Archer Fellowship Program Courses
The Archer Fellowship is a unique academic experience, which includes the classes below. All undergraduate Archer Fellows enroll in the same 15 hours.
Politics of National Memory (Beyond Congress and the White House) - 3 credit hours
Dr. Joel Swerdlow
This course will help you better understand power in our nation’s capital, especially what lies beyond Congress and the White House. Class participants will study Washington, D.C., in a way that is only possible right here, using the National Mall and nearby locations such as Arlington Cemetery and the National Archives as a textbook. Each week, students will visit different places in order to examine complex issues such as the use of DDT to combat malaria, the relationship between democracy and war, and the future of the Internet. This class is conducted like a graduate seminar, emphasizing discussion and other forms of participation. To the degree possible, coursework will relate to students' internships and to headline-making events. Core readings are by James Madison and Walt Whitman.
Watch this video produced by an Archer Fellow alumnus for a firsthand perspective of the Archer Fellowship Program course Politics of National Identity.
Politics of National Memory (Beyond Congress and the White House) - 3 credit hours
Dr. Joel Swerdlow
This course will help you better understand power in our nation’s capital, especially what lies beyond Congress and the White House. Class participants will study Washington, D.C., in a way that is only possible right here, using the National Mall and nearby locations such as Arlington Cemetery and the National Archives as a textbook. Each week, students will visit different places in order to examine complex issues such as the use of DDT to combat malaria, the relationship between democracy and war, and the future of the Internet. This class is conducted like a graduate seminar, emphasizing discussion and other forms of participation. To the degree possible, coursework will relate to students' internships and to headline-making events. Core readings are by James Madison and Walt Whitman.
Watch this video produced by an Archer Fellow alumnus for a firsthand perspective of the Archer Fellowship Program course Politics of National Identity.
| spring_2022_syllabus_politics_of_national_memory.pdf |
The Policymaking Process - 3 credit hours
Dr. Michelle Chin
At a press conference in July 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously declared that, “It is the duty of the President to propose and it is the privilege of the Congress to dispose.” In reality, there are many actors in the federal policymaking process: the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, the media and the public. This course will give a brief introduction to the philosophical foundations of the federal system of government in the United States and the federal policy process. Students will also explore the influence of politics on the policy and procedures of the three branches of government, and will learn about the role each institution plays in a representative democracy. Students will gain practical experience in developing an appropriate solution to a real world policy problem.
Watch this video produced by Dr. Michelle Chin for a firsthand perspective of the Archer Fellowship Program course The Policy-Making Process.
Dr. Michelle Chin
At a press conference in July 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously declared that, “It is the duty of the President to propose and it is the privilege of the Congress to dispose.” In reality, there are many actors in the federal policymaking process: the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, the media and the public. This course will give a brief introduction to the philosophical foundations of the federal system of government in the United States and the federal policy process. Students will also explore the influence of politics on the policy and procedures of the three branches of government, and will learn about the role each institution plays in a representative democracy. Students will gain practical experience in developing an appropriate solution to a real world policy problem.
Watch this video produced by Dr. Michelle Chin for a firsthand perspective of the Archer Fellowship Program course The Policy-Making Process.
| spring_2022_syllabus_policymaking_process.pdf |
Advocacy and Politics - 3 credit hours
Dr. John Daly
This course is an introduction to the issues individuals face when placed in the role of being advocates for an issue, idea, or even for themselves. The goal of the course is for class participants to grasp concepts they will see and experience during their internship in Washington, D.C. Half of this class is intentionally scheduled for the beginning of the semester. Students will not only learn about advocacy, but hopefully many questions and concerns about the internship process will be answered during the course as well. Readings are The Prince by Machiavelli, Advocacy: Championing Ideas and Influencing Others by Dr. John Daly, and Hardball: How Politics is Played Told by One Who Knows the Game by Chris Matthews.
Dr. John Daly
This course is an introduction to the issues individuals face when placed in the role of being advocates for an issue, idea, or even for themselves. The goal of the course is for class participants to grasp concepts they will see and experience during their internship in Washington, D.C. Half of this class is intentionally scheduled for the beginning of the semester. Students will not only learn about advocacy, but hopefully many questions and concerns about the internship process will be answered during the course as well. Readings are The Prince by Machiavelli, Advocacy: Championing Ideas and Influencing Others by Dr. John Daly, and Hardball: How Politics is Played Told by One Who Knows the Game by Chris Matthews.
| spring_2022_syllabus_advocacy_and_politics.pdf |
Archer Center Washington Internship - 6 credit hours
Dr. Michelle Chin and Dr. Joel Swerdlow
Students secure full-time internships in Washington, D.C., organizations ranging from the Supreme Court to the United Nations Information Center. Participation in the internship for at least 40 hours per week is required throughout the duration of the semester in Washington. Students will be evaluated regularly via supervisor surveys and will be required to submit a final report on their experience. Additionally, students will be encouraged to bring their internship experiences into their other classes for discussion and contribution.
Dr. Michelle Chin and Dr. Joel Swerdlow
Students secure full-time internships in Washington, D.C., organizations ranging from the Supreme Court to the United Nations Information Center. Participation in the internship for at least 40 hours per week is required throughout the duration of the semester in Washington. Students will be evaluated regularly via supervisor surveys and will be required to submit a final report on their experience. Additionally, students will be encouraged to bring their internship experiences into their other classes for discussion and contribution.
| spring_2022_syllabus_archer_center_washington_internship.pdf |
