Academics

Syllabi are for course approval and reference only. Students will receive up-to-date syllabi when their courses begin.

Students participating in the Washington, DC Internship Program work at their internship four days a week and enroll in night courses.

Core Course

CAS SS 350 American Institutions
This course, led by a former member of Congress, focuses on the most important institutions and traditions in the United States including the presidency, the Supreme Court, Congress, the military and the media and features frequent guest lecturers. 4 cr. Syllabus

Elective Courses

Students can choose two from the list of courses below, or may replace one of them with a course at George Washington University or the Washington campus of Johns Hopkins University as part of the program (subject to class size limits).

CAS HI/PO/IR 356 American Governance: Foreign Affairs
This course aims to provide an overview of American presidents in the twentieth century and how they affected American foreign policy. The course covers specific presidential campaigns worth noting, as well as the individuals who helped craft the modern-day American political tradition and considers how politics relates to foreign policy in America. Concepts such as isolationism, manifest destiny, moralism, rule of law, national self-interest, and terrorism are discussed. 4 cr. Syllabus

CAS PO 406 Introduction to Congressional Policy Making
The purpose of this course is for the student to gain a working knowledge of the U.S. Congress, from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. The course features assigned readings and lectures as well as guest speakers, current periodicals, and in-class discussions. 4 cr. Syllabus

Internship Courses

The course number will depend on the field of specialization in which the student completes their internship. Placements are contingent upon the student's past experience and available opportunities in any given semester, so flexibility is essential.

CAS AH 505 Internship in the Arts/Architecture
CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
CAS EE 404 Internship in Energy and Environmental Policy
CAS HU 425 Practicum in Visual/Performing Arts
CAS IR/PO 455 Internship in International Organizations
CAS PO 404 The Washington Internship
CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics
CAS PO 453 Internship in Comparative Law
CAS PS 495 Internship in Health and Human Services
COM CM 471 Internship in Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Television
COM JO 411 Internship in Journalism
SHA HF 390 Internship in Hospitality Administration

Since students receive credit for the internship, there must be an academic component in addition to the time spent at the internship site. All internships are 4-credit. Regardless of the course chosen, the academic components are the same. Syllabus

Internship Seminar Option
Students also have the option of taking the Washington Seminar for 4 credits in place of one of the elective courses and in accompaniment with the internship. The Washington Seminar builds upon the internship course with a series of field trips to places such as the Supreme Court, the British Embassy, think tanks, lobbying firms, and a meeting with a former Ambassador. The syllabus for the Washington Seminar replaces the Internship Course syllabus. Syllabus

CAS IP 400 Washington Seminar, 4 cr.

Internship Areas

Please note the following are examples of past internship placements only. While BU International Programs guarantees an internship to program participants, specific placements vary from semester to semester and may not always be available. Likewise, internship placements may be available in academic areas not listed.

Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
Work in marketing, product development, design, and presentation for specific advertising agencies or public relations departments of larger organizations. Past internship placements have included the Smithsonian Institution public affairs office, commercial advertising agencies, and congressional press offices.

Arts/Arts Administration
Work for museums, theaters, or galleries. Past internship placements have included the Smithsonian Institution, the Phillips Collection, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Phillips Collection, and the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company.

Business/Economics/Management
Work in the finance, accounting, legal, or marketing research departments of corporations or government agencies. Past internship placements have included the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Organization for International Investment.

Health/Human Services
Work in hospital rehabilitation, therapy, or education programs; health center administration; social service departments; community care centers; or social activist organizations. Past internship placements have included the Children’s Defense Fund, Families USA, and government health policy agencies, and congressional committees.

Hospitality Administration
Work in the hospitality industry in hotel or restaurant management. Past internship placements have included the Omni Shoreham Hotel and the Washington Sheraton.

International Relations
Work for international organizations based in Washington, DC. Past internship placements have included the Organization of American States, American Jewish Committee, the Korea Economic Institute, and the National Defense University.

Politics
Work in either the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of government or for organizations with an international scope. Past internship placements have included the executive office of the President, the office of the Vice-President, Democratic and Republican members of Congress, Senate and House committees, federal agencies, and think tanks including the American Enterprise Institute and the Center for American Progress.

Pre–law
Work in research and documentation for local Washington, DC law firms, government agencies, or public interest groups. Past internship placements have included the Department of Justice, the American Civil Liberties Union, the District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General, and the International Law Institute.

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