Freshman Seminar Away in Washington D.C.
July 12 – 19, 2008

Perspectives on Public Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Study diplomacy with people who make it happen!
Are you interested in international relations? Do you want to make a difference in the world? Would you like the opportunity to learn from some of our nation’s top diplomatic leaders?

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Washington D.C. freshman seminar away program provides new freshmen students with a unique opportunity to learn about public diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy issues first hand while earning two elective credits toward their degree with distinguished faculty member, Dr. Charles Gliozzo. Students will gain an understanding of how public diplomacy initiatives are implemented, their role in foreign policy, and their impact on foreign relations.

Here are just some of the things you’ll do:

  • Interact with U.S. diplomats
    Listen and talk to former Ambassadors and Foreign Service officers who are specialists on China, Africa, and the Middle East. Many of these individuals are still active on special assignments for the State Department giving seminar students and up-to-date look at foreign affairs.
  • Learn about your role as a citizen diplomat
    Understand the role of public diplomacy/citizen diplomacy presented by the President of the National Council of International Visitors in cooperation with the State Department involving a visit to a major agency charged with implementing public diplomacy initiatives.
  • Get a legislative briefing on foreign affairs
    Learn about the legislative role in foreign policy from a major staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
  • Discuss real issues in the classroom
    Think like a diplomat. Dr. Gliozzo will guide student’s exploration of public diplomacy and foreign policy by challenging you to discuss your learning in seminar debriefings. Readings and academic assignments are designed to enhance students understanding and awareness of the contexts and power of diplomacy.
  • Experience Washington D.C.
    Tour the State Department, the Holocaust Museum, the International Spy Museum. Students will have a Tourmobile orientation of Washington, chances to explore the Smithsonian in the National Mall, a night at a Washington Nationals’ baseball game, and a special cultural event. We are currently working on a possible visit to a foreign Embassy.

 

PROGRAM FACULTY
Your professor is Dr. Charles Gliozzo who serves as Professor and Assistant to the Dean, International Studies and Programs as well as Professor Emeritus, Department of History and Director Emeritus, Office of Study Abroad. Dr. Gliozzo has been at MSU since 1968 and the recipient of two Fulbright awards (France and Germany) as well as receiving national leadership awards from NAFSA: Association for International Educators, International Studies & Programs, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Beta Delta, (Honorary Society for International Educators) for teaching, publications, and development. Dr. Gliozzo has received over 14 grants in international education, French Revolution, African-American history as well as the author or editor of over three monographs and over twenty-five articles in these fields. He held national and regional officer positions in NAFSA, Council for International Education and Exchange (CIEE), Committee of Institutional Cooperation (CIC) and Phi Beta Delta. He has also served as a grants reviewer for the Department of Education, National Endowment of the Humanities, Department of Defense, and NAFSA. He was an evaluator of five universities/college programs relating to international education and has served on the University Committee on Faculty Affairs, University Diversity Committee, among others.

Dr. Gliozzo enjoys working with students and has a passion for international education. You are welcome to contact Dr. Gliozzo at gliozzo@msu.edu or (517) 353-5589.

Your program coordinator is Dr. Linda Gross, Director of Freshman Seminar Initiatives for the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education. Dr. Gross has extensive experience with student travel and summer programs. She will be living on site with students at the Hotel Harrington, coordinating logistics, and providing additional student support.

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
Students in this program must exhibit a high level of personal responsibility and appropriate behavior. We will be meeting with high-level dignitaries and entering secure areas requiring appropriate credentials. Participants in the program will be expected to carry government issued identification with them at all times and will be required to submit to federal building security checks. Based on the short, intensive nature of the program, students are expected to keep their focus on academic and programmatic participation during their residential portion of the seminar in Washington, D.C.

WHERE YOU WILL STAY AND LEARN
You’ll be staying at the Hotel Harrington, a popular international tourist/family hotel at the corner of 11th and E streets NE. Each modest non-smoking suite will have two adjoining rooms equipped with four twin beds, two full bathrooms, television, a refrigerator, wireless internet service, and a desk and chair. Breakfast is included at the Café Harriet. The Hotel Harrington is in an excellent location with affordable restaurants, shopping and services within 1-2 blocks. It is within safe, easy walking distance to the National Mall and is situated between the Federal Triangle and Smithsonian Metro stations.

Our primary classroom will be Michigan State University’s Washington D.C. office conference room with windows overlooking the Capitol. Our D.C. office is located just south of the U.S. Capitol in the Fairchild Building. Our studies will take us to a variety of places around the Washington D.C. area including the DACOR-Bacon House, the National Archives, the Department of State, and other field experience sites. All students will have a 7-day Metro pass for transportation around the D.C. metropolitan area.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND FEE
The Freshman Seminar Away in Washington, D.C. is an exciting way for first-year freshmen to begin their academic career. The seminar is open to all first-year freshmen entering Michigan State University. Only first-year college students are eligible.

Applications will be accepted until the program is filled. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Once admitted to Michigan State University, you may submit your application to the MSU Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education in person, by fax, or by mail. A complete application requires your signature and a parent /guardian’s signature if you are under age 18 at the time of application. Upon receipt of your completed application, a $100 application fee will be billed to your MSU account. This application fee will be applied to your overall program fee if you are admitted to the seminar. If you are not granted admission into the seminar, the $100 application fee will be removed from your bill.

If admitted into the seminar, you will receive an official acceptance packet in the mail. To confirm your admission into the seminar, you must sign and return specific forms included in the acceptance packet to the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education within two weeks of the date of your acceptance letter or you may lose your space in the seminar. The $100 application fee is non-refundable once you confirm attendance into the seminar and the remainder of the program fee, $690, will be billed to your MSU account.

Admission into this seminar requires that you maintain your status as an MSU freshman and be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Withdrawal from the seminar may result in financial penalties, as explained in the Withdrawal section below. (NOTE: Your participation may be denied or your participation approval may be revoked if your conduct before departure raises doubts as to your suitability for seminar participation.)

ACADEMIC CREDIT, TUITION, & PROGRAM FEE
If accepted to the program you will be registered for UGS 103, section 701 and charged for two credits of tuition as part of your fall tuition bill. In addition to your tuition, you will also be charged a program fee of $790, which includes:

  • application fee ($100)
  • lodging while in Washington D.C.
  • Breakfasts and some additional meals
  • books and academic resources
  • a seven day Metro pass for ground transportation
  • excursions and field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

  • Transportation to and from Washington, D.C.
  • additional meals
  • personal spending money

Both tuition and program fees will be billed to your MSU student account.

WITHDRAWAL
If you withdraw from the program after confirming your acceptance, you will be financially responsible for your $100 application fee. To withdraw, you must notify the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education in writing by letter, fax, or email no later than June 11, 2008. The Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education will not accept verbal cancellations by phone. If you withdraw from the seminar after the June 11, 2008 deadline, you will remain financially responsible for the entire program fee of $790.

APPLICATION FORM

Washington D.C. Freshman Seminar Away Application

Complete the application and return this it to the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education 312 Administration Building, East Lansing, MI 48824 or fax it to (517) 432-2069.

Contact for more information

Sandra Walther
swalther@msu.edu
(517) 353-5380
Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education
312 Administration Building
East Lansing, MI 48824