Academics

Overview

Students are afforded the opportunity to learn about politics and economics in both the classroom and through internships

All participants are enrolled at Georgetown University, Washington's leading institution of higher learning, where they can earn either six or nine credit hours.

Academic study is focused on current public policy issues, political trends and the economics of the free market system.

The institute is an intense academic program with two mandatory courses as well as the optional internship seminar that allows students to earn credit for the internship and focuses on leadership development and career building activities.

The Judd Lecture Series is also a part of the course curriculum. Through this unique weekly series, students hear from internationally-recognized economists and foreign policy experts who discuss topics such as U.S. policy towards China, conflict and resolution in the Middle East, the future of democracy in Africa and the lasting effects of communism.

The ICPES curriculum is comprised of the following three courses:

Required courses

Comparative Economic Systems (All students regardless of track)
(3 credits) ECON 257
(Prerequisite of 3 credits of undergraduate micro or macroeconomics required)

The Transformation of American Politics (Domestic track students only)
(3 credits) GOVT 230
OR
U.S. Foreign Policy (International Affairs track students only)
(3 credits) GOVT 384

Optional Course

Public Policy Internship Seminar
Optional Course
(3 credits) GOVT 241

**Classes are approximately ten hours a week.**

**Students are enrolled in courses based on the track to which they are admitted; in some cases, this may not be the track to which the student applied.**

**Students are responsible for checking with their home universities about the transferability of credits for these courses**

Summer 2009 Schedule:

Monday
9.00am - 5.00pm -- Internships
6.00pm - 9.00pm -- Comparative Economics (June)
& Transformation of American Politics or U.S. Foreign Policy Process (July)

Tuesday
9.00am - 5.00pm -- Internships
7.00pm - 8.30pm -- Judd Lecture Series

Wednesday
9.00am - 5.00pm -- Internships
6.00pm - 9.00pm Comparative Economics (June)
& Transformation of American Politics or U.S. Foreign Policy Process (July)

Thursday
9.00am - 5.00pm -- Internships
6.00pm - 7.30pm -- Public Policy Internship Seminar (June and July)

Friday
9.00am - 12.00pm -- Comparative Economics (June)
& Transformation of American Politics or U.S. Foreign Policy Process (July)

“ICPES has been an invaluable experience for me. The amount of knowledge that the professors displayed in their respective fields and their ability to captivate a large class for three hours is awe-inspiring.”
Valerie Brusilovsky
University of Denver
Intern, U.S. Department of State