Global Programs Field-Based Courses
Faculty-led field-based courses provide opportunities for students to explore practical applications of classroom learning and research.
Every academic year, the Brown School offers up to three field-based courses taught partially abroad, which provide Brown School students and faculty the opportunity to learn, apply knowledge and collaborate with professionals in communities around the world.
The menu of courses changes each based on faculty proposals that must go through a selection process. Each course utilizes the Transdisciplinary Problem Solving format that is a key feature of the School’s curriculum, emphasizing the way insights and methods from various disciplines can contribute to addressing a contemporary challenge.
Students from all three programs are invited to apply to this competitive application process and are then matched to the program that best aligns with their academic interests and career goals. Travel costs for each of the programs are subsidized by the Brown School, to make these experiences as accessible as possible. Select students also have the opportunity to extend their stay and pursue an international practicum placement. The travel component takes place over breaks from the academic school year, such as Winter Break, Spring Break and Summer Break.
Courses for 2026
This course will travel to Brazil over spring break and introduce students to understanding LGBTQ human rights and policy issues from an international perspective, with a strong focus on intersectional experiences of race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality. South America is undergoing a major cultural shift in the areas of gender related issues and sexual identity, moving from a conservative, male heterosexual dominated culture to a more open, liberal, and gender equal society. Several South American countries, such as Brazil, have been the unexpected global leaders in the advancement of the personal and political rights of their LGBTQ and ally citizens. Through exposure to other cultures and intensive discussion on LGBTQ international experiences displayed throughout this course, students will improve their awareness and understanding of the political, economic, social, and cultural contexts through an LGBTQ developmental experience lens, using Brazil as a point of study.
This is a three phase course, beginning in the classroom in St Louis, before moving to Washington DC over spring break using the opportunities provided by the nation’s capital to explore transdisciplinary policy practice in government, think tanks, and advocacy groups. Students will learn from policy and advocacy experts, as well as from social science leaders in Congress. The nation’s policy environment is undergoing a major cultural shift in the areas of social justice and public health, moving from traditional, bureaucratic approaches to more dynamic, advocacy-driven practices that empower individuals, families, and communities. Students will therefore study the basics of government and the legislative process, research-based advocacy, and how social scientists affect social policy around the world. The third phase occurs back in St. Louis for a visit debrief, as well as processing of the student policy leadership projects.
Courses planned for 2027
This course will focus on housing and neighborhoods that foster learning, working, and community care, while promoting health and wellness across different sub-populations including young adults and old adults with socio-economic disadvantages. It will include classroom lectures, seminar discussions, and site visits to explore various innovative approaches to tackle social, economic, and environmental issues through housing and community development projects. By gaining insight into how housing organizations and community development projects are situated within the social and public policy system and beyond, students will develop a cross-cultural and comparative perspective in addressing persistent social and economic problems such as lack of affordable housings and consequent economic and health problems for historically marginalized sub- population in the local areas in the nation. They will also acquire the empirical tools needed to compare and contrast housing and neighborhood development policies and practices across Asia and beyond over the long term.
This is a three phase course, beginning in the classroom in St Louis, before moving to Washington DC over spring break using the opportunities provided by the nation’s capital to explore transdisciplinary policy practice in government, think tanks, and advocacy groups. Students will learn from policy and advocacy experts, as well as from social science leaders in Congress. The nation’s policy environment is undergoing a major cultural shift in the areas of social justice and public health, moving from traditional, bureaucratic approaches to more dynamic, advocacy-driven practices that empower individuals, families, and communities. Students will therefore study the basics of government and the legislative process, research-based advocacy, and how social scientists affect social policy around the world. The third phase occurs back in St. Louis for a visit debrief, as well as processing of the student policy leadership projects.
International Travel Policy
WashU is concerned with the health, safety, and security of all members of our community while traveling outside of the United States of America.
The WashU International Travel Policy has been adopted to ensure a consistent set of travel standards to be followed by all units of the university. The policy applies to all international travel that is sponsored, is funded in any part, or involves the granting of degree credits by WashU.