The sociology department will offer a short-course seminar in Washington D.C. in January 2019.
Every two years, the sociology department takes fifteen-twenty students to Washington D.C. to attend a two-week seminar program.
Students listened to renowned speakers, visit key political sites and, later, discuss their experiences. This year, Political Sociology will be held January 6-19.
Students who attend the short course can receive credit as part of the degree plan for sociology majors or minors, an elective or as part of a degree plan for leadership minors.
The course fee is about $3,250, covering round-trip flights from DFW, lodging for 14 nights, meals, ground transportation via Metro and the Washington Center fee. Because this is listed as a course fee, financial aid can cover the cost and the tuition cost is included in a student’s block tuition.
Attending students will stay in the Washington Center apartment complex, which is approximately six blocks from the Capitol.
“It is great to be in D.C. and see how decisions are made and how it all works,” said Dr. Daniel Morrison, associate professor of sociology. “In times of transition, those things are more easily revealed. It’s going to be an exciting time. January is a great time to be there.”
The seminar will include lectures in the mornings given by noteworthy speakers in Washington Center, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and have dialogue with the speakers.
Past speakers have included: Secretary Ben Carson, C-SPAN’s Steve Scully, Vox senior reporter Dara Lind, retired federal judge Paul Schmidt, Chicago Tribune journalist Clarence Page and more.
Each afternoon, students will have the opportunity to visit the places discussed during the morning lectures, including NPR headquarters, Think Tank, embassies, Congress, the Capitol, the Treasury and more.
Dr. Morrison said these tours are important because they give students the opportunity to discuss the significance of these sites in the context of sociological research.
“There are low barriers of entry, but high impact from the experience,” said Dr. Morrison.
