PNC Washington D.C. Learning Opportunity

Purdue University North Central students and community members have the unique opportunity to travel to Washington D.C., from March 4 to 9, 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.

Activities will include a private meeting with the Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter and a private tour of Capital Hill will be provided by Sen. Richard Lugar's Office.

"Meeting with the Under Secretary of Education at her office will provide students with the opportunity to talk personally with this high government official and to learn about the state of education in the U.S.," Schmid noted.

Other planned learning activities include an observation of Congress; lunch at the Senate Dining Room; tours of the Pentagon, the National Archives, Arlington Cemetery and Mount Vernon. 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, and enjoy a group dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill, a popular Washington D.C restaurant.

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.

For credit students will be required to pay tuition of $628 plus a course fee of $650. Non-Credit students will pay the $650 program fee plus a $150 administrative fee. The course fee includes five nights in a Washington D.C. suite-style hotel with full kitchen; a metro card used for travel while in Washington D.C.; two group meals and continental breakfast at the hotel each day. Also covered is admission to President George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate.

Two scholarships of $325 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 Office of Continuing Education, Library-Student-Faculty Building Room 104 or online at www.pnc.edu/csll.

All participants are responsible for their travel to and from Washington D.C. and may travel via plane, car, bus or train and 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.

Further information may be obtained by contacting through the PNC Office of Continuing Education, 219.785.5200, ext. 5343, or by visiting www.pnc.edu/ce; or by contacting Schmid at 219.785.5200 ext. 5500 or kscmid@pnc.edu or Weaver at 219.785.5200 ext. 5742 or laweaver@pnc.edu.