The Capitol Mall, the Lincoln Memorial and the White House will substitute for the classroom Feb. 25-March 2 when 40 law, justice and society students observe and interact with the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government in Washington, D.C.
The trip is one element of the Introduction to American Law class taught by Dr. Charla Long.
By visiting the capital, students will be able to experience the legal processes they are learning about in textbooks.
The tour schedule is packed, but there will be free time to allow the students to discover the city for themselves.
A mandatory photo scavenger hunt is planned to guide students to the most important places in Washington, D.C. Students will also be required to keep a daily journal recounting what they learned that day to assist them with the final paper due after the trip.
Fresh off the plane, students will head to a moonlight walking tour of the mall. Here, they will see the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Smithsonian, and the Washington, World War II and Lincoln monuments.
“I am excited to see American history from my own perspective,” said sophomore Brooke Brennan, an LJS major from Old Hickory, Tenn.
Other plans for the group include a visit to the National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Holocaust Museum.
Seats have been confirmed for all students at U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments and they will also tour the White House.
Introduction to American Law students will also be given the opportunity to meet with their senators at Tennessee Tuesdays on the Hill.
“Getting the chance to meet the people who are shaping our future is what I am most looking forward to,” said sophomore Bekah Raymond, an LJS major from Nashville.
Three pre-trip meetings have been dedicated to site etiquette and learning how to use the D.C. Metro (the train system) map correctly as well as becoming familiar with the many important faces students may see while on the trip.
Students will receive a traveling briefing book at the beginning of the trip filled with the personal and political backgrounds of some of the most important people living and working in D.C.
Dr. Charla Long, Dr. Craig Bledsoe and Brent Culberson are chaperoning the trip.