OveRVIEW

Capital Semester on Political Journalism

Students in front of the Capitol

For 40 years, The Fund for American Studies has been educating student leaders from across the nation and the world. Capital Semester is offered each fall and spring. It combines professional experience, courses for credit and exclusive briefings, providing college students with an unparalleled experience in the nation’s capital.

LIVE.

Institute students live in furnished apartments on Capitol Hill, just steps away from restaurants, shops and the metro station. All participants are enrolled in 12 credit hours at Georgetown University, Washington’s leading institution of higher learning.

Students will attend exclusive site briefings and dialogues with journalists, politicians and policy makers. At a site visit to the Washington, DC bureau of USA TODAY , students met with Susan Page, the Washington Bureau chief and Catalina Camia, the White House editor. Students also visited Politico where they heard from Bill Nichols, the managing editor and David Mark, the op-ed editor.

LEARN.

Students tour the offices of USA Today

The rigorous curriculum consists of the following three courses (12 credits):

Theories of Constitutional Interpretation (GOVT 408 • 3 credits)
In order to cover political journalism, one must have a thorough understanding of the political principles upon which the country was founded. This course reflects on the provisions, values and contributions the Constitution has made to policy and governance in the United States.

Economics and Public Policy Issues (ECON 219 • 3 credits)
Every news story has an economic angle. This course enables students to analyze how economics affects public policy issues. Theory of economics is explained to show how economic systems work in societies.

Journalism Internship Seminar (GOVT 241 • 6 credits)
This dynamic course allows students to earn credit for their internship experience. A seasoned journalist will lead discussions of current public policy issues, internship reflection, career building activities, practical journalism exercises and journalism related site visits.

As a part of the seminar, students attend out-of-class activities such as:

• A trip to the Newseum
• A tour of Politico
• A tour of USA Today and the Gannett Company
• A luncheon at the National Press Club

INTERN.

Capital Semester on Political Journalism assigns internships in print and broadcast media with newspapers, magazines, newsletters, television networks and radio networks, as well as internet publications, news services and PR firms. Students work approximately 30 hours per week. While responsibilities vary, they often include covering congressional hearings, writing articles for publication, editing and producing news stories and assisting with media relations and research.

A student conducts an interview for her internship with Voice of America

Past Internship sites include:

ABC Nightline
The Chicago Tribune
Federal Times
FOX News
Gannett News Service
Meet the Press
MSNBC
National Journal
National Public Radio
NBC Nightly News
Politics Magazine
Radio Free Europe
Street Sense
The McLaughlin Group
The Washington Times
USA TODAY
Voice of America
Washington Examiner

ADMISSIONS

Students pose during a White House briefing

All students must be undergraduates who have completed at least two semesters of study at an accredited college or university by the start of the program. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. When applying online, please select the semester of Capital Semester you wish to apply for along with the Political Journalism Track.

Spring 2011 Deadlines:
Early Deadline - October 1, 2010
International Student Deadline - October 15, 2010
Final Deadline - November 1, 2010

Scholarships
Approximately 75% of students receive scholarship funding with an average award of $4,000. Awards are based on academic excellence, leadership ability and financial need.

Program Costs
12 Credit Tuition & Housing - $15,900



LIVE. LEARN. INTERN. Spend the Semester Reporting in the Nation's Capital.