USC in D.C. Summer Dialogue Institute
Take part in a rigorous, immersive program, anchored in our nation’s capital, that prepares students to be open-minded, humble, thinking citizens equipped to understand how we can talk with – rather than past – each other in our polarized society.
Program Overview
The USC in D.C. Summer Dialogue Institute is an immersive, four-week summer program that explores and models productive civil discourse and disagreement. Through guest speakers, field trips, site visits and engaging conversations in small, discussion-based lectures, students will cultivate the habit of civil discourse, understand the history of disagreements in democracies throughout time, and brainstorm strategies to help our society grow beyond polarization.
At a time when public discourse is more fragmented than ever, the USC in D.C. Summer Dialogue Institute prepares students to become our nation’s future leaders by equipping them with the skills, understanding, and tools to be respectful and responsible citizens.
Program Highlights
- Learn about history, government, communication, leadership, and policy where it’s made, blocks from the White House, the Capitol, Supreme Court, monuments, and museums – and hear from the practitioners who shape it every day.
- Benefit from USC’s unique constellation of schools, experts, and connections, bringing coast-to-coast education to the nation’s capital.
- Earn 4 USC units that can count towards degree requirements.
- Receive a certificate of completion and come away with a policy paper or project, and one-of-a-kind experiences, to add to your resume.
Course Offerings
The USC in D.C. Summer Dialogue Institute courses cover history, government, communication, leadership and are designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the key concepts, principles, and practices that underpin civil discourse and cross-partisan dialogue. The program invites students to explore how Americans have argued, persuaded, and reconciled differences from the nation’s founding to the digital age, and participate in a practical component that allows them to develop practical policy solutions to the problem of division on key issues.
Students enroll in two 2-unit courses, totaling 4 USC units, taught in a Monday-Thursday seminar format. Together, the courses prepare students to be responsible U.S. and global citizens both at home and in their future careers.
Talking to Each Other: Histories of Dialogue, Disagreement & Democracy
From duels at dawn to Twitter flame wars, Americans have long grappled with how to disagree. This course explores the shifting terrain of political dialogue, polarization, and democratic engagement in U.S. history—from the impassioned debates of the Founding Era to the age of social media echo chambers—and encourages students to think about how their own approaches to disagreements might be informed by this history and culture. Along the way, we’ll examine the roles of gossip, humor, stump speeches, protest movements, and political violence in shaping how Americans have expressed dissent, forged consensus, and navigated ideological divides. Topics include the birth of political parties, the culture of honor and dueling, the discourse of secession and Civil War, strategies of Civil Rights-era dialogue and disruption, the rise of wedge issues, the rhetorical evolution of partisanship, and the digital transformation of civic discourse. Students will engage a wide array of primary sources, learn from distinguished guest speakers, and participate in structured debates and field trips, drawing historical lessons for contemporary democratic challenges.
Bridging the Divide: Leading Public Discourse in a Polarized Society
In an era defined by polarization and competing narratives, this course explores how leadership and communication can rebuild trust, empathy, and democratic dialogue. The course examines how power, culture, and media shape the ways people engage with one another across ideological and identity divides. Through the organizing principles of Discovery, Communication, and Action, students will explore the challenges of leading public discourse in complex social contexts—whether in community organizations, digital spaces, or policy arenas. Students will study how public narratives form and fracture, learn tools for dialogue and conflict transformation, and develop leadership strategies that promote ethical, inclusive, and solutions-oriented communication. The course culminates in a capstone project that demonstrates how public discourse can become a bridge to understanding and collective problem-solving rather than a source of division.
Application & Program Costs
Program Application Requirements
To apply for the program, students must be enrolled in good standing in a 4-year college or university, have completed at least two semesters (at least 24 units/credits) or earned a Bachelor’s degree in the last two years and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
International students studying at U.S. universities are welcome to apply. USC does not provide visa support for non-USC students enrolled in the summer program.
Program Dates and Deadlines
- Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
- Application Decisions: April 1, 2026
- Housing Deadline: April 15, 2026
- Scholarship Deadline: April 15, 2026
- Deposit Deadline: May 1, 2026
- Program Begins: June 15, 2026
- Program Ends: July 10, 2026
Scholarship for USC Degree-Seeking Students
The Epstein Family Student Experience Scholarship provides the opportunity for USC students to pursue immersive experiences in Washington, D.C., both throughout the regular academic year and over the summer. The fund provides support for travel, lodging, tuition, housing, living expenses, or other eligible expenses related to your study in D.C. to students with demonstrated financial need whose curricular and co-curricular interests align with the following priorities:
- Supporting the lives of Veterans through policy and research
- Protecting democracy
- Combating antisemitism
Costs
Costs for the USC in D.C. Summer Dialogue Institute will be available soon.
Personal Expenses
Students should also budget for personal expenses that vary based on individual preferences and habits. Students are responsible for costs, including: meals, local transportation (including Metro fares and rideshares),personal items and activities, such as toiletries, laundry, entertainment, and souvenirs. These expenses are not included in the program fees and will depend on your lifestyle and spending choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
International students studying at U.S. universities are welcome to apply. USC does not provide visa support for non-USC students enrolled in the summer program.
USC degree-seeking students are eligible for the Epstein Family Foundation scholarship.
Program costs will be available soon.
Yes. To apply, students should be in good standing at a four-year college or university and have completed at least two semesters (or 24 units/credits), or have earned your bachelor’s degree within the past two years. A 3.0 GPA is recommended, but we also look at your overall experience, interests, and fit for the program. The program attracts motivated students who meet our eligibility requirements. We review applications wholistically.
Students may choose to reside in USC-sponsored housing. Alternatively, students may live at home or independently in Washington, D.C.
Students live in fully furnished, move-in-ready apartments at 450 Massachusetts Ave NW:
Location: Approximately 1.5 miles away from the USC Capital Campus. Students may choose to walk (it takes about 30 minutes) and pass notable sites such as the White House, National Portrait Gallery, Martin Luther King Junior Library, National Building Museum, Franklin Square, Embassy of Australia, Chinatown Archway, National Public Radio (NPR) Headquarters, and many other attractions. Alternatively, students can take a two-stop trip on the Red Metro Line.
Four students per two-bedroom apartment
Two bathrooms per apartment
Provided: Kitchen supplies, linens, towels
Amenities: 24-hour concierge, controlled access, Wi-Fi, gym
Contact Us
We’re open Monday – Friday from 9 AM – 5 PM ET. We follow USC’s holiday calendar.
Email: capitalcampus@usc.edu
Phone: 213-740-0864