BYU Harold B. Lee Library

The Washington Seminar was created in 1973 under the Department of Political Science and remained under the department's jurisdiction throughout its name changes to the Department of Government (1979-1982) and back to the Department of Political Science (1982- ). Directors of the program, also called managing directors or coordinators in the early years of the program, include Ray Hillam (1973-1981), Laurie Wilson (1981-1983), Scott Dunaway (1983-2007), Robert Goss (2007-2010), and Scott Dunaway (2010- ).

Description

Established: 1973

Location: Provo, Utah (1973-)

Functions

The Washington Seminar selects well-qualified students from all majors to have an applied learning experience in Washington, D.C. Through a quality internship, briefings on current national issues, tours, and excursions, interns gain a valuable supplement to their academic training and the chance to be better prepared for their careers. Students may participate during the Fall, Winter or Spring-Summer semester (about fourteen weeks each), or for seven weeks during either the Spring or Summer terms.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The Washington Seminar is part of the Department of Political Science. The director of the program reports directly to the dean of the College of Family, Home and Social Sciences. An advisory committee, chaired by the Political Science Department chair also exists to advise the director on matters of policy and curriculum. Numerous faculty advisers, earlier called field directors, also play an administrative role during the actual seminar in Washington D.C.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Political Science (1921-1979) (1973-1979)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Government (1979-1982)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Political Science (1982- )

Associated Archival Materials

John S. Tanner Washington Seminar correspondence, 1983, 1993 (UA 1233)

Thomas G. Alexander office Washington Seminar records, 1977-1981 (MSS 1970)

Sources

Email from Scott Dunaway, Sept. 14, 2011: (director reports to dean, advisory committee headed by chair of dept. for policy and curriculum)

Interview with Scott Dunaway, Sept. 13, 2011: (created 1973, under Dept. of Political Science, Ray Hillam (1973-1981), Laurie Wilson (1981-1983), Scott Dunaway (1983-2007, 2010- ), Robert Goss (2007-2010), faculty advisers and field directors)

Washington Seminar WWW home page, Sept. 13, 2011: (all majors, applied learning experience, quality internship, briefings, tours, interns gain valuable supplement, Fall/Winter, Spring/Summer fourteen or seven weeks)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2011-00152

LCCN: nr2001009066

Creator: UPB