DC Up Close: Policy, Politics, and Power
Step inside the heart of American policy making with DC Up Close: Policy, Politics, and Power—an immersive experience that takes you beyond textbooks to feel the real-world pulse of Washington, DC. In this course, you won’t just study policy—you will engage with it firsthand. Through thought-provoking readings, lively discussions, guest speakers, and exclusive events, you’ll interact with policymakers, strategists, and insiders shaping today’s most pressing issues. You’ll encounter the inner workings of Congress to behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, to explore the intellectual, practical, and personal dimensions of power. You’ll analyze key policy debates, question decision-makers from across the political spectrum, and uncover how ideas move from concept to law. Whether you're interested in governance, advocacy, or the forces driving national change, this course offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience Washington’s political landscape up close.
Topics
- Explain the structure of the American government, its actors, and its history.
- Discuss in both written and oral forms the policy-making process, using a specific policy area.
- Employ the tools and forms of the policy process.
Official roster learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027