental factors that drive elections in America and to learn some of the skills employed by political professionals.  Many of your assignments will require you to apply the lessons of this...

  • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

    This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

  • The Theater of Politics

    Over the years this course has canvassed the Washington theater scene and discovered a wealth of politically and socially attuned material on DC stages. Washington has, rather surprisingly, emerged as the second most vibrant theatrical city in the...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Africa

     This course will focus on the evolution of U.S. foreign policy toward Africa from African independence until present day. The specific themes that will be covered include economic development, China’s economic expansion, foreign aid, democracy, human...

  • Violence and Human Rights in War and Peace: A Holistic and Interdisciplinary Perspective

    We will explore violence as a continuum that includes both legitimate and illegitimate, recognized and unrecognized, visible and invisible, normative and deviant, political and private, physical and psychological, structural and symbolic violence. We...

  • Washington Ethics: Crisis, Reform and Reaction

    This course explores the history, theory and practice of public attempts to reform electoral and political processes at the national level.  Our inquiry will multidisciplinary in nature, drawing from several disciplines including political science,...

  • American Political Journalism

    This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

  • Campaigns and Elections

    This class will teach you how to better understand the fundamental factors that drive elections in America and to learn some of the skills employed by political professionals.  Many of your assignments will require you to apply the lessons of this...

  • Green Governance

    How do we create a more sustainable world?  What is the role of energy and environmental policy?  Will technical innovation lead to better solutions?  What is the role of the consumer?  Should business climate change planning be under government...

  • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

    This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

  • Politics of Educaiton

    Schools in the United States are a powerful instrument for shaping the development of future generations of citizens and workers.  As the global economy undergoes significant change, schools are being asked to prepare for college a more diverse...

  • Politics of the Middle East

    What are the United States’ interests in the Middle East?  Who and what determine those interests?  And how are those interests pursued?  This course addresses these questions in two parts.  First, we will consider the domestic American debate on...

  • Spies! The Politics of Intelligence

    In this course students will be introduced to recent issues concerning intelligence, such as intelligence failure, reform, and oversight, focusing particularly on how the change in US intelligence in the post-9/11 context has increasingly emphasized...

  • The Theater of Politics

    Over the years, this course has canvassed the Washington theater scene and discovered a wealth of politically and socially attuned material on DC stages. Washington has, rather surprisingly, emerged as the second most vibrant theatrical city in the...

  • U.S. Foreign Relations with Asia

     This course seeks to help students develop the analytical skills necessary to understand American policy towards Asia, especially in preparation for a career in foreign policy. Key goals of the class include:

    • To identify and analyze...
    • American Political Journalism

      This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

    • Campaigns and Elections

      This class will teach you how to better understand the fundamental factors that drive elections in America and to learn some of the skills employed by political professionals.  Many of your assignments will require you to apply the lessons of this...

    • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

      This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

    • Middle East Politics and the Arab "Spring"
      This course provides an overview of modern Middle Eastern politics with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the recent events of the Arab “Spring”. The course begins with an historical analysis outlining the development of the states in the...
    • Spies! The Politics of Intelligence

      In this course students will be introduced to recent issues concerning intelligence, such as intelligence failure, reform, and oversight, focusing particularly on how the change in US intelligence in the post-9/11 context has increasingly emphasized...

    • The Theater of Politics

      Over the years, this course has canvassed the Washington theater scene and discovered a wealth of politically and socially attuned material on DC stages. Washington has, rather surprisingly, emerged as the second most vibrant theatrical city in the...

    • 21st Century Diplomacy: Challenges and Opportunities

      Traditionally, Diplomacy has been defined as the conduct by government officials of negotiations and other relations. However, today’s world has myriad challenges which require an expansion of our understanding of what diplomacy entails. This course...

    • American Political Journalism

      This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

    • Campaigns and Elections

      This class will teach you how to better understand the fundamental factors that drive elections in America and to learn some of the skills employed by political professionals.  Many of your assignments will require you to apply the lessons of this...

    • Fiscal Policy-making in the United States

      The purpose of this course is to give students a comprehensive overview of the major issues facing U.S. fiscal policy, with special emphasis on structural issues, such as the problems facing the major entitlement programs: social security, and Medicare...

    • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

      This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

    • Politics and Poems: Writing Verse in DC

      This course is a space for writing and discussing poems in the nation’s capitol. The course title takes as inspiration the name of the renowned independent bookstore (Politics and Prose) in Washington, but with a twist. Accordingly, most of the...

    • Sports, Politics and Society

      Few things have characterized mass culture in the 20th century more consistently and thoroughly than sports. Particularly in their team variety, there is not one industrial country in the world that does not possess at least one major team sport which...

    • The Communicator's Dilemma: Covering Politics and Government with Speed and Depth in an Age of Twitter

      This course examines trends in a media landscape transformed by technology over the last three decades, from the post-Watergate era to the early soundings of the 2016 presidential campaign. The course will lean hard on guest speakers to give it...

    • U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East

      What are the United States’ interests in the Middle East?  Who and what determine those interests?  And how are those interests pursued?  This course addresses these questions in two parts.  First, we will consider the domestic American debate on...

    • American Political Journalism

      This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

    • Campaigns and Elections

      This class will teach you how to better understand the fundamental factors that drive elections in America and to learn some of the skills employed by political professionals.  Many of your assignments will require you to apply the lessons of this...

    • Cultural Policy: Cultural Heritage and Cultural Diplomacy

      This course is designed to introduce students to the broad implications of the control, management, investigation, presentation, and interpretation of collections of things considered of cultural significance. A tradition of more than 400 years can be...

    • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

      This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

    • Race and Politics in the American City

      The purpose of this seminar is to equip students to think deeply and critically about racial politics in the American  city in general – and about racial politics in the American city of Washington, D.C. in particular.

      Taught by Professor Donald...

    • U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East

      What are the United States’ interests in the Middle East?  Who and what determine those interests?  And how are those interests pursued?  This course addresses these questions in two parts.  First, we will consider the domestic American debate on...

    • American Political Journalism

      This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

    • Campaigns and Elections

      This class will teach you how to better understand the fundamental factors that drive elections in America and to learn some of the skills employed by political professionals.  Many of your assignments will require you to apply the lessons of this...

    • Environmental Politics and Policy

      This course introduces students to the formation and implementation of environmental policy, with primary emphasis on the United States.  It draws heavily from the discipline of political science in examining environmental politics and how this body of...

    • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

      This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

    • Politics and Poems: Writing Verse in DC

      This course is a space for writing and discussing poems in the nation’s capitol. The course title takes as inspiration the name of the renowned independent bookstore (Politics and Prose) in Washington, D.C. Accordingly, most of the assigned texts will...

    • The Politics of Theater

      Since 2006, this course has canvassed the Washington DC theater scene and discovered a wealth of offerings, many of them, not surprisingly, political in focus.  Which prompts the question: What should the role of an arts community be in an essentially...

    • U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East

      What are the United States’ interests in the Middle East?  Who and what determine those interests?  And how are those interests pursued?  This course addresses these questions in two parts.  First, we will consider the domestic American debate on...

    • American Political Journalism

      This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

    • Campaigns and Elections

      This class will teach you how to understand the fundamental factors that drive elections in America and to learn some of the skills employed by political professionals. Many of your assignments will require you to apply the lessons of this class to...

    • Economics of Public Policy

      Economic thinking provides an important set of tools for almost every aspect of public policy making. This course aims to offer students a basic understanding of economics and its importance in public policy making. The will begin by providing a broad-...

    • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

      This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

    • The Politics of Theater

      Since 2006, this course has canvassed the Washington DC theater scene and discovered a wealth of offerings, many of them, not surprisingly, political in...

    • U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East

      What are the United States’ interests in the Middle East?  Who and what determine those interests?  And how are those...

    • American Political Journalism

      This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

    • Campaigns and Elections

      This class will teach you how to better understand the fundamental factors that drive elections in America and to learn some of the skills employed by political professionals.  Many of your assignments will require you to apply the lessons of this...

    • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

      This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

    • Politics and Poems

      This course is a space for writing and discussing poems in our capitol. The course title takes as inspiration the name of the renowned independent bookstore (Politics and Prose) in Washington, but with a twist. Accordingly, most of the assigned texts...

    • Race and Ethnic Politics in a Post-Obama Presidency

      This course will examine the fundamental theories of race and representation as it applies to the lived experiences and quest for freedom, justice, and equality on part of African Americans in a post-Obama presidency. Following the election and...

    • Social Memory: National Museums, Monuments, and Commemorations

      This course explores what and how societies collectively remember, and why. It also examines how the past matters in the contemporary world particularly in the construction of contemporary national identities.  First we will build foundational...

    • Sociology of Sports

      Few things have characterized mass culture in the 20th century more consistently and thoroughly than sports. Particularly in their team variety, there is not one industrial country in the world that does not possess at least one major team...

    • American Political Journalism

      This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

    • Campaign and Elections

      Even though we experienced an election last year where the rules supposedly did not apply, anyone who hopes to pursue a career in politics – or just be a good citizen -- should be familiar with some basics about the electorate and the mechanics of...

    • Economics of Public Policy

      Economic thinking provides an important set of tools for almost every aspect of public policy making. This course aims to offer students a basic understanding of economics and its importance in public policy making. The will begin by providing a broad-...

    • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

      This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

    • The Politics of Theater

      Since 2006, this course has canvassed the Washington DC theater scene and discovered a wealth of offerings, many of them, not surprisingly, political in focus. Which prompts the...

    • U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East

      What are the United States’ interests in the Middle East?  Who and what determine those interests?  And how are those interests pursued? ...

    • American Political Journalism

      This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

    • Campaigns and Elections

      Even though we experienced an election last year where the rules supposedly did not apply, anyone who hopes to pursue a career in politics – or just be a good citizen -- should be familiar with some basics about the electorate and the mechanics of...

    • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington D.C.

      This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign...

    • Political Advocacy and Public Opinion in a Digital Age

      This course is for the bold and the brave, for the student who wants to examine effective communication methods that influence public opinion and public policy in today’s political environment and experientially test those...

    • Politics and Poems

      This course is a space for writing and discussing poems in our capitol. The course title takes as inspiration the name of the renowned...

    • The Federalist Papers

      This course is devoted almost exclusively to reading The Federalist Papers. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote these papers in order to persuade the people of New York to ratify the Federal Constitution that had been adopted...

    • Toxic Rhetoric

      The valorization of the down-to-earth simplicity of the everyman is a mainstay of American politics; even Ivy League educated public servants affect...

    • American Political Journalism

      This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

    • Campaigns and Elections
      Even though we experienced an election last year where the rules supposedly did not apply, anyone who hopes to pursue a career in politics – or just be a good citizen -- should be familiar with some basics about the electorate and the mechanics of...
    • Economics of Public Policy

      Economic thinking provides an important set of tools for almost every aspect of public policy making. This course aims to offer students a basic understanding of economics and its importance in public policy making. The will begin by providing a broad-...

    • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington D.C.

      This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

    • Race and Ethnic Politics in a Post-Obama Presidency

      This course will examine the fundamental theories of race and representation as it applies to the lived experiences and quest for freedom, justice, and equality on part of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans and other groups....

    • U.S. Foreign Policy Towards the Middle East

      What are the United States’ interests in the Middle East?  Who and what determine those interests?  And how are those interests pursued?  This course addresses these questions in two parts.  First, we will consider the domestic American debate on...

    • Youth, Social Media and Development

      Digital technologies and online social networks play an increasingly important role in the political, social and economic development of all societies. In the Global North and South, it is largely the young generation of men and women (24 years old and...

Special

  • Columbia Law Seminar
  • Michigan Seminar
  • Notre Dame Seminar
  • Power, Politics and Policymaking
  • UCDC Law Program

    Your externship in the UCDC Law Program has two main components: the lawyering you do at the externship site, guided by your externship supervisor, reflected on in your journal and monitored and supported by me; and the companion course, a 3-credit...

  • Career Development Workshops

    Available to quarter and semester students: While offered without academic credit, students who enroll will gain insider advice from DC professionals in various career fields, group support and networking access to colleagues at UCDC, and personal and...

  • Music Composition

    This course will be taught by Roger Reynolds and is specifically targeted at students interested in music composition. Students will work with Professor Reynolds to hone their music composition skills. As the final project, students will create a...

  • *NEW* Partisanship and Polarization in American Politics (2-Unit Elective)

    American politics and voters are currently at the highest stage of polarization since the Civil War.  As a result of the heightened state of the partisan divide, conflict between -- as well as within -- the branches of our government, including within...

Quarter Elective

  • Green Politics:Science, Policy, Polarization of Modern U.S. Environmentalism

    Environmental issues are increasingly central to aspects of human society, whether it's how we will feed the world's growing population or what sort of extreme weather events. But even as it becomes clear how critical these questions are, Americans are...

  • History, Theory, Practice of Non-Profits

    Quarter-based Elective: 3/27-6/08/2012 Since the United States? founding moments, its citizens (as well as notable visitors such as the French nobleman Alexis de Tocqueville) have regarded the nation?s private voluntary associations and organizations...

  • Spies: Politics of Intelligence

    Open to quarter and semester students. This course will introduce students to recent issues concerning intelligence, such as intelligence failure, reform, and oversight, focusing particularly on how the change in US intelligence in the post-9/11...

  • The Arts in Our Capital

    This is a general arts elective developed by University Professor Roger Reynolds (UCSD). Steve Antosca, a local arts educator, musician and composer will be teaching this course and it is open to any interested UCDC students. There will be several...

  • The Politics of Theater

    UCSC Professor Danny Scheie will lead an exploration of Mary-Kay Gamel's translation of the satirical political play, The Women's Congress by Aristophanes, and its relevance in today's political environment. The play will be used as a starting point...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-Iranian relations, the Middle East peace process, U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia and the U.S. in Central...

  • Campaigns and Elections

    This course will focus on the theory, science, and practice of modern presidential campaigns.
    Grading: P/NP or letter grading.
    Meetings: This course will meet on Tuesday evenings (6:30-9:30 p.m.) for eight weeks and then on two Saturdays...

  • Intensive Writing and Skill-Building Seminar

    Open to quarter and semester students. This seminar will teach you how to write memos, speeches, op-eds and press statements, use social media, deliver oral presentations and sharpen other skills useful in the modern Washington workforce and graduate...

  • Spies! The Politics of Intelligence

    Open to quarter and semester students. This course will introduce students to recent issues concerning intelligence, such as intelligence failure, reform, and oversight, focusing particularly on how the change in US intelligence in the post-9/11...

  • Energy: Powering the Economy in Era of Climate Change/Political Instability

    There are few issues more critical, yet less well managed, than energy issues. The health of the U.S. economy depends on reliable and reasonably priced energy, yet our reliance on oil has been anything but a formula for reliability or stability....

  • Impact of Image: How Media Affects Washington Politics and Policy

    In this seminar we will examine the impact of television, print and electronic media on Washington politics and policy, using the November 2012 elections and Washington DC as a living backdrop. We will take a critical look at the power of the televised...

  • Lobbying and Advocacy in Washington

    This course will explore the role of interest groups and lobbyists in the American political process. We will discuss the basics of the policymaking process, with a particular focus on how policymakers respond to different outside pressures. We will...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-Iranian relations, U.S. and the Middle East peace process, U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia and the U.S....

  • U.S. Labor History: 1877 to present

     This course will examine the history of work, working people, and their collective organizations (broadly defined) in the U.S.,  from the Industrial Revolution and slavery to the present, with particular emphasis on dynamics of race and ethnicity,...

  • Washington Ethics: Crisis, Reform and Reaction

    This course explores the history, theory and practice of public attempts to reform electoral and political processes at the national level.  Our inquiry will multidisciplinary in nature, drawing from several disciplines including political science,...

  • Contemporary Democratic Theory

    This course examines theories of democracy from liberal democracy to deliberative democracy and considers such issues as the political legitimacy, the point of democratic participation, the pros and cons of different decision rules, the tension between...

  • Crime and Delinquency

    This course is organized around three general topics: 1) the social production and organization of crime, 2) the role of police and other official actors in managing criminality, and 3) the punishment of criminals. Under each topic, we will bring a...

  • From Clay Tablets to the Cloud: Media, Information Technology, Political Organization

    Politics involves intense communication, and political communication – now more than ever—depends on technologies and media available to political participants and observers. This course will combine historical and policy-oriented approaches to the...

  • Green Politics: Science, Policy and Polarization of Modern-Day U.S. Environmentalism

    Environmental issues are increasingly central to aspects of human society, whether it’s how we will feed the world’s growing population or what sort of extreme weather events. But even as it becomes clear how critical these questions are, Americans are...

  • Museums: Past, Present, Future

    Museums may be repositories for history, but the history of museums isn’t especially long. The notion of a collection meriting study emerged during the Renaissance and just after, as the very wealthy assembled cabinets of curiosities showing petrified...

  • Political Economy of Trade, Finance and Debt

    Bad luck or bad policy? This seminar examines the political and economic factors that have led some of the world’s poorest countries to the brink of financial insolvency. One of the goals of the course is to help students understand the relationship...

  • Arts in Our Capital

     Explore the wide variety of arts opportunities (fine art, music, dance and theater) and institutions in Washington, DC. This course includes guest speakers from prominent DC arts institutions and visits to the Folger Shakespeare Library, National...

  • Crime and Delinquency

    This course is organized around three general topics: 1) the social production and organization of crime, 2) the role of police and other official actors in managing criminality, and 3) the punishment of criminals. Under each topic, we will bring a...

  • From Clay Tablets to the Cloud: Media, Information Technologies and Political Organization

    Politics involves intense communication, and political communication – now more than ever—depends on technologies and media available to political participants and observers. This course will combine historical and policy-oriented approaches to the...

  • Race and Ethnicity in American Politics

    This class is a survey of historical and contemporary issues of ethnic and racial minority politics in the U.S.; race and ethnicity in the context of U.S....

  • Sustainability and Social Change

    How do we create a more sustainable world?  What is the role of energy and environmental policy?  Will technical innovation lead to better solutions? What is the role of the consumer?  Should business climate change planning be under government mandate...

  • The Moving Image

    In this course, which traces Guggenheim’s career, you can witness history as if you were there, and, in addition, come to understanding how film technology evolved along with story-telling telling techniques. Grace Guggenheim, Charles’ daughter and...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-Iranian relations, U.S. and the Middle East peace process, U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia and the U.S....

  • Beyond War and Peace

    This course uses primary source documents and on-site visits to memorials, museums and monuments in Washington, DC to examine how “war and peace” have evolved within the United States.  At the core of the course is examination of how war begins, is...

  • China and East Asia in U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines the making of foreign policy in the United States through the lens of U.S.-China ties. From the Korean War to trade conflicts, from human rights to weapons proliferation, this bilateral relationship has arguably become the most...

  • Energy: Powering Economy in Era of Climate Change/Political Instability

    There are few issues more critical, yet less well managed, than energy issues. The health of the U.S. economy depends on reliable and reasonably priced energy, yet our reliance on oil has been anything but a formula for reliability or stability....

  • Impact of Image: How Media Affects Washington Politics and Policy

    In this seminar we will examine the impact of television, print and electronic media on Washington politics and policy, using current news events in DC and nationwide as a living backdrop. We will take a critical look at the power of the televised...

  • Museums and Memorials: Searching for the Past in D.C.

    Washington is a city full of museums and memorials, and this class will take advantage of the D.C. setting to consider questions related to historical memory and memorialization. Enriched by our readings related to the politics of “remembering” the...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-Iranian relations, U.S. and the Middle East peace process, U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia and the U.S....

  • Violence and Human Rights

    This seminar explores violence as a continuum that includes both legitimate and illegitimate, recognized and unrecognized, visible and invisible, normative and...

  • American Drama: Politics and Theater

    Washington, DC has become the location of one of the fastest growing and most exciting theater districts in the country: attracting many internationally acclaimed actors, directors and writers and serving as a testing ground for many new productions...

  • Bureaucracy and Public Management

    The course is specifically intended for students interested in exploring and writing about the organizations where they are interning (though students wishing to research and write on some organizational problem outside their internship are welcome as...

  • Green Governance

    How do we create a more sustainable world?  What is the role of energy and environmental policy?  Will technical innovation lead to better solutions?  What is the role of the consumer?  Should business climate change planning be under government...

  • Mind of Egypt

    Five revolutions (1799/1800, 1882, 1919, 1952 &2011) may provide landmarks for modern Egyptian history, but there are also wars, institutions (legal, educational, and otherwise; public and private) and more.  This course aims at presenting a basic...

  • Music Composition

    This course is specifically targeted at students interested in music composition. Students will work with Professor Reynolds to hone their music composition skills. As the final project, students will create a composition that will be recorded  by a...

  • Social Science Perspectives in Reproductive Health

    This course will focus on social science perspectives of reproductive health in the U.S. across women’s lives from puberty to post-menopause, highlighting relevant reproductive policies throughout. We will cover topics such as puberty, sexuality,...

  • The Central Inteligence Agency: 1947 to present

    This course serves as an introduction to the CIA, its history, organization, and methods with a focus on its leading personalities. Students will examine the Agency's the origins of the agency's biggest successes and greatest failures. We will focus on...

  • The Moving Image

    In this course, which traces Guggenheim’s career, you can witness history as if you were there, and, in addition, come to understanding how film technology evolved along with story-telling telling techniques.  Grace Guggenheim, Charles’ daughter and...

  • Censorship and the First Amendment

    A basic principle of American democracy is freedom of expression, guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.  In practice, this freedom has been limited by various political, economic, social, psychological and other factors...

  • International Business

    A survey of international business, with emphasis on the practical side of conducting and managing  a profitable venture around the globe. Areas covered...

  • Museum Studies

    "The people's museum should be much more than a house of specimens in glass cases.  It should be a house full of ideas..."  G.B. Goode, Director of US National Museum, 1891

    "Organizing the past, in accordance with the needs of the present, that...

  • Social Protest and Social Movements

    Throughout human history, social protest and “agitational” movements have been a major feature of political life.  This course will explore the role of social protest as a force in a modern democratic society.  Particular attention will be given to...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-Iranian relations, U.S. and the Middle East peace process, U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia and the U.S....

  • Becoming an Effective Strategic Communicator

    This course will focus on the knowledge, skills and abilities required to be an effective strategic communicator in the private sector, government offices or agencies, advocacy and nonprofit organizations, and in political campaigns. We'll examine...

  • Green Politics: Science, Policy, Polarization of Modern Day U.S. Environmentalism

    Rather than look at just one issue, this course will cover the range of environmental issues that have national implications. This includes climate change, oceans, renewable energy, endangered species and wilderness. The instructor, in her capacity as...

  • The History, Theory and Practice of Non-Profits

    In this course we will ask questions such as: How do nonprofits fit into the configurations of power, governance, and authority in the United States and on the global stage?  How do nonprofits bolster or hinder democratic traditions in the United...

  • The Politics of Museums

    Washington is a city full of museums and memorials, and this class will take advantage of the D.C. setting to consider questions related to historical memory and memorialization. Enriched by our readings related to the politics of “remembering” the...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-Iranian relations, U.S. and the Middle East peace process, U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia and the U.S....

  • Art in Our Capital

    Explore the wide variety of arts opportunities (fine art, music, dance and theater) and institutions in Washington, DC. This course includes guest speakers from prominent DC arts institutions and visits to the Folger Shakespeare Library, National...

  • DC Film and Theatre

    DC FILM AND THEATRE, an exploration of the vibrant relationship the nation's capital has with the dramatic arts. Students will study as well as attend live plays performed in the city. In addition, we will screen and analyze some films that have been...

  • Energy: Powering the Economy in Era of Climate Change and Political Instability

    There are few issues more critical, yet less well managed, than energy issues. The health of the U.S. economy depends on reliable and reasonably priced energy, yet our reliance on oil has been anything but a formula for reliability or stability....

  • Food Advocacy and Policy-Making in the Nation's Capital

    This seminar examines the relationship between social movements and policy responses in current controversies over the U.S. food system. We will begin with a bit of theory, sampling the literature on social movement “success.” How can we evaluate...

  • The History of the Central Intelligence Agency: 1947 to present

    This course serves as an introduction to the CIA, its history, organization, and methods with a focus on its leading personalities. Students will examine the Agency's the origins of the agency's biggest successes and greatest failures. We will focus on...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S. relations with key countries in the Middle East and South Asia, East Asia, Europe and Eurasia, as well as the...

  • Bureaucracy and Public Management

    This course is about problems of public sector management, focusing on both political and technical aspects of managing and controlling public sector organizations.  It’s not possible to cover every aspect of bureaucracy and its management.   Hence, we...

  • Collecting Ourselves and Others

    The capital cities of nations function not only as centers for the exercise of power. Those who exercise power of various kinds – legislatures, presidents, judges, wealthy patrons, and even the electorate – also use art, material objects, and the...

  • Mind of Egypt

    Four years after what looked like a glorious, popular revolution in 2011, a counterrevolutionary force is in charge on the banks of the Nile. This course surveys Egypt’s history of the last two centuries to understand the foundation for some of the...

  • Modern Political Campaigns

    This course offers a unique overview of modern political campaigns.  It balances the important theories of democratic participation and historical context of elections with an understanding of what it takes to design and execute a modern political...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-Iranian relations, U.S. and the Middle East peace process, U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia and the U.S....

  • Money, Media and Message: Road to the White House 2016

    This course will look at all aspects of national campaigns, from the evolution of political parties and advertising, to the messages of potential ’16 candidates, the impact of social media and role of outside interest groups.  The class will provide...

  • Psychology for Public Policy

    Many policies attempt to change human behavior (e.g. reducing drug use, terrorism, or racial bias; encouraging saving for retirement, recycling, or educational achievement).  To do that, policy makers need to understand the causes of human behaviors,...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-Iranian relations, U.S. and the Middle East peace process, U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia and the U.S....

  • Cultural Heritage, Identity, and Power: Museums and Monuments in the Nation's Capital

    Physical artifacts, buildings and historic places are important markers of cultural heritage. Their meanings and associations inform viewers’ perceptions of the world, while their materiality draws people in, giving them a way of touching the past....

  • Modern Political Campaigns

    This course offers a unique overview of modern political campaigns.  It balances the important theories of democratic participation and historical context of elections with an understanding of what it takes to design and execute a modern political...

  • Politics of Water Policy

    As the title suggests, this course is about of the trenchant policy problems of our time, policy regarding the availability, uses, and distribution of water, particularly in arid parts of the world.  Though the focus of the class will be the American...

  • Public Health, Media, and Risk Management

    This course examines the complex relationship between language, culture, and medicine, examining these cross-culturally through multiple theoretical and disciplinary lenses and within diverse cultural and linguistic contexts from around the globe. Some...

  • The Central Intelligence Agency: 1947 to Today

    This course serves as an introduction to the CIA, its history, organization, and methods with a focus on its leading personalities. Students will examine the Agency's the origins of the agency's biggest successes and greatest failures. We will focus on...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S. relations with key countries in the Middle East and South Asia, East Asia, Europe and Eurasia, as well as the...

  • D.C. on Film

    Each class will be part discussion, part workshop. There is much to explore about the craft of screenwriting and how we as writers can effectively use the screenplay form to express our intentions on the page. Discussions will focus on pre-assigned D.C...

  • History of Church, State, and Schooling

    The multi-layered relationships between and among state, church, and formal schooling are complex. Simply setting out to define the terms hints at the complexity of the issues. For instance, “the state” can mean local, state, and national government...

  • Language and Culture in Global Public Health and Risk Management

    This course examines the complex relationship between language, culture, and medicine, examining these cross-culturally through multiple theoretical and disciplinary lenses and within diverse cultural and linguistic contexts from around the globe. Some...

  • Modern Political Campaigns

    This course offers a unique overview of modern political campaigns.  It balances the important theories of democratic participation and historical context of elections with an understanding of what it takes to design and execute a modern political...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-Iranian relations, U.S. and the Middle East peace process, U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia and the U.S....

  • Globalization and Transnationalism

    The course is designed to help the student develop a critical political economy analysis of the interplay between the globalization (of flows of people, material goods, information and political-cultural influence) and localized transnational dynamics...

  • Money, Media and Message: Road to the White House 2016

    This course will look at all aspects of national campaigns, from the evolution of political parties and advertising, to the messages of ’16 candidates, the impact of social media and role of outside interest groups.  The class will provide historical...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-Iranian relations, U.S. and the Middle East peace process, U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia and the U.S....

  • Youth, Social Media and Development

    Digital technologies and online social networks play an increasingly important role in the political, social and economic development of all societies. In the Global North and South, it is largely the young generation of men and women (30 years old and...

  • Campaign to Governance

    You are in Washington, D.C. during a pivotal moment in our history, as we inaugurate our 45th president and see the start of a new Congress. This course aims to introduce students to the academic study of American electoral politics by...

  • Globalization and Transnationalism

    The course is designed to help the student develop a critical political economy analysis of the interplay between the globalization (of...

  • Human Rights in Theory and Practice

    The course begins by examining the philosophical and political foundations of the international human rights movement, and probes debates over universality, culture, and human rights. The course also includes an introduction to the United Nations and...

  • Law and Society

    In this course, we will examine the relationship between the rules that govern us (law) and how we organize ourselves into communities (society), with the ultimate goal of understanding how American democracy works (or doesn’t work) to meet the needs...

  • Modern Political Campaigns

    This course offers a unique overview of modern political campaigns.  It balances the important theories of democratic...

  • Politics of Water Policy

    As the title suggests, this course is about of the trenchant policy problems of our time, policy regarding the availability, uses, and distribution of water, particularly in arid parts of the world.  Though the focus of the class will be the American...

  • Modern Political Campaigns

    This course offers a unique overview of modern political campaigns.  It balances the important theories of democratic participation and...

  • Museums and Memorials: Race and Empire in the Capitol City

    Washington DC is the center of American government. It’s monuments and museums serve as testaments to the triumphs, tragedies and contradictions inherent in the term “democracy.” Concentrating on the themes of race and American empire, this class will...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including U.S.-...

  • Anthropology of War

    This course will engage in social, anthropological and historical works to look at ways in which visual and textual medias both produce a culture of war and are produced by war.  Starting with the notion of war as a “primitive ritual,” this class will...

  • Money, Message & Media

    This course will look at all aspects of national campaigns, from the evolution of political parties and advertising, to the messages of potential 2016 candidates, the impact of social media and role of outside interest groups.  The class will provide...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including the Persian Gulf (Iran and Iraq); the Middle East and North Africa; U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia;...

  • Youth, Social Media and Development

    Digital technologies and online social networks play an increasingly important role in the political, social and economic development of all societies. In the Global North and South, it is largely the young generation of men and women (30 years old and...

  • Human Rights in Theory and Practice

    The course examines the philosophical and historical foundations of the international human rights regime, and probes debates over universality, culture, and human rights. The course also includes an introduction to the United Nations and regional...

  • Law and Society

    In this course, we will examine the relationship between the rules that govern us (law) and how we organize ourselves into communities (...

  • Money, Message and Media

    This course will look at all aspects of national campaigns, from the evolution of political parties and advertising, to the messages of...

  • Politics of Water Policy

    As the title suggests, this course is about one of the trenchant policy problems of our time, policy regarding the availability, uses, and distribution of water, particularly in arid parts of the world.  Though the focus of the class will be the...

  • Race and Ethnic Politics in a Post-Obama Presidency

    This course will examine the fundamental theories of race and representation as it applies to the lived experiences and quest for freedom, justice, and equality on part of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans and other groups....

  • Advocacy and the Politics of Change in Washington

    The political and public policy arena in Washington today can be characterized as one of sharp divisions, partisan polarization, and heightened competition. Engaging as a group in this conflict can be daunting. So how does a grassroots or community-...

  • Museums and Monuments: Cultural Heritage in the Nation's Capital

    Physical artifacts, buildings and historic places are important markers of cultural heritage. Their meanings and associations inform viewers’ perceptions of the world, while their materiality provides a tangible connection to past people and events....

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including the Persian Gulf (Iran and Iraq); the Middle East and North Africa; U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia;...

  • Advocacy and the Politics of Change in Washington

    The political and public policy arena in Washington today can be characterized as one of sharp divisions, partisan polarization, and...

  • Money, Message and Media

    This course will look at all aspects of national campaigns, from the evolution of political parties and advertising, to the messages of...

  • Religion and Public Policy

    This seminar will explore the relationship between religion and politics in America and more generally in liberal democracies, with an eye toward public policy. It will probe the extent to which there is indeed a separation between church and state,...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including the Persian Gulf (Iran and Iraq); the Middle East and North Africa; U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia;...

Spring Semester 2019 & Winter Quarter 2019

Core Seminar

  • Congress and Politics in Washington DC

    This thematic research seminar explores the history of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy, as well as other issues in contemporary politics and government. The subject matter will cover the...

  • General Research
    Gathering knowledge and learning the truth about the world around us is a fundamental part of human development and progress. While most of us take knowledge and truth for granted, the processes by which we understand our political, social, cultural...
  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and achievements in this field. Materials from the course (readings, documentaries, discussions of current events) will enhance...

  • International Policy

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions of international and global affairs. Through discussion of current events, student-directed research projects, and course readings, we will...

  • The American Presidency and Executive Power

    This course will put the current presidency in historical and theoretical context, drawing on a variety of readings and approaches. At its core, this class is about the problem of executive power in democratic government. We will study and reflect not...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Media

    What is the difference between “fake news’ ’and journalism? Does objectivity exist? Why does President Trump call the news media the “enemy of the people.? This seminar explores the rapidly evolving relationship between the news media, governing and...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington DC

    This thematic research seminar explores the history of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy, as well as other issues in contemporary politics and government. The subject matter will cover the...

  • General Research
    Gathering knowledge and learning the truth about the world around us is a fundamental part of human development and progress. While most of us take knowledge and truth for granted, the processes by which we understand our political, social, cultural...
  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and achievements in this field. Materials from the course (readings, documentaries, discussions of current events) will enhance...

  • International Policy

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions of international and global affairs. Through discussion of current events, student-directed research projects, and course readings, we will...

  • The American Presidency and Executive Power

    This course will put the current presidency in historical and theoretical context, drawing on a variety of readings and approaches. At its core, this class is about the problem of executive power in democratic government. We will study and reflect not...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Media

    What is the difference between “fake news’ ’and journalism? Does objectivity exist? Why does President Trump call the news media the “enemy of the people.? This seminar explores the rapidly evolving relationship between the news media, governing and...

Winter Quarter 2019

Core Seminar

  • Washington Focus

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, politics, culture, character and diversity of the nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city into...

Quarter Elective

  • Activism, Protest, and the Politics of Change in Washington

    How does social and political change happen in Washington? What strategies and techniques do underdogs use to take on entrenched and established powers in the nation’s capital? Making real change is difficult. Yet, there are several examples of...

  • International Human Rights
    This course will analyze theories, patterns, and cases of human rights violations throughout the world. What are international human rights standards? What social and political conditions seem to cause widespread human rights violations? What...
  • Money, Message and Media

    This course will look at all aspects of national campaigns, from the evolution of political parties and advertising, to the messages of potential 2020 candidates, the impact of social media and role of outside interest groups.  The class will provide...

  • Museums and Monuments: Cultural Heritage in the Nation’s Capital

    Physical artifacts, buildings and historic places are important markers of cultural heritage. Their meanings and associations inform viewers’ perceptions of the world, while their materiality provides a tangible connection to past people and events....

  • The Politics of Water Policy

    As the title suggests, this course is about one of the trenchant policy problems of our time, policy regarding the availability, uses, and distribution of water, particularly in arid parts of the world.  Though the focus of the class will be the...

Spring Semester 2019

Semester Elective

  • American Political Journalism

    This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

  • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington DC

    This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

  • Political Advocacy and Public Opinion in a Digital Age

    This course is for the bold and the brave, for the student who wants to examine effective communication methods that...

  • Politics and Poems

    This course is a space for writing and discussing poems in the nation’s capitol. The course title takes as inspiration the name of the renowned independent bookstore (Politics and Prose) in Washington, D.C. Accordingly, the texts we will focus on as...

  • Race and Politics in the American City

    The purpose of this elective is to equip students to think deeply and critically about racial politics in the American city in general – and about racial politics in the American city of Washington D.C. in particular.

    ...

  • The Science of Politics: Campaigns and Elections

    Anyone who hopes to pursue a career in politics – or just be a good citizen – should be familiar with some basics about the electorate and the mechanics of election campaigns.  Also, although energy, hard work, creativity, and political instinct cannot...

  • Youth, Social Media and Development

    Digital technologies and online social networks play an increasingly important role in the political, social and economic development of all...

Spring Quarter 2019

Core Seminar

  • Congress and Politics in Washington D.C.

    This thematic research seminar explores the history of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy, as well as other issues in contemporary politics and government. The subject matter will cover the...

  • General Research

    Gathering knowledge and learning the truth about the world around us is a fundamental part of human development and progress. While most of us take knowledge and truth for granted, the processes by which we understand our political, social, cultural,...

  • International Policy

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions of international and global affairs. Through discussion of current events, student-directed research projects, and course readings, we will...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Focus

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, politics, culture, character and diversity of the nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city into...

  • Washington Media

    This course will look at political communication, from the evolution of the news media, political parties and advertising to messaging by the candidates. We will study the impact of social media and role of outside interest groups. In addition, we will...

Quarter Elective

  • Modern Political Campaigns

    Political campaigns are as old as democracy itself but the methods have changed quite dramatically over the past 30 years.  This balances the theories of democratic participation and historical context of elections with an understanding of what it...

  • Race and Ethnic Politics in a Post-Obama Presidency

    This course will examine the fundamental theories of race and representation as it applies to the lived experiences and quest for freedom, justice, and equality on part of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans and other groups....

  • US Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including the Persian Gulf (Iran and Iraq); the Middle East and North Africa; U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia;...

Fall Quarter 2019 & Fall Semester 2019

Core Seminar

  • Congress and Politics in Washington

    This thematic research seminar explores the history of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy, as well as other issues in contemporary politics and government. The subject matter will cover the...

  • General Research

    Gathering knowledge and learning the truth about the world around us is a fundamental part of human development and progress. While most of us take knowledge and truth for granted, the process by which we understand our political, social, cultural,...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus...

  • International Policy

    "This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions that are global in scope and to guide you through the process of developing a significant research paper. This is not a field seminar in...

  • Judicial Process and Politics

    The theme of this course is that the judiciary is a political institution in the American scheme of government. This topic couldn’t be more relevant than it is now in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election as we witness courts across the...

  • The American Presidency and Executive Power

    Most Americans can name several presidents and even have opinions on “good” versus “bad” presidents. But how do we evaluate and measure what presidents do and our expectations for their leadership? This course will put the modern presidency in...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court

    "Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Focus

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, politics, culture, character and diversity of the nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city into...

  • Washington Media

    "What is the difference between “fake news’ and journalism? Does objectivity exist? Why does President Trump call the news media the “enemy of the people.? This seminar explores the rapidly evolving relationship between the news media, governing and...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington

    This thematic research seminar explores the history of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy, as well as other issues in contemporary politics and government. The subject matter will cover the...

  • General Research

    Gathering knowledge and learning the truth about the world around us is a fundamental part of human development and progress. While most of us take knowledge and truth for granted, the process by which we understand our political, social, cultural,...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus...

  • International Policy

    "This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions that are global in scope and to guide you through the process of developing a significant research paper. This is not a field seminar in...

  • Judicial Process and Politics

    The theme of this course is that the judiciary is a political institution in the American scheme of government. This topic couldn’t be more relevant than it is now in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election as we witness courts across the...

  • The American Presidency and Executive Power

    Most Americans can name several presidents and even have opinions on “good” versus “bad” presidents. But how do we evaluate and measure what presidents do and our expectations for their leadership? This course will put the modern presidency in...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court

    "Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Washington Focus

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, politics, culture, character and diversity of the nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city into...

  • Washington Media

    "What is the difference between “fake news’ and journalism? Does objectivity exist? Why does President Trump call the news media the “enemy of the people.? This seminar explores the rapidly evolving relationship between the news media, governing and...

Fall Semester 2019

Semester Elective

  • A Theater of Politics & The Politics of Theater

    Since 2006, this course has canvassed the Washington DC theater scene and discovered a wealth of offerings, many of them—not surprisingly—political in focus.  Which prompts the question: What should the role of an arts community be in an essentially...

  • Activism, Protest and the Politics of Change

    How does social and political change happen in Washington? What strategies and techniques do underdogs use to take on entrenched and established powers in the nation’s capital? Making real change is difficult. Yet, there are several examples of...

  • American Political Journalism

    This class will explore the relationships among politics, news media and government. It will do so by focusing on particular news events in which the role of the media became an integral part of the story. Some of the sessions may change based on guest...

  • Campaigns and Elections

    Even though we experienced an election last year where the rules supposedly did not apply, anyone who hopes to pursue a career in politics – or just be a good citizen -- should be familiar with some basics about the electorate and the mechanics of...

  • Economics of Public Policy

    Economic thinking provides an important set of tools for almost every aspect of public policy making. This course aims to offer students a basic understanding of economics and its importance in public policy making. The will begin by providing a broad-...

  • Nations and Nationalism *Update

    *Update: This class has been moved from Tuesday evenings to Thursday evenings.  The class will begin on Thursday, August 29.

    History is the database from which we learn what human beings have done in the past and are able and...

  • Race and Ethnic Politics from Obama to Trump

    This course will examine the fundamental theories of race and representation as it applies to the lived experiences and quest for freedom, justice, and equality on part of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans and other groups....

Fall Quarter 2019

Quarter Elective

  • Advocacy and NGOs

    This course introduces students to the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as agents of advocacy and socio-political, economic and cultural change. The emphasis is on a) examining ways in which the NGO sector operates at the local, national...

  • Road to the White House 2020: Understanding the Money, Message and Media of Modern Presidential Campaigns

    This course will look at all aspects of national campaigns, from the evolution of political parties and advertising, to the messages of potential 2020 candidates, the impact of social media and role of outside interest groups.  The class will provide...

  • US Foreign Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, focusing primarily on a series of regional case studies including the Persian Gulf (Iran and Iraq); the Middle East and North Africa; U.S. and Japan, the Koreas & East Asia;...

Winter Quarter 2020 & Spring Semester 2020

Core Seminar

  • Congress and Politics in Washington D.C.

    This thematic research seminar explores the history of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy, as well as other issues in contemporary politics and government. The subject matter will cover the...

  • Contemporary Politics and Washington Media

    What is the difference between “fake news’’and journalism? Does objectivity exist? Why does President Trump call the news media the “enemy of the people.? This seminar explores the rapidly evolving relationship between the news media, governing and...

  • General Research

    Gathering knowledge and learning the truth about the world around us is a fundamental part of human development and progress. While most of us take knowledge and truth for granted, the process by which we understand our political, social, cultural,...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and achievements in this field. Materials from the course (readings, documentaries, discussions of current events) will enhance...

  • International Policy Research

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions that are global in scope and to guide you through the process of developing a significant research paper. This is not a field seminar in...

  • Judicial Process and Politics

    The theme of this course is that the judiciary is a political institution in the American scheme of government. This topic couldn’t be more relevant than it is now in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election as we witness courts across the...

  • Presidential & Executive Power: Polling in a Presidential Election Year

    This class will provide you with the practical research skills required to design, field, evaluate, and analyze a sample survey with and focus on elections. It will combine statistical theory with actual practice and exploration, taking the insights of...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

  • Congress and Politics in Washington D.C.

    This thematic research seminar explores the history of Congress—the first branch under the Constitution—and its role in making public policy, as well as other issues in contemporary politics and government. The subject matter will cover the...

  • Contemporary Politics and Washington Media

    What is the difference between “fake news’’and journalism? Does objectivity exist? Why does President Trump call the news media the “enemy of the people.? This seminar explores the rapidly evolving relationship between the news media, governing and...

  • General Research

    Gathering knowledge and learning the truth about the world around us is a fundamental part of human development and progress. While most of us take knowledge and truth for granted, the process by which we understand our political, social, cultural,...

  • International Development

    This is an introductory course to the international development field. The focus is on some of the key questions, challenges and achievements in this field. Materials from the course (readings, documentaries, discussions of current events) will enhance...

  • International Policy Research

    This seminar is designed to help you to engage critically and think systematically about crucial questions that are global in scope and to guide you through the process of developing a significant research paper. This is not a field seminar in...

  • Judicial Process and Politics

    The theme of this course is that the judiciary is a political institution in the American scheme of government. This topic couldn’t be more relevant than it is now in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election as we witness courts across the...

  • Presidential & Executive Power: Polling in a Presidential Election Year

    This class will provide you with the practical research skills required to design, field, evaluate, and analyze a sample survey with and focus on elections. It will combine statistical theory with actual practice and exploration, taking the insights of...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court

    Gay marriage. The death penalty. Abortion. Health care. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will study the...

Winter Quarter 2020

Quarter Elective

  • Activism, Protest and the Politics of Change in Washington D.C.

    How does social and political change happen in Washington? What strategies and techniques do underdogs use to take on entrenched and established powers in the nation’s capital? Making real change is difficult. Yet, there are several examples of...

  • How Technology Shapes Public Policy

    The course begins by examining the relationship between technology and society, illuminating for students how culture, law, and policy have shaped technology’s development over the past century. Next, students will explore a range of contemporary...

  • Money, Message and Media

    This course will look at evolution of political communication, from broadcast journalism and political parties/ advertising to messaging by the candidates.  The quarter will also examine the impact of social media and role of outside interest groups. ...

  • The Politics of Water Policy

    As the title suggests, this course is about one of the trenchant policy problems of our time, policy regarding the availability, uses, and distribution of water, particularly in arid parts of the world.  Though the focus of the class will be the...

  • Washington History, Institutions & Rituals: Myth vs. Reality

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, institutions and rituals of nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city to the world’s most powerful...

Spring Semester 2020

Semester Elective

  • Current Issues in US Immigration Policy

    This course examines contemporary issues in U.S. immigration policy, one of the highest profile policy issues in recent years. The course will introduce students to the structure of US legal immigration and immigration enforcement policies, and will...

  • Lobbying, Money and Influence in Washington

    This course will be an intense examination of lobbying in Washington with particular attention given to the role of money and campaign finance in the operation of what has become a highly sophisticated and poorly under-stood network of advocacy and...

  • Political Advocacy and Public Opinion in a Digital Age

    This course is for the bold and the brave, for the student who wants to examine effective communication methods that influence public opinion and public policy in today’s political environment and experientially test those methods. Students will leave...

  • Politics and Poems

    This course is a space for writing and discussing poems in the nation’s capitol. The course title takes as inspiration the name of the renowned independent bookstore (Politics and Prose) in Washington, D.C. Accordingly, the texts we will focus on as...

  • The Science of Politics: Campaigns and Elections

    Even though we experienced an election last year where the rules supposedly did not apply, anyone who hopes to pursue a career in politics – or just be a good citizen -- should be familiar with some basics about the electorate and the mechanics of...

  • Youth, Social Media and Development

    Digital technologies and online social networks play an increasingly important role in the political, social and economic development of all societies. In the Global North and South, it is largely the young generation of men and women (24 years old and...

Fall Quarter 2020 & Fall Semester 2020

Core Seminar

Fall Quarter 2020

Quarter Elective

  • Power and Purpose: Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course explores the ideas and assumptions that guide U.S. foreign policy. We will consider how U.S. leaders choose to engage with the rest of the world -- and consider how they might in the future -- by focusing on a number of recurring themes...

  • Trump vs. Biden: Campaign 2020 and the Election of a Lifetime

    After stunning the nation, and the world, with his win in 2016, President Trump is facing re-election at a moment of racial unrest, economic uncertainty and a global pandemic.

    How did we reach this point? What, if any, lessons from previous...

Fall Semester 2020

Semester Elective

Winter Quarter 2021 & Spring Semester 2021

Core Seminar

Winter Quarter 2021

Quarter Elective

Spring Semester 2021

Semester Elective

Spring Quarter 2021

Core Seminar

Quarter Elective

  • Black Lives Matter: Race, Policy, & Democratic Governance

    This course will examine race and ethnic politics through the lens of social movements, public policy, and democratic governance. The #Black Lives Matter Movement was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer and engages...

  • Media, Message & Money: The Selling of a Candidate in the Digital Age

    This course will look at evolution of political communication, from broadcast journalism and political parties/ advertising to messaging by the candidates. The quarter will also examine the impact of social media and role of outside interest groups. In...

  • Power and Purpose: Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course explores the ideas and assumptions that guide U.S. foreign policy. We will consider how U.S. leaders choose to engage with the rest of the world -- and consider how they might in the future -- by focusing on a number of recurring themes...

Fall Quarter 2021 & Fall Semester 2021

Core Seminar

Fall Quarter 2021

Quarter Elective

  • Power and Purpose: Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course explores the ideas and assumptions that guide U.S. foreign policy. We will consider how U.S. leaders choose to engage with the rest of the world -- and consider how they might in the future -- by focusing on a number of recurring themes...

  • Washington History, Institutions & Rituals Myth vs. Reality

    Much is said about Washington, D.C. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, institutions, demographics, and rituals of nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city to the...

Fall Semester 2021

Semester Elective

  • Black Lives Matter: Race, Policy, & Democratic Governance (Remote Course)

    This course will examine race and ethnic politics through the lens of social movements, public policy, and democratic governance. The #Black Lives Matter Movement was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer and engages...

  • Economics of Public Policy

    Economic thinking provides an important set of tools for almost every aspect of public policy making. This course aims to offer students a basic understanding of economics and its importance in public policy making. The will begin by providing a broad-...

  • U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East

    What are the United States’ interests in the Middle East? Who and what determine those interests? And how are those interests pursued? This course addresses these questions in three parts. First, we will examine debates on what U.S. interests are in...

Winter Quarter 2022 & Spring Semester 2022

Core Seminar

Winter Quarter 2022

Quarter Elective

Spring Semester 2022

Semester Elective

  • A Theater of Politics & The Politics of Theater

    For more than a decade, this course has canvassed the Washington DC theater scene and discovered a wealth of offerings, many of them—not surprisingly—political in focus.  Which prompts the question: What should the role of an arts community be in an...

  • Black Lives Matter: Race, Policy, & Democratic Governance

    This course will examine race and ethnic politics through the lens of social movements, public policy, and democratic governance. The #BlackLivesMatter Movement was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer and engages...

  • Still a World in Motion? Migration and Displacement in Times of Pandemic and Nationalism

    Migration is one of the most salient and politically polarizing issues in the world today. We have been living in an “age of mobility,” with more people living outside of their country of birth than ever before. In 2020 there were around 281 million...

Spring Quarter 2022

Core Seminar

Quarter Elective

  • Introduction to Education Policy

    Education is a key component of a society’s ability to govern, foster the well-being of its citizens, and participate productively in a global economy.  As such, education reform is frequently controversial and highly politicized, particularly in...

  • Power and Purpose: Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course explores the ideas and assumptions that guide U.S. foreign policy. We will consider how U.S. leaders choose to engage with the rest of the world -- and consider how they might in the future -- by focusing on a number of recurring themes...

Fall Quarter 2022 & Fall Semester 2022

Core Seminar

Fall Quarter 2022

Quarter Elective

  • Black Lives Matter: Race, Policy, & Democratic Governance

    This course will examine race and ethnic politics through the lens of social movements, public policy, and democratic governance. The #BlackLivesMatter Movement was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer and engages...

  • Power and Purpose: Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course explores the ideas and assumptions that guide U.S. foreign policy. We will consider how U.S. leaders choose to engage with the rest of the world -- and consider how they might in the future -- by focusing on a number of recurring themes...

Fall Semester 2022

Semester Elective

  • Economics of Public Policy

    Economic thinking provides an important set of tools for almost every aspect of public policy making. This course aims to offer students a basic understanding of economics and its importance in public policy making. The will begin by providing a broad-...

  • International Security: On the Causes and Consequences of Political Violence Between and Within States

    This course will introduce students to the study of security in international relations. The course will begin by considering international conflict drawing from prominent theories of international relations. The course will then explore more specific...

  • The Science of Politics: Campaigns and Elections

    Anyone who hopes to pursue a career in politics – or just be a good citizen – should be familiar with some basics about the electorate and the mechanics of election campaigns. Also, although energy, hard work, creativity, and political instinct cannot...

Winter Quarter 2023 & Spring Semester 2023

Core Seminar

Winter Quarter 2023

Quarter Elective

  • Black Lives Matter: Race, Policy, & Democratic Governance

    This course will examine race and ethnic politics through the lens of social movements, public policy, and democratic governance. The #BlackLivesMatter Movement was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer and engages...

  • The Civil War and its Monuments in Washington, D.C.

    This course explores the course of the Civil War and Reconstruction in Washington, D.C., and how those events were remembered, forgotten, and memorialized. Students will read primary and secondary sources, discuss historical references in films,...

Spring Semester 2023

Semester Elective

Spring Quarter 2023

Core Seminar

  • Congress in History and in Transition (Lecture 1)

    Congress and other branches of the U.S. government were designed nearly two and a half centuries ago under circumstances and reflecting values and philosophies that bear little relationship to contemporary America. All of these institutions have...

  • Congress in History and in Transition (Lecture 2)

    Congress and other branches of the U.S. government were designed nearly two and a half centuries ago under circumstances and reflecting values and philosophies that bear little relationship to contemporary America. All of these institutions have...

  • Polarizer-in-Chief: Presidential Leadership in the 21st Century

    Most of us have been inundated with elections and politics for the past year. Many Americans can name several presidents and even have opinions on “good” versus “bad” presidents. But what do they actually do and how do we measure and evaluate their...

  • Power and Purpose: Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course explores the ideas and assumptions that guide U.S. foreign policy. We will consider how U.S. leaders choose to engage with the rest of the world -- and consider how they might in the future -- by focusing on a number of recurring themes...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court: Conflict, Change and the Court

    Immigration. LGBT rights. Healthcare. Abortion. The death penalty. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will...

  • Washington History, Institutions & Rituals: Myth vs. Reality

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, institutions and rituals of nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city to the world’s most powerful...

  • Washington Media: Fake News, Social Media, and the Reshaping of American Politics

    Do Twitter or Facebook threaten democracy? What is the difference between “fake news” and journalism? Should the media report what people want to know or ought to know? Does objectivity exist?

    This seminar examines the extraordinary changes to...

Quarter Elective

  • Political Advocacy and Public Opinion in a Digital Age

    This course is for the bold and the brave, for the student who wants to examine effective communication methods that influence public opinion and public policy in today’s political environment and experientially test those methods. Students will leave...

  • The Civil War and its Monuments in Washington, D.C.

    This course explores the course of the Civil War and Reconstruction in Washington, D.C., and how those events were remembered, forgotten, and memorialized. Students will read primary and secondary sources, discuss historical references in films,...

Fall Quarter 2023 & Fall Semester 2023

Core Seminar

  • Comparative Law and Society

    Remember back throughout your life to disputes among people, possibly about fairness or justice.  You probably have heard people say, “I’ve got a right.”  “It’s a free country and it’s my right.”  Or, “You don’t have the right to do x.”  The concept of...

  • General Research: Developing Critical Writing and Thinking Skills Through Independent Research

    The general research seminar introduces you to some of the main tools of social science research methods. You will learn and apply tools that will help you a) ask and try to answer critical questions about the world around you; b) understand the logic...

  • International Relations & Contemporary Civil War

    Civil wars, and wars that begin as some sort of civil war, are by far the most common and destructive form of organized political violence in the modern world. However, studies of these wars only reached substantial numbers in the wake of the Cold War...

  • Polarizer-in-Chief: Presidential Leadership in the 21st Century

    Many Americans can name several presidents and even have opinions on “good” versus “bad” presidents. But what do presidents actually do, what resources and limitations do they have in their ability to act, and how do we measure their performance and...

  • Power and Purpose: Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course explores the ideas and assumptions that guide U.S. foreign policy. We will consider how U.S. leaders choose to engage with the rest of the world -- and consider how they might in the future -- by focusing on a number of recurring themes...

  • Reducing Poverty and Inequity: Lessons from International Development

    This course introduces students to the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as agents of advocacy and socio-political, economic and cultural change. The emphasis is on a) examining ways in which the NGO sector operates at the local, national...

  • The American Congress: Design and Practice

    Congress and other branches of the U.S. government were designed nearly two and a half centuries ago under circumstances and reflecting values and philosophies that bear little relationship to contemporary America. All of these institutions have...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court: Conflict, Change and the Court

    Immigration. LGBT rights. Healthcare. Abortion. The death penalty. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will...

  • Washington History, Institutions & Rituals: Myth vs. Reality

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, institutions and rituals of nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city to the world’s most powerful...

  • Washington Media: Fake News, Social Media, and the Reshaping of American Politics

    Do Twitter or Facebook threaten democracy? What is the difference between “fake news” and journalism? Should the media report what people want to know or ought to know? Does objectivity exist?

    This seminar examines the extraordinary changes to...

  • Comparative Law and Society

    Remember back throughout your life to disputes among people, possibly about fairness or justice.  You probably have heard people say, “I’ve got a right.”  “It’s a free country and it’s my right.”  Or, “You don’t have the right to do x.”  The concept of...

  • General Research: Developing Critical Writing and Thinking Skills Through Independent Research

    The general research seminar introduces you to some of the main tools of social science research methods. You will learn and apply tools that will help you a) ask and try to answer critical questions about the world around you; b) understand the logic...

  • International Relations & Contemporary Civil War

    Civil wars, and wars that begin as some sort of civil war, are by far the most common and destructive form of organized political violence in the modern world. However, studies of these wars only reached substantial numbers in the wake of the Cold War...

  • Polarizer-in-Chief: Presidential Leadership in the 21st Century

    Many Americans can name several presidents and even have opinions on “good” versus “bad” presidents. But what do presidents actually do, what resources and limitations do they have in their ability to act, and how do we measure their performance and...

  • Power and Purpose: Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy

    This course explores the ideas and assumptions that guide U.S. foreign policy. We will consider how U.S. leaders choose to engage with the rest of the world -- and consider how they might in the future -- by focusing on a number of recurring themes...

  • Reducing Poverty and Inequity: Lessons from International Development

    This course introduces students to the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as agents of advocacy and socio-political, economic and cultural change. The emphasis is on a) examining ways in which the NGO sector operates at the local, national...

  • The American Congress: Design and Practice

    Congress and other branches of the U.S. government were designed nearly two and a half centuries ago under circumstances and reflecting values and philosophies that bear little relationship to contemporary America. All of these institutions have...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court: Conflict, Change and the Court

    Immigration. LGBT rights. Healthcare. Abortion. The death penalty. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will...

  • Washington History, Institutions & Rituals: Myth vs. Reality

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, institutions and rituals of nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city to the world’s most powerful...

  • Washington Media: Fake News, Social Media, and the Reshaping of American Politics

    Do Twitter or Facebook threaten democracy? What is the difference between “fake news” and journalism? Should the media report what people want to know or ought to know? Does objectivity exist?

    This seminar examines the extraordinary changes to...

Fall Semester 2023

Semester Elective

  • Activism, Protest, and Social Movements: Taking on the Power Structure in Washington DC

    How does political and social protest bring about change? What strategies and techniques do social movements and protests use to take on entrenched and established powers in the nation’s capital? Achieving real change is difficult. Yet, there are...

  • Economics of Public Policy

    Economic thinking provides an important set of tools for almost every aspect of public policy making. This course aims to offer students a basic understanding of economics and its importance in public policy making. The will begin by providing a broad-...

Fall Quarter 2023

Quarter Elective

  • Law and Politics of Memory

    This class will invite students to consider the law and politics of memory with a special focus on Washington, D.C.  In this class we will consider why we choose to memorialize some aspects of our history, but not others, and what impact those choices...

Winter Quarter 2024 & Spring Semester 2024

Core Seminar

  • American Foreign Policy Theory and Practice

    This course is designed to help you, the student, better understand and analyze the evolution of U.S. Foreign Policy past, present, and future. It sets the stage for a comprehensive approach to how key foreign and defense policy and strategy actors in...

  • Campaign 2024 and the Future of American Democracy

    No issue will command more attention in Washington, D.C. this year than the 2024 election. Its outcome may define the nation’s future for decades to come.   This course will explore the campaign in real time, using developments as a backdrop to gain a...

  • General Research: Developing Critical Writing and Thinking Skills Through Independent Research

    The general research seminar introduces you to some of the main tools of social science research methods. You will learn and apply tools that will help you a) ask and try to answer critical questions about the world around you; b) understand the logic...

  • Museums, Culture, and Politics

    This course is an introduction to both Museum Studies and its politics: practical, historical, and theoretical. To take full advantage of our location in Washington D.C., we will focus specifically on the organizational hierarchies and histories of the...

  • Polarizer-in-Chief: Presidential Leadership in the 21st Century

    Many Americans can name several presidents and even have opinions on “good” versus “bad” presidents. But what do presidents actually do, what resources and limitations do they have in their ability to act, and how do we measure their performance and...

  • Reducing Poverty and Inequity: Lessons from International Development

    This course introduces students to the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as agents of advocacy and socio-political, economic and cultural change. The emphasis is on a) examining ways in which the NGO sector operates at the local, national...

  • The American Congress: Design and Practice

    Congress and other branches of the U.S. government were designed nearly two and a half centuries ago under circumstances and reflecting values and philosophies that bear little relationship to contemporary America. All of these institutions have...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court: Conflict, Change and the Court

    Immigration. LGBT rights. Healthcare. Abortion. The death penalty. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will...

  • Washington Institutions & Rituals: Myth vs. Reality

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, institutions and rituals of nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city to the world’s most powerful...

  • Washington Media: Fake News, Social Media, and the Reshaping of American Politics

    Do Twitter or Facebook threaten democracy? What is the difference between “fake news” and journalism? Should the media report what people want to know or ought to know? Does objectivity exist?

    This seminar examines the extraordinary changes to...

  • American Foreign Policy Theory and Practice

    This course is designed to help you, the student, better understand and analyze the evolution of U.S. Foreign Policy past, present, and future. It sets the stage for a comprehensive approach to how key foreign and defense policy and strategy actors in...

  • Campaign 2024 and the Future of American Democracy

    No issue will command more attention in Washington, D.C. this year than the 2024 election. Its outcome may define the nation’s future for decades to come.   This course will explore the campaign in real time, using developments as a backdrop to gain a...

  • General Research: Developing Critical Writing and Thinking Skills Through Independent Research

    The general research seminar introduces you to some of the main tools of social science research methods. You will learn and apply tools that will help you a) ask and try to answer critical questions about the world around you; b) understand the logic...

  • Museums, Culture, and Politics

    This course is an introduction to both Museum Studies and its politics: practical, historical, and theoretical. To take full advantage of our location in Washington D.C., we will focus specifically on the organizational hierarchies and histories of the...

  • Polarizer-in-Chief: Presidential Leadership in the 21st Century

    Many Americans can name several presidents and even have opinions on “good” versus “bad” presidents. But what do presidents actually do, what resources and limitations do they have in their ability to act, and how do we measure their performance and...

  • Reducing Poverty and Inequity: Lessons from International Development

    This course introduces students to the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as agents of advocacy and socio-political, economic and cultural change. The emphasis is on a) examining ways in which the NGO sector operates at the local, national...

  • The American Congress: Design and Practice

    Congress and other branches of the U.S. government were designed nearly two and a half centuries ago under circumstances and reflecting values and philosophies that bear little relationship to contemporary America. All of these institutions have...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court: Conflict, Change and the Court

    Immigration. LGBT rights. Healthcare. Abortion. The death penalty. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will...

  • Washington Institutions & Rituals: Myth vs. Reality

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, institutions and rituals of nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city to the world’s most powerful...

  • Washington Media: Fake News, Social Media, and the Reshaping of American Politics

    Do Twitter or Facebook threaten democracy? What is the difference between “fake news” and journalism? Should the media report what people want to know or ought to know? Does objectivity exist?

    This seminar examines the extraordinary changes to...

Spring Semester 2024

Semester Elective

  • Activism, Protest, and Social Movements: Taking on the Power Structure in Washington DC

    How does political and social protest bring about change? What strategies and techniques do social movements and protests use to take on entrenched and established powers in the nation’s capital? Achieving real change is difficult. Yet, there are...

  • Race and Politics

    The study of both race and politics are fraught with preconceived notions, assumptions, and anecdotal evidence supporting personal views. In this course we will learn how race is studied by scholars, organizers, and ac(vists who not only submit their...

Spring Quarter 2024

Core Seminar

  • American Foreign Policy Theory and Practice

    This course is designed to help you, the student, better understand and analyze the evolution of U.S. Foreign Policy past, present, and future. It sets the stage for a comprehensive approach to how key foreign and defense policy and strategy actors in...

  • Campaign 2024 and the Future of American Democracy

    No issue will command more attention in Washington, D.C. this year than the 2024 election. Its outcome may define the nation’s future for decades to come.   This course will explore the campaign in real time, using developments as a backdrop to gain a...

  • Museums, Culture, and Politics

    This course is an introduction to both Museum Studies and its politics: practical, historical, and theoretical. To take full advantage of our location in Washington D.C., we will focus specifically on the organizational hierarchies and histories of the...

  • Polarizer-in-Chief: Presidential Leadership in the 21st Century

    Many Americans can name several presidents and even have opinions on “good” versus “bad” presidents. But what do presidents actually do, what resources and limitations do they have in their ability to act, and how do we measure their performance and...

  • The American Congress: Design and Practice

    Congress and other branches of the U.S. government were designed nearly two and a half centuries ago under circumstances and reflecting values and philosophies that bear little relationship to contemporary America. All of these institutions have...

  • The U.S. Supreme Court: Conflict, Change and the Court

    Immigration. LGBT rights. Healthcare. Abortion. The death penalty. Cell phone privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided cases on all of these topics in recent years, and its decisions ultimately touch the lives of all Americans. In this class we will...

  • The U.S.-Mexico Border through Film

    The 1,954-mile-long U.S.-Mexico border has been a recurring theme in U.S. popular culture, including music, television, and film. In movies, in particular, the border has been cast as a shadow zone and place of contrasts where struggles between light...

  • Using Policy to Address Health Disparities

    This course provides students with an overview of the policy-making process in the United States, with an emphasis on policies that impact public health. This course will utilize examples of current public health issues such as reproductive justice,...

  • Washington Institutions & Rituals: Myth vs. Reality

    Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, institutions and rituals of nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city to the world’s most powerful...

  • Washington Media: Fake News, Social Media, and the Reshaping of American Politics

    Do Twitter or Facebook threaten democracy? What is the difference between “fake news” and journalism? Should the media report what people want to know or ought to know? Does objectivity exist?

    This seminar examines the extraordinary changes to...