Classes are taught at the BU Washington, D.C. Academic Center, both by distinguished scholars and practitioners in various fields (think tanks, Capitol Hill, universities, news bureaus). Instructors know Washington well and provide an excellent academic perspective along with professional expertise. Students participate in the internship experience for four days a week and enroll in three evening elective courses.
Elective Courses
Students must take 3 of the following electives.
Suggested Electives
The following courses are recommended (but not required) because of their relevance to the internship.
COM JO 210 Reporting in Depth
Pre-req of COM JO 200 and COM JO 205.
In JO 210 you will learn and practice in-depth reporting in a community. You will develop sources, walk the streets, cover a beat, attend meetings, shoot photos and provide readers with public interest journalism. This is a working newsroom.
Units: 4
BU Hub areas:
Individual in Community
Writing-Intensive Course
Research and Information Literacy
COM JO 510 Government and the Media
Advanced course in public affairs reporting. Through lectures, class discussion, and readings, students learn about the development of political reporting and also analyze contemporary public affairs reporting. Students gain experience through reporting assignments on Congress and federal agencies. For their final project students complete a magazine-length enterprise article on a public affairs issue.
Units: 4
Additional Electives
CAS HI 281/PO 201/IR 356 American Governance: Foreign Affairs
Overview of American presidencies of the late twentieth century, specifically considering how politics relates to foreign policy in America. Concepts including isolationism, manifest destiny, moralism, rule of law, national self-interest, and terrorism are discussed. Special focus on Iraq and Afghanistan.
Units: 4
CAS HI 327/CAS PO 204 The Modern US Senate: From Collaboration to Confrontation
Examines the history of the US Senate with a special focus on increasing partisanship since WWII. Addresses major policy issues and landmark pieces of legislation as well as the lives and legacies of prominent individual Senators. Includes guest lecturers.
Units: 4
CAS IR 324/PO 280 American Policymaking in the Global Era: American Grand Strategy and Decision Making in a Rapidly Changing Global Environment
Course examines American international economic decision-making in a changing global economy and addresses current theories of International Political Economy with respect to trade, finance, and the development of global corporations. Explores how American policy shaped the post-World War II global economy.
Units: 4
BU Hub areas:
Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
Oral and/or Signed Communication
CAS IR 338 Conflict, Violence and Peacebuilding
This course introduces the field of peacebuilding and conflict and examines its various facets to equip students to analyze the social and political dynamics of peace and conflict. Students will learn about the basics of the field, the importance of conflict analysis, and the options for nonviolent responses to prevent and resolve conflicts and ensure sustainable post-conflict transformation. The last part of the course will offer students an opportunity to simulate real-world conflict negotiations and problem-solving efforts experienced by policy makers involved in conflict resolution. There are no prerequisites for the course but the ideal student will have an interest and background in international relations and be a keen follower of current affairs.
Units: 4
CAS IR 391/PO 246 Democracy in the 21st Century: Reality and Reinvention
Comparative perspective on the history of democracy and democratization. Explores conditions, catalysts, and processes of democratic change with a focus on current trends in the democratization debate. Special focus on Iran as a case study.
Units: 4
BU Hub areas:
Creativity/Innovation
Ethical Reasoning
Social Inquiry 1
CAS IR 576E Artificial Intelligence Course
Artificial Intelligence and other disruptive technologies are fundamentally reshaping our society, economics, and security, challenging traditional governance structures across the world. This course examines the disruption and impact that these technologies have by looking at the issues through the policy lens of Washington, D.C. We will explore the mismatch between the rapidly evolving power of new technologies and the comparatively outdated institutional frameworks currently in place and examine what challenges these are creating for democracy, public trust, and social and international stability.
Units: 4
CAS PO 202 Introduction to Congressional Policy Making
Formerly CAS PO 406
The purpose of this course is for the student to gain a working knowledge of the US 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.
Units: 4
CAS PO 203/COM CM 556 Strategies for Issue Development and Policy Change
Focuses on the specialized forms of communication that political professionals use to win public support for their issues, candidates, and policy positions; and teaches concrete planning skills for those interested in influencing public policy using both inside and outside (or grassroots) strategies.
Units: 4
COM CM 305 Public Relations Inside the Beltway
Provides students with an overview of professional principles and practice for public relations in the Washington area with a special emphasis on governmental public relations. Includes an examination of the history, organization, and scope of the public relations field throughout the nation and in D.C. Theories, strategies, and tactics of current public relations practice are emphasized as well as opportunities and requirements for work in the field.
Units: 4
Internship Areas
Students will be supported by the Washington D.C staff in the internship search process by providing internship search resources, feedback on resumes and cover letter drafts, and practice for interviews. However, students are responsible for finding and securing their own internships. Placements are based on the student’s academic training, previous work experience, intellectual objectives, and unique Washington, D.C. opportunities. Students are encouraged to start their internship search early and be open to a range of professional opportunities.
Possible placements include Congressional and federal offices, law firms, think tanks, PR and communications firms, public affairs offices, NGOs, and advertising agencies.
Please note that these are examples of past internship placements only. Specific placements vary from term to term based upon industry availability. While we aim to provide the most comprehensive internship list, some placements may be available in academic areas not listed.
Internship Course
Study Abroad will enroll students in a non-unit Hub co-curricular and a four-unit internship course, which includes a classroom component. The internship seminar meets most Fridays and complements the internship experience by developing student’s professional skills and career readiness, while also learning about the unique culture of Washington, D.C.
Upon successful completion of the internship experience, students will receive a Hub requirement in the area Individual in Community (IIC) from the co-curricular HUB SA 330.
