Academic Seminars
Academic Seminars are an ideal way for institutions to use the resources of Washington, D.C., for academic purposes. Each one is an intensive learning experience that opens a world of insight on the most important issues facing the country and the world. Lasting from a few days to two weeks, an academic seminar at The Washington Center:
- Offers an in-depth look into a range of timely topics including public policy and the media, international affairs, national security and electoral politics.
- Allows participants to engage with influential leaders, policymakers and thinkers.
- Provides an insider’s access to embassies, Capitol Hill, and media or nongovernmental organizations.
- Enhances the institution’s presence in Washington, D.C., and ensures its students have a wide range of experiential and civic engagement opportunities off campus, often at a more affordable cost than study abroad.
- Provides freshmen and sophomores with a taste of off-campus programming provided by the institution, resulting in greater retention and a more focused academic and professional career path.
- Provides faculty development opportunities, especially for faculty involved in various forms of engaged learning on or off campus.
- Is designed to be worthy of academic credit and serves as an excellent complement to existing course programming or a strong opportunity for students and faculty between terms.
Academic Credit Model
Academic seminars are short-term participatory learning programs that involve influential speakers, site visits, small group discussion sessions, workshops and other planned activities allowing students to explore specific topics under the guidance of qualified faculty. Some programs have additional components, such as fieldwork assignments, mentors-for-a-day or a simulation.
While The Washington Center does not award credit, each seminar is designed to be worthy of academic credit at students’ home institutions. Most institutions award academic credit for successful completion of an academic seminar as follows:
- One week seminar: 1-2 credits
- Two week seminar: 2-4 credits
Academic credit is awarded by most institutions based on the evaluation provided by The Washington Center, as well as the student's completion of any additional requirements that the institution deems appropriate (e.g., a research paper). Students from semester schools sometimes register for these credits in the fall or spring semester preceding or following the academic seminar.
The Washington Center does not require students to enroll for academic credit for our seminars, but given the significant work involved, many like to have the option available to them. Regardless of the credit arrangement, students are required to attend and participate in seminar sessions, complete reading requirements, complete a structured academic journal, prepare an essay or even conduct an informational interview.
Faculty Opportunities
Bring a Class or Group
It is common for faculty to organize a group of their own students to attend an academic seminar at The Washington Center. Professors find many incentives for organizing their own group seminar:
- TWC’s Academic Seminars are an ideal professional development opportunity for faculty.
- Leading a group is an easy way for your institution to ensure that the work completed is sufficient for the number of credits being awarded for students’ participation.
- Cohorts are a way for you to help fully integrate what students learn with a particular course or curriculum offered on their campus.
- A full scholarship is awarded by TWC for every 10 fully paid students who accompany the faculty leader. This amount can be given to an 11th student or distributed among the 10 paid students to reduce the overall cost per student.
Customized Programs
You can bring a student group to Washington, D.C., over spring break for a customized program through the Washington Connection [3] opportunity. TWC will help you create and design an invaluable, once-in-a-lifetime experience that your students and you will always remember, leveraging 35 years worth of Washington-based experience and connections on your behalf. Build a program to suit your course material, degree program or special events. Learn more about Washington Connection in these seminar description pages. [3]
Faculty Leaders
Faculty leaders are chosen for their exceptional teaching skills. They are assigned to work with 10-15 students for the duration of the seminar. Responsibilities include:
- Facilitating small group discussions.
- Serving as advisors and mentors for seminar participants.
- Recommending a grade for each student.
- Working with their own students if they bring a minimum of 10 students from their school.
- Leaders receive a stipend for their work during the seminars. Additional information is available here. [4]
Faculty Fellows
College faculty and secondary education teachers are eligible to be involved in program activities as a participant, without the responsibilities associated with being a faculty leader.
Faculty Directors
For each seminar, a faculty director oversees the academic component of the seminar. Faculty directors select readings, advise on speakers and present lectures on relevant topics. Faculty directors are selected for their unique expertise and experience and provide analysis and insights into the various topics presented.
Recent faculty directors have included:
- Ross K. Baker, Ph.D. professor of political science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Presidential Inauguration 2009; Inside Washington 2002-2010; Congress and the Obama Presidency)
- Steve Bell, professor emeritus of telecommunications, Ball State University, former news anchors on Good Morning America (Presidential Inauguration 2009, Politics and the Media1998-2010: Politics and the Media)
- Thomas E. Cronin, Ph.D. McHugh Professor of American Institutions and Leadership, Colorado College (2008 Democratic National Convention)
- Hon. Mickey Edwards, J.D., Former Member of Congress (R-OK), Executive Director, Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowships in Public Service (2004, 2008 Republican National Convention)
- Juan Zarate, J.D., Senior Adviser, Transnational Threats Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies, former Deputy National Security Advisor (2005-2009) (2010: Top Secret: Challenges to National Security in a Global Environment)
Scholars-in-ResidenceScholars-in-Residence are national or international experts on topics related to a particular seminar who are invited to give periodic lectures and presentations during a seminar program. Often Scholars-in-Residence are chosen to be a part of the national political convention seminars. Among those recently involved were:
- Meena Bose, Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies, Hofstra University (Republican National Convention 2008)
- Michael A. Genovese, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science and Loyola Chair of Leadership Studies, Loyola Marymount University (Democratic National Conventions 2000-2008)
