The President of the United States is a looming figure in American culture. This is particularly true in Washington, DC where a new president can shift the feel of the city, create new hotspots, and stir gentrification. On the world stage, the character of the President affects how Americans are viewed. We find that even our movies and pop culture change with each presidency. Over the years, we have interpreted the presidency in the context of heroic stories, fairytale romances, comedies, and dark tragedies. While you are out and about in Washington DC, you will question the mythos of the American President and explore:
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Are our favorite movies about the presidency accurate and have they changed over time?
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How have presidential campaigns changed over time? How are they different elsewhere?
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How does a leader tap into the feelings of the American public? Or do they influence and create feelings?
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Who do we decide is an important leader in history and who is forgotten?
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How have different administrations changed the face of Washington, DC?
Instructor
A graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman's College with a BA in American Culture, Rebecca Grawl has worked in public history and museum education for more than a decade. In addition to serving as Vice President of Education for A Tour of Her Own, Rebecca can be seen on Mysteries at the Museum on the Travel Channel. Her first book, 111 Places in Women's History in Washington, DC That You Must Not Miss, was co-authored with A Tour of Her Own founder Kaitlin Calogera and published in fall 2021.
More information
Our classes consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework, and final assignment, as well as your in-person classes. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.
To read specifics about class schedules and requirements about this course, click here.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.
Registration and Enrollment
This course meets in person. Add to cart and check out.
