American Cities (In Person)   

United States Presidents: Political to Pop Culture

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:

• Are our favorite movies about the presidency accurate and have they changed over time?

• How have presidential campaigns changed over time? How are they different elsewhere?

• How does a leader tap into the feelings of the American public? Or do they influence and create feelings?

• Who do we decide is an important leader in history and who is forgotten?

• 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.

Get ready to be transported to a time of creativity and cultural explosion! The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that celebrated Black life and challenged societal norms. And guess what? Washington D.C. played a crucial role in this movement. D.C. was a hub for Black artists, writers, and musicians who brought their unique voices to the table. From Langston Hughes, who became one of the most famous American poets, to Duke Ellington, a legendary jazz musician who revolutionized the genre, D.C. produced some of the most prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance. But it wasn't just about the individuals - it was about the vibrant community they created. Through their work, they helped shape a movement that celebrated the beauty of Black life and fought against discrimination. And their legacy continues to inspire and influence us today. So let's celebrate the wonders of the Harlem Renaissance and the vital role that Washington D.C. played in it. It's a journey you won't want to miss!

• See the U Street corridor, a neighborhood where black businesses thrived, Langston Hughes and Jean Toomer were upcoming writers and poets, and Howard University professors were guiding a movement that changed history.
• Visit the world-famous National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Explore what makes a cultural revolution and why they are important.
• Learn how culture today has been shaped by the Harlem Renaissance.

Instructor
After getting her Master’s Degree in International Relations from American University, Katie Kirkpatrick joined the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs for the State Department. However, history was always her first love. She founded her own historical walking tours company with a mission to introduce local residents and visitors to under-represented aspects of Washington, DC history. Outside of the United States, Katie has taught in Paris and Istanbul and is delighted to be teaching international students in her beloved Washington, DC.

More information
Our classes consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework, and final assignment, as well as classes with your teacher/other au pairs. 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 class meets in person in Washington, DC. Add to cart and check out.

NYCinema: Iconic Movies in an Iconic City

New York has been the setting for thousands of movies. Take a stroll through American culture as you learn more about films you love and are introduced to iconic classic films, too. In this course, we will focus on three particular themes that often appear in movies set in New York: cultural diversity, love and friendship, and stories of crime. Your independent projects are centered on three films that you will watch and analyze: When Harry Met Sally, Do the Right Thing, and another of your choice. You’ll also watch and discuss clips from movies like The Devil Wears Prada, Gangs of New York, Ghostbusters, The Godfather, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and many more!

On our walking tours, we will live what we learned by visiting many famous NYC landmarks and neighborhoods. On the first day, we will start at the legendary 5 points area, where immigrants from dozens of countries lived and fought for a better life in the 1800's (Gangs of New York). Next, we will follow in the steps of the Corleone family in Chinatown/Little Italy. Then we’ll head to the lower east side of Manhattan, where we will have lunch at the legendary Katz Delicatessen and you'll see the famous table from When Harry Met Sally ('I'll have what she's having.'). After lunch, we will explore some films shot in Alphabet City, and take a stroll through Tompkins Park, where John McClane and Zeus Carver had to solve a deadly riddle (Die Hard with a Vengeance).

On the second day of our tour, we will try to bust a ghost at the main branch of the New York Public Library. From there, we’ll walk down 5th Avenue towards Central Park, stopping by a famous subway grate to practice our best “Marilyn moment” (The Seven Year Itch), as well walk in Audrey Hepburn’s footsteps to the iconic Tiffany's. In Central Park, we will see the Plaza Hotel: not only where Big broke Carrie Bradshaw’s heart, but the “Home” base of Kevin McAllister when he was lost in New York. Then we’ll visit some important Central Park landmarks of New York cinema, including the Dairy (Enchanted), The Mall (Trainwreck), Bethesda Terrace and Fountain (The Avengers), and Bow Bridge (Elf). Finally, we'll see the famous "Spook Central" building from Ghostbusters and The Dakota building from the iconic Rosemary's Baby!

More information
Our online classes consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework, and final assignment, as well 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.