Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
On-Campus Course Schedule for Summer 2026

DLS Directed Reading

DLS Directed Reading

DLS Directed Reading

DLS Directed Reading

DLS Thesis Writing

The Doctor of Liberal Studies thesis is expected to demonstrate a level of competence and academic rigor in the field of interdisciplinary studies comparable to, though distinct from, the equivalent level of competence and rigor expected in a Ph.D. thesis in a disciplinary field. Topics are limited to the liberal arts and social sciences and must be approved by the DLS Director. The Doctoral Thesis represents the creative synthesis of primary sources and secondary materials. Students must follow the Graduate Liberal Studies Guidelines for Thesis Writers provided each student upon successful completion of the Qualifying Examination for steps and procedures in the preparation and defense of the Thesis Proposal as well as the submission, defense, and approval of the DLS thesis. The Guidelines are also online, liberalstudies.georgetown.edu/DLS students/resources/thesis. Additionally, the student must follow the “rules” of manuscript preparation according to the methods provided in A Manual for Writers, 8th edition, Kate Turabian, in particular, the choice of one of the two suggested styles for citations.

Found of American Constitution

Note: This course is only open to students in the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation Summer Institute. This course meets from June 13 - July 10, 2026

Sci, Evol, & Impact on Society

Science, Evolution and Impacts on Society In this course, students will focus on the scientific method and analyze scientific research that assesses how evolutionary and environmental factors impact humans and other living organisms today. Students will also learn anatomy and genetics as it relates to the material.

Note: This course counts satisfies the MALS Foundational Social Science requirement.

The Idea of America

The United States has been described as a nation founded on an idea, making it unique from other countries. The “idea” is commonly traced to the Declaration of Independence, considered the defining statement of our national identity and the moral statement by which we live as a nation. With the approaching 250th anniversary in July 2026 setting the stage, the purpose of this course is to identify the ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence, their origin, their evolution, their expression in the Declaration, and their fate in the years following independence. Attention will be paid not only to the unfolding narrative of this critical period in our history, but also to the seminal documents and interpretations that contribute to our understanding of the ideas in the Declaration of Independence.

William James: An Introduction