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Course Descriptions
Each year, the D.C. Summer Institutes provide a variety of unique courses spanning different academic disciplines. These courses provide students from all majors with the opportunity to explore timely topics, engage with experts, and experience learning beyond the classroom in Washington, D.C. Most courses also carry a COLL 300 or 350 credit. For 2027, we are offering an American Politics Institute, a Global Cultures Institute, a News & Media Institute, and a Public Health Institute. In addition to their enrollment in a specific Institute, students will take an Internship course.
Representation in American Democracy InstituteTaught by Professor Mackenzie Israel-Trummel The Representation in American Democracy Institute is a seven-credit academic program composed of an accelerated course and an internship in the D.C. area. The coursework will be taught by Professor Mackenzie Israel-Trummel and involves intensive instruction from academic experts and political figures to explore the inner workings of how Americans are represented—or not—by elected officials and bureaucratic actors. The internship involves undergraduate student fellows witnessing and interacting firsthand with policymakers in the formation of American political practices through internships at Washington, D.C. think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and political agencies.
Fellows will also develop a deeper knowledge of a topic in American politics by integrating the academic scholarship on representation with firsthand observations of real world politics in Washington. In addition, fellows will receive career guidance by the institute professor and Washington Center team, and network extensively with area alumni.
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Public Health InstituteTaught by Professor Sarah Menefee The Public Health Institute is a seven-credit academic program comprised of a one-week spring prep course, a two-week intensive course at the end of May, and a summer-long internship with an affiliated course (either through Public Health or Interdisciplinary Studies, depending on an individual student’s course needs). Combined, this program allows W&M students to work, learn, and live in D.C. for the summer.
This course will explore health impacts in D.C. and how to advance health throughout the population. In addition, the course will discuss individuals and organizations who work to improve health in our nation's capital. Students will learn what it means to work in the public health field. Learning about health in D.C. and considering solutions to complex public health problems will help students prepare for their summer internships and future work and study beyond the D.C. experience. In the two-week intensive May course, students will hear from speakers and conduct site visits at organizations who are working to enhance health in D.C. Through these site visits and guest lectures, students will learn about the benefits and challenges of working in a variety of public health settings. Students will connect with individuals and organizations who will provide invaluable insights and connections to help students advance in their potential future careers. Discussions, readings, and assignments will give students an excellent foundation for studying and working in a wide variety of fields. |
Global Cultures InstituteTaught by Professor Teresa Longo |
News & Media InstituteTaught by Professor Timothy Barnard A decade ago, we were said to be living in the “New Media Age.” Today, as those once-novel technologies age into our baseline infrastructure, we find ourselves navigating the “Age of AI.” Is Artificial Intelligence simply another medium—new or old—or does it fundamentally redefine how we construct, receive, and manage information? The 2027 DC News & Media Summer Institute explores the evolving relationship between legacy media, digital platforms, and emerging AI technologies. Combining critical Media Studies frameworks with experiential learning, this course transforms Washington, DC into a living classroom. Through seminar discussions, site visits, and direct engagement with leading “media brokers”—journalists, policymakers, creative producers, and communication strategists—students will analyze how media institutions are adapting to rapid technological, political, and cultural shifts. Key Questions Driving the Institute:
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Summer Internship CourseThis course is designed for students participating in the D.C. Summer Institutes. The aim of this course is to further students’ understanding of professional competencies and to help students think critically about the skills gained in their summer internship. In this course, students will be responsible for observing, analyzing, and reflecting on their professional experiences. Each assignment maps to a NACE competency. |