Washington Semester @ American University

Find out what it takes to be a member of the most elite and sometimes most despised groups around during this interactive, experiential semester. You examine virtually every aspect of journalism, from print and broadcast media to feature writing and media relations. You learn how to discover and develop the stories that make headlines, change lives, and destroy careers by discussing journalism with some of the most noted print and broadcast professionals in the industry. Our journalism students come here because they know that Washington, D.C., is where it all comes together-politics, big business, hard news, history.

As anyone could well imagine in an election year, the Journalism Semester students have had their hands full with all sorts of exciting seminars and guest speakers.

Here are just a sample highlights of what the Spring 2008 students did in DC:

Campaign Reporting Day - The Journalism students hit the road to the White House by attending and reporting on a campaign event of their choice. The students were assigned to take at least one picture of themselves at a campaign event and write a brief summary of their take on politics inside the Beltway. The photos and essays of 20 students ran in American University's online magazine, the American Observer. Some of the chosen events featured Sen. Obama, Sen. Clinton, former President Bill Clinton, Sen. McCain and Gov Mike Huckabee.

CSPAN Close Up at the Newseum – Students got a sneak peak at the new Newseum by participating in the first two inaugural tapings of the CSPAN program "Close Up at the Newseum." The first week students were live in studio for the tapings and interacted on-air with Helen talking about presidential legacy. The second week they interacted on-air with two guests talking about flag burning and the First Amendment. Students were very excited to be a part of the studio audience and get to ask questions on-air.

Lunch Meeting at the National Press Club – The students attended a lunch seminar with reporter, author and former National Press Club President Gil Klein. Mr. Klein shared tips for reporting on politics. He also addressed the use of on the record, off the record and background sources -- a practice very common for Washington reporters. The lunch took place in the members-only section of the Press Club. Students also went on a personal tour of the club's private and public and spaces.

Bob Schieffer Seminar – Journalism students were thrilled to meet legendary CBS newsman Bob Schieffer. He shared stories of his nearly 40-year career with CBS, offered tips for landing a job and stayed long after his talk to take pictures and sign books.

Press Secretary Seminar – The class met with Tara Hendershott, Press Secretary for Utah Sen. Bob Bennett to learn more about the politics of dealing with the press. Ms. Hendershott provided tips for handling reporters on deadline, how to answer questions when you don't want to or can't provide details on a sensitive political issue as well as Capitol Hill job hunting tips. Ms. Hendershott is now serving in her second press secretary role after graduating from college just three years ago. Students were very interested in her career path and asked lots of question