Study Government and Politics in Washington, D.C. during Spring Break Week
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. 30 to the Political Science Department Office for consideration for the DC trip using the following application form.
• If selected, students must complete the registration packet (see the Registration Packet link provided in the box to the right) and make a non-refundable deposit for half the cost of the trip by mid-December, with the balance due by the end of January.
• 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).
o 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.
o You are responsible for your transportation to and from Washington, D.C.
o 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 (1) credit hour grade, you must ask the department secretary to enroll you in POLS 497 and submit a complete application packet and deposit to the Department of Political Science by mid-December.
o 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.
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
- Lunch at the U.S. Supreme Court building and/or U.S. Capitol building
- Reception with Washington, D.C., friends and alumni
- Meet with lobbying/consulting firm for Q/A with lobbyists
- 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
Registration Packet
Registration packet to be turned in to Zulauf Hall 415 by mid-December.
Important Dates
- Mid-December - Registration packet and deposit for half ($325) of the cost of the trip due
- End of January - Remaining balance due ($325)
- TBD February - Mandatory orientation meeting (Zulauf Hall 1015)
- Spring Break - March 9-13, 2025: Arrival and departure from Washington, D.C.
Contact Us
Department of Political Science
Zulauf Hall 415
815-753-1011
815-753-6302 (fax)
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
8 a.m. - noon
1 - 4:30 p.m.
