Director Spring 2011: Professor Michael Hayes, Department of Political Science
Program prerequisites | Course descriptions | Living arrangements |
Extra costs | Deadlines | Helpful links
Colgate University's Washington Study Group program combines rigorous academic analysis with a total immersion in Washington political life. During the semester, students take three senior seminars on various aspects of the American political system, conduct numerous interviews with political leaders, serve a 12- week internship (or two six-week internships), and develop a lot of political savvy. Begun in 1935, the Washington Study Group is the oldest of Colgate's study groups, was the first program of its kind established in Washington, D.C., and enjoys a reputation for seriousness of purpose and excellence of student performance. Many of its graduates return to Washington to take active roles in national government and politics.
Prerequisites
The Washington Study Group is open to students who will then be juniors, seniors, or exceptionally talented and mature sophomores. Students do not have to concentrate in political science to be eligible for the group (though most participants are political science majors).
Selections are made by the Director in consultation with other members of the Department of Political Science. Criteria for selection include: academic achievement, evidence of interest, and personal qualifications essential to successful participation in the program.
Successful applicants for the Washington Study Group must take one of the following prerequisite courses: POSC 210 (Congress and Decision-making in American Government), POSC 150 (America as a Democracy) or POSC 211 (The Presidency and Executive Leadership).
Courses
The program features three 400-level seminars, a 12-week internship with an executive agency, think tank,
congressional committee, or interest group (or, alternatively, two six-week internships), and interviews with a host of Washington policy-makers and analysts. Integrating course work with direct observation and participation, the various program components are structured to provide a balanced, varied, and coherent educational experience.
Each of the four program units is accredited as a political science course. The three graded courses (POSC 410, 412, and 414) count towards concentration credit, the pass/fail course (the internship component, POSC 413) counts towards graduation requirements.
1. Our Changing Constitutional Order (POSC 410)--8 weeks. An inquiry into the enduring principles and changing features of our constitutional order. This course will explore the how the policy-making process has evolved from the founding to the present, focusing on the expansion of the president's role in the legislative process, the changing nature of the party system, and the intergovernmental nature of domestic policy implementation. This class will meet as a daily seminar for the first two weeks of the program, then in weekly seminars for the next six weeks. Taught by Michael T. Hayes.
2. Readings and Research on American Government (POSC 412): The first half of this course meets as a weekly seminar, and explores several themes relevant to the students’ experience in Washington: why government organizations function (or fail to function) as they do, typologies of the policy process, the political/policy agenda, formation of interest groups, executive-congressional relations, the media, and current events. In the second half of this course, students, under the close supervision of the instructor, will research and write a major paper on a topic that draws upon sources unique to our Washington location. Taught by Robert Samuels.
3. Internships in the American Political System (POSC 413)--12 weeks. Students serve a 12-week internship with an executive agency, think tank, congressional committee, or interest group (or, alternatively, two six-week internships). The Readings and Research course (POSC 412) is designed to enhance and complement this internship experience. Pass/Fail. Placements and supervision by Robert Samuels.
4. Contemporary Policy Process (POSC 414)-- 7 weeks. This course continues and concludes themes developed in POSC 410 and 412. It traces major constitutional developments and controversies following the New Deal until today with an emphasis on how these have shaped the contemporary policy process. It applies the literature we have considered on the policy process, especially in POSC 412, to a case study (previous topics have included reforms of health care, welfare, campaign finance, lobbying, social security, and civil liberties/security issues arising from the war on terror). And it concludes with the question of constitutional or other structural reform. This class will meet as a daily seminar for the first two weeks after the semester break, then in semi-weekly seminars for the next five weeks. Co-taught by Michael T. Hayes and Robert Samuels.
Throughout the semester, as part of both the academic and experiential components of the program, we will have interviews with actors in various aspects of the policy process--media figures, interest group and party spokesmen, politicians, academicians, officials and high level civil servants. Students are expected to take full advantage of these opportunities by being active and informed participants.
Internship arrangements
(POSC 413). Located in executive agencies, congressional offices, the Supreme Court, think tanks, the media, and interest groups, the internships directly engage the students in the functions and activities of the political and governmental process. Arrangements for the internships will be made by Robert Samuels, who will draw upon his extensive experience in Washington to match the student with his or her interest and skills. Internships begin on the third week of the program.
Standards of conduct
Activities and behavior of the Study Group members in Washington must be consistent with their role and responsibility as students of the governmental process, as representatives of Colgate University, and --during internship assignments--as participants in governmental operations. The program is a full-time activity; this precludes any other work commitments such as part-time employment. On internship assignments, students maintain the regular work schedule of their offices.
Libraries and bookstores
For research papers, students may use the Library of Congress, the libraries of Georgetown University, American University, Catholic University, and the University of Maryland, or other public libraries located in the Washington area. They will also have check-out privileges from Georgetown University.
Living arrangements
Students live in Cleveland House apartments, rented by Colgate University, in the Woodley Park area of Washington. The apartments are conveniently located near the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro stop on the Red Line, within walking distance of good restaurants, shops, and Rock Creek Parkway.
Costs
Costs above Colgate’s tuition include room and board, travel to and from D.C., and necessary out-of-pocket expenses. On the average students can expect to spend $1,500-$2,000 more than a semester on campus. These increased costs are used in calculating the aid packages of students who receive financial aid, provided this is their first study group experience.
Students who are planning extensive personal travel will need to increase their budget accordingly.
Estimate Expenses Washington Study Group
Cultural activities
Washington offers an abundance of rich, cultural life, including the Smithsonian Museums, many drama and music venues, and a wide variety of sporting events, of both the participatory and spectator varieties. Information on these activities is available on our Washington D.C. guide (PDF).
Deadlines
Information sessions will be held on Thursday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m. in Persson 6 and Thursday, November 5 at 6 p.m. in Persson 109. Applications are available in Political Science (Persson 126) and in Off-Campus Study (McGregory 201). Completed applications should be submitted to Cindy Terrier in Political Science by November 20, 2009.
Faculty
Michael T. Hayes - Books include Lobbyists and Legislators, Incrementalism and Public Policy, The Limits of Policy Change, and Inside the House (co-edited with Lou Frey, Jr.). Winner of the E.E. Schattschneider Award and the Jack L. Walker Award from the American Political Science Association. B.A. University of Kansas; M.A. and Ph.D., Indiana University.
Robert M. Samuels - Advisor to the Inspector General at the General Services Administration. Former service in Office of Policy Development, Executive Office for Weed and Seed, and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention – all in the Department of Justice. A.B., Cornell University; M.A., Ph.D. Harvard University.
Helpful links