The Washington Economic Policy Semester Seminar is an intensive examination of economic policy making in Washington. The heart of the seminar is on-site discussions with economic policy decision makers and economic policy analysts. Academic focus will be on global economic policy.

You study in – depth the economic policy – making process in Washington and take an intense look at the vital role of economic activities in U.S. policy. During the first half of your semester, you explore domestic economic policy, including macroeconomics (fiscal and monetary) and microeconomics (labor and employment). You also look at the relationship between domestic banks and the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed). Your seminar’s mix of international and American students allows you to discuss and compare Social Security in the United States with the social insurance systems of your classmates’ home countries.

The second half of your semester is devoted to international economic policy. Current events shape the selection of speakers and discussion topics. For example, the tragic events of 9/11 warranted a visit to the Islamic Center of Washington and meetings with specialists who discussed the effects on U.S. financial markets and with a Middle East and North Africa specialist at the World Bank who briefed the class on the lack of economic development in Iraq. Your semester is unique, as its content is influenced by relevant events occurring at the time you attend.