Purdue University North Central students and community members have the unique opportunity to travel to Washington D.C., from March 10 to 15, as part of a course that will explore this great American city and focus on the broader concept of citizenship.
Students may take this as a for-credit course and non-students may participate for personal enrichment. Students from other colleges and universities also may participate.
The course, "Washington DC: The History, Politics and Culture that Shaped Our Nation" gives students a first-hand understanding of the nation's capital.
"Students are able to go many places that few visitors are able to see because of contacts that PNC has established in Washington," said Dr. Karen Schmid, PNC Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who is a course instructor with Laura Weaver, PNC Service Learning Coordinator.
There will be a tour of the Library of Congress, with each participant receiving a reading card allowing them to use the Library of Congress' vast collection to conduct research for the course. Participants will also have time to explore many of the Smithsonian Institution's museums, with a private behind the scenes tour by curators at the National Museum of American History and a curated lunch at the National Museum of the American Indian.
Other activities will include tours of the United States Capitol Building, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, a group dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill, a popular Washington D.C restaurant across the street from the White House, and more. In addition, students will have the unique experience of meeting with an ambassador serving in Washington D.C.
There will be three pre-trip classes at PNC in January and February and one post-trip meeting in April.
Students enrolled for credit will participate in course assignments, various readings and complete a research project on a topic of their choice related to citizenship. Participants not taking the course for credit are invited to all pre- and post-trip sessions and may participate in course activities and discussions as they see fit. They are not required to complete any of the assignments.
The deadline to register and pay for the program and administrative fees is Jan. 18, 2013. For-credit students will be required to pay tuition plus a course fee of $695. Non-Credit students will pay the $695 program fee plus a $225 administrative fee. The course fee includes five nights in a Washington D.C. suite-style hotel with full kitchen in the Georgetown area; admission to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Museum and Gardens; a metro card used for travel while in Washington D.C.; two group meals, and other related course activities.
Two scholarships of $300 are available for students enrolled in the course for credit. One scholarship is designated for veterans and one is open to all students. Applications are available in the Center for Service Learning & Leadership in Library-Student-Faculty Building Room 029, or by contacting Weaver at laweaver@pnc.edu.
All participants are responsible for their travel to and from Washington D.C. and may travel via plane, car, bus or train. Participants may arrange to travel to Washington ahead of the class or stay longer and this would be at their own expense.
PNC students register for this class through Banner for IDIS 491. Payments of the program and administrative fees are to be made to the PNC Office of Graduate and Extended Learning in the Library-Student-Faculty Building, Room 028.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the PNC Office of Graduate and Extended Learning, ext. 5343, or by visiting www.pnc.edu/gel ; or by contacting Schmid at 219.785.5200 ext. 5500 or kschmid@pnc.edu or Weaver at 219.785.5200 ext. 5742 or laweaver@pnc.edu.