Curatorial Practice
This hands-on course provides students with both a theoretical
foundation and practical experience in all aspects of the curatorial
process, as well as an overview of museum operations. Using
the exceptional cultural resources of Washington, D.C., and
the American University Museum as their laboratory, students
present exhibitions of their own design as final projects. For
more information, contact museum@american.edu.
Civil War Institute
This week-long program introduces participants to the key causes
and consequences of the Civil War by exploring its remnants
and remembrances in the Washington, D.C., area. The intensive
program combines morning presentations and discussions with
afternoon field trips. Sites include Harper’s Ferry, Antietam,
Arlington National Cemetery, the Sherman and Grant Memorials,
Howard University, Fort Stevens, the Frederick Douglass Home,
Ford’s Theater, and a full-day trip to Richmond. The course
fee covers local travel costs, admission fees, and some lunches.
A noncredit option is also available. For more information,
contact history@american.edu.
Nuclear Studies Institute
Acquire the knowledge of nuclear history, culture, and policy
to understand the historical roots and psychological and political
dimensions of current nuclear weapons programs and options.
Participants gain an introductory intellectual and experiential
background to analyze policy options and take the lead in international
efforts to build a just and peaceful world. The institute consists
of two courses at American University and a study tour in Japan.
Participants may take either or both of the courses, in addition
to the study tour, allowing them to earn up to 9 credits. A
noncredit option is also available. For more information, go
to
Nuclear Studies Institute.
TESOL
American University’s TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of
Other Languages) Institute offers two sessions of course work
that enable students to complete AU’s TESOL certificate program
in one summer. Topics include principles of linguistics, English-language
teaching, the structure of English, and second language acquisition.
Students enrolled in TESOL Institute courses are invited to
participate in additional activities including lectures, short
courses, workshops, receptions, and other social events. For
more information, contact 202-885-2582 or tesol@american.edu.
Tropical Biology
Based at the Virgin Island Environmental Resource Station (VIERS)
on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, part of the Virgin Islands
National Park and United Nations (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve,
this two-week course introduces students to the ecology of tropical
environments. It includes extensive field work, including snorkeling
and hiking, and emphasizes the natural history of tropical flora
and fauna, island biogeography, and coral reef ecology. For
more information, contact kiho@american.edu
or go to Environmental
Study Program.
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION
Film and Digital Media Institute
The School of Communication’s Film and Digital Media Institute
offers an exciting summer of intensive courses and workshops
geared towards both experienced film and digital media professionals
and beginners. The courses and workshops are taught by American
University faculty and local professionals and are scheduled
during evenings and weekends. Classes are kept small to maximize
students’ hands-on experience. For additional information or
questions, contact 202-885-2665 or film@american.edu
or go to Summer Film and Digital Media Institute.
For information on all SIS summer programs, contact sissum@american.edu or go to SIS Summer Programs.
Human Rights in the Twenty-First Century
The summer Contemporary Human Rights Practice program for emerging human rights
scholars and activists is an intensive program addressing the needs of students and practitioners for training in human rights advocacy.
For more information, go to Human Rights Institute.
Peacebuilding and Development Institute
One of the first academic programs specifically organized to
bridge the fields of peacebuilding and development, this institute
provides training to foreign aid workers, government officials,
conflict resolution practitioners, and others working in conflict
zones to complement their daily field work. Experienced trainers
guide participants through sessions to explore the relationships
between religion, culture, human rights, and applied theories
in peacebuilding and development work. Participants explore
innovative methods, while expanding their knowledge and skills
in a participatory and interactive learning environment. For
more information, go to Peacebuilding & Development Institute.
Contemplative Sustainable Design
This three-week seminar, hosted at the Lama Foundation in San
Cristobal, New Mexico, provides students the opportunity to
live in a community in the mountains of northern New Mexico,
participate in building sustainable structures, and explore
the more contemplative dimensions of environmentalism. Students
examine the practical, political, technical, and economic facets
of sustainable design as they erect structures utilizing passive
and active solar energy. At the same time, students reflect
on their personal relationship with environmental politics and
the quality of their commitment to sustainability. For more
information,
go to Contemplative Sustainable Design Institute.
Campaign Management Institute
This institute comprehensively covers campaign techniques, strategies,
and tactics with emphasis on recent technological developments.
Students develop their expertise by utilizing the extensive
personnel and organizational resources in Washington, D.C. Group
seminars and campaign simulations develop and refine participants’
ability to coordinate successful political campaigns. A noncredit
option is also available. For more information, call 202-885-6251
or ccps@american.edu,
or go to CCPS Institutes.
Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute
Explore the lobbying profession through an intensive two-week
program. The format allows participants to become immersed in
the strategies and tactics of organized interests seeking to
influence the federal policy-making process. In addition to
the applied aspects of the public affairs field, the institute
places lobbying in a more theoretical perspective by linking
the practical components of political influence with broader
issues of democratic political representation. A noncredit option
is also available. For more information contact 202-885-6296
or ccps@american.edu,
or go to CCPS Institutes.
Women and Political Leadership Skills Institute
This seminar is designed to provide students with hands-on training
in political leadership skills. It begins with a background
in women and politics and the challenges women have faced entering
and advancing in the field. The next sessions offer training
in campaigns, polling, fundraising, media, writing, and networking
skills. Students then practice these skills on Capitol Hill
and have the opportunity to shadow a staffer of a woman member
of Congress. The seminar concludes with session on looking ahead
to the future of women in politics. For more information, contact
202-885-2903 or wandp@american.edu
or go to Women &
Politics Institute.
Washington Semester
Summer Program
Spend a summer in the power capital of the world, gaining professional
experience and academic credit. For more than 50 years, the
Washington Semester Program has been providing bright, ambitious
students the learning opportunity of a lifetime. Students gain
hands-on skills interning full time for a professional organization
in Washington, D.C., and augment their experiences through a
seminar in their field of study that meets one half-day per
week. Taught by an American University faculty member, the course
gives students an overview of their area of interest from a
Washington perspective and introduces them to important decision
makers. Internships are available in several fields including
national government and politics, foreign policy and international
affairs, economic policy and international business, justice
and law, and print and broadcast media and communication. For
more information, contact 202-895-4900 or 800-424-2600; or summerintern@american.edu
or go to Washington Semester Summer Internships.
Washington Semester American Indian
Program—
Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS)
WINS offers students of sovereign American Indian and Alaska
Native (AI/AN) nations the opportunity to build leadership skills
while living, studying, and interning in Washington, D.C. This
enriching program offers qualified students full scholarships
funded by American University and sponsoring organizations.
Participants gain professional work experience through internships
at a private firm or a federal agency such as the Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection
Agency, or Department of Agriculture, take courses focusing
on Native American public policy concerns, and enjoy social
and cultural extra-curricular activities. For more information,
contact 202-885-5934 or 800-853-3076; or wins@american.edu
or go to WINS program.
