Overview of the Grinnell-in-Washington DC Program

The Grinnell-in-Washington DC Program combines academic work with internship opportunities in the center of the U.S. government, with its wealth of political, non-governmental, and cultural institutions. The program takes place in the fall semester of each year.

Courses
All GIW register for 16 credits, enrolling in POL 295: Contextual Policy Making, SST 300: Internship, SST 295: Organizational Life and Decision-making in DC, and the featured core course.

Grinnell-in-Washington DC courses may be used for major credit or for cognate credit toward the major in a number of departments. Students should consult with their major advisers to determine which courses will count toward their major. In planning their curricula, students must consult not only their academic advisers, but also the Grinnell-in-Washington DC program adviser.

Internships
All GIW students undertake an internship, which provides practical experience in the work place. Students also partcipate in an internshp seminar, affording the opportunity to reflect on work experiences within an academic framework. Internship placements vary from working with a non-profit organization on urban housing issues to helping in a school for children with sepcial needs to participating in the behind the scences operations of a museum, performance hall, or gallery. Internships are arranged to fit the interests and experiences of individual studnets.

Internships are 12 weeks in length, Monday- Thursday, approximately 32 hours per week. Internships are arranged by the Washington Internship Institute (WII), which has more than 10 years of experience in placing students into internships throughout the Washington DC area.

Life in Washington DC
Students have a variety of housing options in and around DC, attend class right off Dupont Circle, and take multiple field trips within Washington DC.

2009 DRAFT Schedule (to be finalized in summer 2009 - please contact Neela Nandyal with questions)

Saturday, August 22, 2009 Suggested arrival date for students, check-in day for BU Housing

Sunday, Aug 23, 2009 5:30 p.m. Welcome Dinner with Professor Sullivan

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 9 :00am - 12pm Orientation at Washington Internship Institute (WII)

Monday, August 31, 2009 1st day of internships

August 31- Nov 24, 2009 Normal class & internship schedule

Monday, Sept 7, 2009 Labor Day - some internship sites may be open on this holiday

Monday, Oct 12, 2009 Columbus Day - some internship sites may be open on this holiday

Friday, Oct 23, 2009 Day off for long weekend (coincides with GC fall break)

Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 Last day of internship

Nov. 25 - 27 (Wed - Fri) Thanksgiving - Holiday - No classes/internship

Nov 30 - Dec. 11, 2009 Classes, individual student conferences

Dec 3 or 4 (Fri-Sat) Attend cultural event and end of semester dinner with Professor Sullivan

Friday Dec. 11, 2009 Papers due to Professor Sullivan

Saturday Dec. 12, 2009 Students depart Washington DC