DC events

  • Due No Due Date
  • Points 0
  • Submitting a file upload

You can get extra credit for attending an event in DC and writing about it. Up to 5 points for a first event, and up to 3 points for a second one. Getting engaged in events in the area is, in any case, a great way to learn some really interesting things and to get to know more about the various institutes and agencies in DC. And note that some of these events have free food. To complete the extra credit assignment, follow these steps:

  1. Choose an event to attend. At the bottom of this page is a list of organizations in Washington DC that run public events. Typically these events feature one or more speakers discussing the background of some sort of current events issue. Go to the organization's web page (which I have linked below) and look through the calendars to find an event on a topic that interests you and that you can attend. Note that most of these organizations do not plan much more than a month or so in advance, so you may want to check back more than once during the semester to see what events have been added. Anything run by any of the organizations I have listed below will count. If you find a different event that interests you from an organization I do not have listed, email me in advance to get approval for it. 

  2. Make a reservation and then show up on time. Note that most events are free and open to the public, but require an advance reservation. When attending an event, please be considerate of other attendees. Please consider dressing up a little bit - business casual is usually appropriate. All of the organizations I have listed are metro-accessible. 

  3. Discreetly take a picture of yourself there (or your group if you are going with others). 

  4. Write a one-paragraph summary of the event and upload it along with the picture. Include a description of the speaker and what he or she said, as well as anything you learned that you found interesting.

Although you are free to do this however you want, I advise you to consider going with a group.

Here are some organizations that run regular events, with links to their event listings.  

The first six here are totally non-partisan, and are premier organizations for thoughtful discussions of international affairs. 

These are honest, centrist organizations that do real research but are sometimes (wrongly) perceived as having a left-wing bias

Here is an honest organization that does real research but is sometimes (wrongly) perceived as having a right-wing bias

Beyond those, here are some groups that are mostly honest but have more overt partisan orientations

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