Boilers Go To DC
Politics and Communication Then and Now

Course Registration Information: Washington DC Practicum - COM 491 / POL 429 / HIST 302
Dates in Washington, D.C.: May 19, 2025 to May 25, 2025 
Pre-Departure Information Session: TBA
Asynchronous Program Dates: May 26, 2025 to June 13, 2025
Deadline to Apply:  February 19, 2025 - 11:00 PM (Eastern)
Credits: 3.0 hours
Description:
Boilers Go to DC (BGDC) is an experiential learning program to study up close the historic interconnections of political communication, government, news media, non-profits, and other influential organizations. During this immersive program, participants meet and interact with Washington decision-makers and communicators and visit historic sites that changed the course of our nation. Students will learn about politics, political communication, and develop fundamental media literacy, including finding reliable news sources and deciphering media biases and motivations.
This course will include foundational career readiness and an innovative mentorship component in which students will be matched with an alumni mentor from Washington D.C to learn about career paths in a variety of fields and learn about living and working in DC. Students will also meet and connect with other Purdue alumni including C-SPAN Founder Brian Lamb.
Course Instructor(s):
Andrea Langrish, Managing Director, Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement
Cara Smith, Academic Program Manager, Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement
Special Guest: Diana Zulli, Assistant Professor, Brian Lamb School of Communication

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.3 and good standing (no probation) with the University
• Must currently be enrolled as an undergraduate student and not have graduated prior to the start of the course
• Applicant Interview

Must submit all of the following by the deadline:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of Recommendation from a current Purdue University faculty member
• Cover letter
  • Explain your reasons and interest in participating in the course
  • List three goals you have for this course

Refer to Purdue Online Writing Lab for how to write and format resumes and cover letters.

Students will be notified when they are accepted into the course.

After Acceptance Into the Course

• Register for the course in My Purdue portal
• Instructor approval required
•  
• Deposit Fee: $500 to be paid no later than March 15, 2025
  • Instructions for deposit will be provided after acceptance into the course
  • $500 deposit will be applied toward class fee

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
For information about scholarship applications, contact Andrea Langrish, Managing Director, Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement at langrish@purdue.edu.

BGDC MENTORSHIP COMPONENT
As part of the BGDC course, students who are admitted to the course will be matched with Purdue alumni from the Washington D.C. region to learn more about career paths in a variety of fields as well as learning about living and working in DC. Students will also meet and connect with other Purdue alumni while in DC. The BGDC mentoring component is included in the final course grade.

BGDC Student Mentoring Requirements

• Review program guidelines and submit a signed copy​
• Complete and submit an entry survey​
• Review code of conduct agreement and submit a signed copy​
• Complete all meeting assignments

Non-compliance with any part of the code of conduct agreement will result in termination from the program.

Mentor Meetings

• Mentors and Mentees are required to meet a minimum of 3 times prior to May 25, 2024
• Mentees must submit a post-meeting reflection after each meeting
• Meeting Topics will be provided for the mentoring meetings

Mentor Matching

• Matching of mentors and students is based on information provided in the entry surveys

PROGRAM FEE: 
The BGDC Program Fee will be approximately *$2410 and includes tuition, apartment housing, course-related activities including admission and tour fees, course materials, some meals and refreshments, and travel insurance. Program cost does NOT include transportation. Students will be responsible for arranging and paying for all travel expenses including airfare, rail, bus, taxi, or rideshare as well as purchasing food and incidentals not covered by the program fee. SCHOLARSHIPS are available based on financial need.
* Program fee is estimated and may be subject to change.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Students will stay in fully furnished apartments. Apartments are primarily two-bedroom, two-bath units with a shared common space of living room, kitchen and dining area. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Students accepting admission are responsible for:

• Paying all fees before deadlines
• Attending all pre-class sessions (dates to be announced)
• Attending all required mentorship meetings
• Bringing all required identification and vaccination records

QUESTIONS?
For any questions about Boilers Go To DC, please contact Andrea Langrish, Managing Director, Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement at langrish@purdue.edu