Seminar Components

Through a combination of lectures, site visits, tours and special events this two week Academic seminar is one of the best ways for students to witness the impact of the political process on public policy and the critical role of the media in the political process.

 Inside Washington '10 is designed to give students the opportunity to gain and apply their academic knowledge in a participatory learning setting. The seminar is taught as a course, with two weeks equivalent to 3-4 credit hours (or 1-2 credits for a one week seminar).

Site Visits

Students will visit numerous offices in Washington ranging from embassies to special interest groups that try to influence both policy and news coverage.
 

Visite To The Newseum

newseum.org
During the Politics and the Media week, participants will spend half a day at the Newseum, one of the newest and most popular new museums in Washington.  Dedicated to the strengthening of the First Amendment, the various interactive exhibits and special programs help educate visitors about the news media and freedom of the press.

Seminar Extras

Past Speakers

Past seminar speakers have included:

Cost and Dates

* Program fee does not include food, travel or personal expenses.

Pricing Incentives*

* Awards are not cumulative; only the highest award is applied; for those not accompanying a group from one institution, a $300 deposit within 10 business days of acceptance is required in order to be eligible for these incentives.

Deposit

Participants who  are not coming as part of an organized group with a faculty member are responsible for paying a $300 deposit within 10 business days  of acceptance into the program. This deposit will be applied toward the final invoice.  Students that are part of an organized group with a faculty member will be billed $300 if they drop after December 1, 2009 or the full seminar tuition for which they are registered if they drop after December 22, 2009.

Refund policy

Based on confirmed written communication, students may withdraw by December 1, 2009  with no penalty and full refund of deposit.  There are no refunds after December 1, 2009.  Full Payment is due by December 22, 2009.

Housing and Student Life

The price of the seminar includes housing in a shared apartment. There is no reduction in fees for students not living in Washington Center housing. Services generally include: high speed Internet connection; TV and basic cable; local telephone service; basic linens.

Housing assignments are sent out approximately two weeks prior to check-in. Check-in will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the dates indicated. All seminar fees must be paid before a participant will be allowed to check-in. The Washington Center interns for Spring 2010 who attend this seminar receive no-cost housing between the end of the seminar and the check-in date for the internship, although the room assignment may change during the interim.

The Washington Center currently provides housing in conveniently located apartments in Northern Virginia and Maryland with access to the Blue, Orange, and Red Lines on the Metro and close proximity to downtown Washington, D.C. These facilities have a number of amenities in addition to Resident Assistants who are on duty in the evening.

Apartment layouts may include two bedrooms (4 people), efficiencies (2 people; studio apartment) and triples (3 people; 1 bedroom and separate living area); all facilities are non-smoking. We recommend that participants do not bring a car during their stay. Prior to their arrival, interns must submit a Parking Request Form to seek approval to park a car at their housing facility. Parking is limited and therefore not guaranteed. We cannot guarantee a participant's request for a specific roommate.

Application Instructions

To apply, please visit: www.twc.edu/topsecret  and click on the application link.  Once you have created an account and completed the general information, you must select or fill in the name of a campus liaison or faculty sponsor who must approve your application, if you are an undergraduate.  Upon approval, your application will be reviewed by The Washington Center.  If accepted, you will receive an invoice.  Full payment is required by April, 30, 2010.

Partnerships

The Washington Center regularly partners with other nonprofit organizations in Washington , D.C. to provide high quality academic experiences for its program participants. We expect this tradition to continue with such past partners as the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the National Journal, and others.

 

• The Center for Strategic and International Studies Partnership (CSIS)
   
• The National Journal Partnership
   

Academic Standards

Inside Washington is designed to give students the opportunity to gain and apply their academic knowledge in a participatory learning setting. The seminar is taught as a course, with two weeks equivalent to 3-4 credit hours (or 1-2 credits for a one week seminar).

Faculty leaders complete a written evaluation and recommend a grade that is sent to each student's home institution. Evaluation is based upon attendance, participation in large and small group sessions, completion of assigned readings, quality of written assignments (structured journal and essay), and demonstrated effort to achieve established academic and professional learning objectives commensurate with each student's level.

Actual credit and grades are awarded by a student's home institution through each campus/faculty liaison. The Washington Center does not grant academic credit.

Faculty Participation

The faculty director is carefully chosen to provide expert advice on the academic program, including readings, speakers, and topics. Faculty leaders are usually experienced, full-time faculty members at colleges and universities from across the nation who are experts in fields related to the seminar. They provide guidance and facilitate learning outside of the large formal settings.The support students receive from faculty leaders is often one of the most valuable aspects of the seminar experience.

Ross K. Baker, Ph.D.

The Congress and the Obama Presidency
Week One: January 3-8, 2010

Professor of Political Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Dr. Baker, one of the nation's most notable and often-quoted congressional scholars, is author of House and Senate, now in its third edition. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and has taught at Rutgers for over thirty years. He has worked for or served as an advisor to both U.S. Senators and Representatives, most recently in the spring of 2008. He is a frequent commentator and contributor to national news organizations such as USA Today, The New York Times and The Washington Post. Dr. Baker is the 2006 recipient of The Washington Center's Faculty Director Award for outstanding academic leadership.

Prof. Steve Bell

Media and Politics
Week Two: January 10-15, 2010

Professor Emeritus of Telecommunications, Ball State University and formerly of ABC’s “Good Morning America”

Prof. Steve Bell has an extensive career as a journalist, covering many of the nation's major events, political campaigns, conventions and elections. He covered the war in Vietnam and the White House and was the original news anchor on ABC's "Good Morning America." He has received several Emmy awards, an Overseas Press Club award and a Headliner's Award for his reporting. Prof. Bell is an active public speaker and writer and is often involved in special broadcast projects. He has a B.A. from Central College in Iowa and an M.S. in journalism from Northwestern University. Prof. Bell is the 2005 recipient of The Washington Center's Faculty Director Award for outstanding academic leadership.

Faculty Leaders

Faculty leaders, all of whom have a master's or Ph.D. degree, are chosen for their exceptional teaching skills and are assigned to work with up to approximately 15 students for the duration of the program. They direct the small-group discussions and serve as advisers, facilitators, and supervisors for the seminar participants. They are also responsible for providing a recommended grade for each student.

Faculty Fellows

College faculty are eligible to apply for the seminar as faculty fellows.  Participants pay for the program and fully participate in program activities. Faculty members who accompany 10 or more students from their home institution may either serve as a faculty leader or receive free housing while accompanying their students. 

• Pricing Incentives

How to Apply

Once you have created an account and filled in the general information, you must select or fill in the name of a campus liaison or faculty sponsor who must approve your application if you are an undergraduate.  Once approved, your application will be reviewed by The Washington Center.

If accepted, you will receive an email notification and instructions to log in again to complete the housing request and emergency contact information.  You may pay the deposit, if applicable, by credit card by calling The Washington Center finance office. Unless your institution is paying for the program, you will receive an invoice from The Washington Center. 

Full payment is required by Dec. 22, 2009.

Eligibility

College students in good standing at their home institution, recent graduates and faculty are eligible to apply for the program. For undergraduates, a Washington Center campus liaison or a faculty sponsor who agrees to receive a student's seminar evaluation must approve the application.

Students are not required to receive credit, but the program is structured in a way that requires all students to fully participate and to complete all assignments, regardless of their credit arrangements.  Participants must be at least 18 years of age to live in Washington Center housing.