My Country Tis of Me?

Politics, History and Language in Washington, D.C.

January 6-9, 2002

On this four day trip in Washington we will look at a number of important questions about our government, and the story of the United States. Sure, sure, the last time you were in D.C. was when you were in 8th grade and you were dragged from end to end. This time we're going to do some exploring with some questions in mind about how one gets a voice in a democracy and the ways in which those voices are heard.

Basing ourselves at the Washington D.C. youth hostel we'll visit with the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, (no doubt we will have run-ins with authority figures since we seem to excel at that when at historical sites). We'll also spend a day at the Holocaust Museum talking about the ways in which people in power have attempted to erase other voices. We'll also spend some time at the Smithsonian Museum of American Culture which will once again bring us back to the questions around the ways in which people are portrayed in museums. We'll also visit some of the memorials along the mall, most especially the Vietnam Wall to talk about national memory.

There will be time to wander in Georgetown and explore the downtown areas of D.C. It should be a full few days which can fuel you with ideas before you head back to school for Spring Semester.

Since this trip will require some serious logistic work, please let me know as soon as possible if you plan to attend. Anyone offering up a place to stay in Washington would really help us out!

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