Washington D.C. Capital Campus

Program Highlights

• Location: USC Capital Campus, Washington, D.C.
• Dates: May 18 to June 12, 2026 (four weeks)
• Eligibility: Open to USC Dornsife undergraduates
• Experiential components: Site visits to multilateral organizations, federal agencies, embassies, and research institutions

Courses Offered

Students enroll in one of the following courses, all taught in Washington, D.C.:

IR 325: Rich and Poor States in the World Economy (taught by Prof. Iva Bozovic)

IR 325 examines how the United States influences global economic development, analyzing the interplay between states and markets, international trade rules, global finance, and foreign aid. Designed for students aspiring to careers in global development—whether in consulting, multilateral institutions, nonprofits, think tanks, or public office—the course features guest speakers from key federal and international agencies, including the U.S. Trade Representative, USAID, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and the World Bank.

ENST 360: Public Policy for Sustainability (taught by Prof. Shannon Gibson)

ENST 360 provides an interdisciplinary foundation in environmental policymaking at local, national, and global levels, emphasizing the communication skills essential for effective policy advocacy. Through case studies, discussions, and hands-on exercises, students analyze how science, economics, and politics intersect to shape environmental decisions while developing expertise in policy analysis, evaluation, and communication across print, visual, and verbal media—preparing them for careers in environmental governance, advocacy, and sustainability.

ECON 379: Economic Policy Analysis (taught by Prof. Jaime Meza-Cordero)

ECON 379 examines how economic policy is formulated, implemented, and evaluated, covering topics such as public finance, budgeting, program design, monitoring, and cost–benefit analysis. Aimed at students pursuing careers in government, central banking, public administration, regulation, international organizations, or the nonprofit sector, the course includes guest speakers from federal agencies and institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and Inter-American Development Bank, along with opportunities to experience policymaking in action in Washington, D.C.

ECON 395: Economic Policy Issues (taught by Prof. Brijesh Pinto)

ECON 395 is a seminar-style workshop that prepares students for careers as professional economists in global policy institutions. It emphasizes the practical reasoning and evidence-based approach typical of institutions such as the World Bank, the IMF, and major central banks. Focusing on monetary, fiscal, exchange-rate, pricing, taxation, and regulatory policies, as well as foreign economic policy measures such as sanctions, the course uses international case studies, from Argentina’s monetary reforms and Nigeria’s currency float to Rwanda’s health care system, Lebanon’s exchange-rate crisis, and Brazil’s anti-inflation URV, to examine the legal frameworks, design, and economic impacts of real-world macroeconomic and microeconomic policies in depth.

Living and Learning in D.C.

Students can choose to live in USC-arranged housing. The program features group excursions and opportunities to engage with policymakers and researchers shaping today’s policy agenda. These program features are included in the Maymester course and will be offered at no additional cost to students.

Information

For more information, including details on registration, D-Clearances, and costs, please contact Prof. Brijesh Pinto.