Northern Illinois University
Department of Political Science
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Students and faculty will travel to the nation's capital for an intensive five-day, four-night, hands-on seminar in government and politics. We will tour and meet officials at the White House, Congress, and Supreme Court, as well as network with DC-area alumni. The travel portion will take place during spring break. Funding from the James and Martha Lamb American Government Experience Fund is being provided to help offset the costs of this program.

Program Application and Fee

• Interested students may apply by Nov. 5 to the Political Science Department Office for consideration for the DC trip using the application form.
• If selected, students must complete the registration and health information form and make a non-refundable deposit for half the cost of the trip by mid-November, with the balance due by mid-December.
• The fee for the trip is $650 (excluding tuition and fees if you choose to enroll in the POLS 497 Small-Group Study for one credit applied toward the major).
  • Fee includes lodging accommodations, two dinners, two lunches, a Washington, D.C., alumni reception, speaker honorariums, and a pre-paid Metro Card for transportation in Washington, D.C.
  • You are responsible for your transportation to and from Washington, D.C.
  • In the event the department does not reach the mandatory number of students signing up, the DC trip may be canceled, and all payments will be refunded to students.
• In order to receive a one-credit-hour grade, you must ask the department secretary to enroll you in POLS 497 and submit a complete application packet and full payment to the Department of Political Science by mid-December.
  • Students may also take part in the DC trip for no credit and should not enroll in POLS 497 but will submit a complete application packet and deposit to the Department of Political Science.

Registration Packet

• Registration and Health Information Form
• Assumption of Risk

The registration and health information survey should be completed by Nov. 17, 2025.

Important Dates

• Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 - Registration form and deposit for half ($325) of the cost of the trip due
• Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 - Remaining balance due ($325)
• TBD February - Mandatory orientation meeting (Zulauf Hall 1015)
• Spring break - March 8-12, 2026: Arrival and departure from Washington, D.C.

Course Requirements

You are expected to attend a mandatory orientation meeting held in February and all program events in Washington, D.C. For those enrolling in the one-credit class, a course syllabus will be provided that outlines the elements of the required journal of your experiences during the trip. The course grade will be based on the journal as well as attendance and participation at the mandatory meeting and the events in Washington, D.C.

Accommodations

You will share rooms (two students per room) with two double/queen beds at a hotel located in the heart of Washington, D.C. The hotel is close to Metro stops, restaurants, and attractions.

Tentative Events (others may be added)

• Nighttime walking tour of monuments
• Touring the U.S. Supreme Court
• Lecture in the Supreme Court chamber
• Meet with staff and local members of the U.S. House
• Tour of the U.S. Capitol
• Tour of the Pentagon
• Meet with foreign service specialists at the Department of State
• Lunch at the U.S. Supreme Court building and/or U.S. Capitol building
• Reception with Washington, D.C., friends and alumni
• Tour of East Wing of the White House
• Tour Bureau of Engraving and Printing
• Tour the Library of Congress
• Tour the National Portrait Gallery
• Arlington Cemetery
• Free afternoon to see the sights of your choice