Political Communication Program

Program Description

The Political Communication, Advocacy, and Leadership Institute is a two-week intensive program aimed at high school students who wish to understand the crucial role of communication in politics, advocacy, and leadership in a democratic society. The Institute is centered upon a number of important issues, including public service, social advocacy, civic engagement, crisis management, public policy, global politics, and communicating with the media.

The Institute rests upon the belief that young people, armed with an understanding of and practice in the art of communication, can be active agents within their respective communities. Further, junior citizens can, and should, serve as articulate ambassadors and advocates for various stakeholders, including those whose voices have been marginalized or devalued.

Learning Outcomes

• To engage as citizen-leaders in a complex and unpredictable political environment
• To prepare for a variety of leadership opportunities in government, business/industry, and nonprofit areas
• To understand numerous global political philosophies, issues, and processes
• To embolden themselves as effective communicators by focusing on and cultivating their public speaking, argumentation, and persuasive writing skills

Program Schedule

The Political Communication Institute will begin July 8 and end July 21, 2012 (July 8 is move-in day and orientation).

The Institute runs 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, with a number of events designed to tap both the creative and critical mind. Each day will begin with a vigorous morning exercise designed to “wake up the senses” and “get the creativity flowing.” Throughout the program, participants will divide their time among a number of different activities, including workshops, study seminars, Dinners with Invited Guest Speakers (DIGS), leadership forums, small-group field trips, social advocacy/civic engagement activities, and Junior Citizens Day, among others.

The program will culminate with a presentation of a Social Advocacy Message Campaign that students will prepare to take back to their respective communities. Each campaign will address a socially significant issue that is being discussed in a student’s hometown. The goal is for each student to be competent in developing and delivering these messages to various stakeholders and leaders in their communities.

Tentative Summer 2012 Topics

• Understanding the Political System: From Boston to Beijing
• Political Campaigning and Campaigning Politically
• Writing the Political “Stump” Speech: Words Do Make a Difference
• Leadership and Politics: Making a Difference in Your Community
• Junior Political Citizens Day
• Presentations of Final Projects to Distinguished Panel of Experts and Governmental Leaders

Who Should Apply

The Political Communication, Advocacy, and Leadership Institute is open to students entering grades 10, 11, and 12 during the 2012–2013 academic year. It is developed for students who want an intensive training experience in leadership, government, social advocacy, and effective communication skills, and have the ability to manage their time to complete assignments both in and out of the classroom. Students who have the desire and maturity to give and receive constructive feedback about their own and other’s work are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

In addition to submitting a Political Communication Institute Application, students will need to provide the following with their application:

1. A one-page Student Statement of Purpose describing what you hope to achieve during this summer program.
2. A 200-300 word essay that responds to the following question:
   What do you wish to change about politics and government?
   Responses should include a brief explanation of your skills and knowledge.
3. A completed Teacher Recommendation Form. Your teacher may submit the completed, signed recommendation form directly to the Department of Professional Studies at Emerson College.
4. A résumé

The application deadline is June 14, 2012.

General Academic Policies

Emerson College Political Communication students are expected to attend all lectures, participate fully in all labs, and complete all in-class and out-of-class assignments as outlined by their instructors. All students who actively participate and finish assignments and final projects will earn a Political Communication Certificate of Completion from the College.

The Residence Hall

Emerson College Political Communication Institute for High School Students offers on-campus housing in a supervised, air-conditioned, and secured residence hall. Students are housed in four- and six-person suites. Each suite includes two or three double rooms with a shared bathroom. Each resident is provided with a bed frame, mattress, desk, desk chair, wardrobe unit, dresser, and individual Internet port. Every room is equipped with a cable jack.

Housing assignments are based on gender, age, and similar interests.

Supervision

Students will be supervised by professional staff and student staff members who live on campus, explain College policy, refer residents to College services and offices, respond to emergency situations, and act as a general source of support for student residents.

Program Costs

The Emerson College Political Communication Institute for High School Students is designed as a residential program. The cost of the program is $2,695 per student and includes room and board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

About Boston

Read about Boston’s rich political history, prestigious institutions of higher education, and research centers. Learn about the City of Boston.

EMERSON COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY PROVISION OF THIS PROGRAM AT ANY TIME. THE COLLEGE SPECIFICALLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ITS TUITION RATES AND ANY OTHER FINANCIAL CHARGES. THE COLLEGE ALSO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REARRANGE ITS COURSES AND CLASS HOURS, TO DROP COURSES FOR WHICH REGISTRATION FALLS BELOW THE MINIMUM ENROLLMENT, AND TO CHANGE INSTRUCTOR ASSIGNMENTS.