Much is said about Washington. Much of it is wrong. This course will immerse students in the history, institutions and rituals of nation’s capital. You will learn about Washington’s transformation from a remote federal city to the world’s most powerful capital. We will analyze the accuracy of Washington’s depiction throughout history, how it is represented – and misrepresented -- in modern culture, and why it is ridiculed by politicians who want to work there. We will examine the glorification and vilification of Washington in literature and film and assess the truth behind popular Washington myths. We will probe Washington policy debates and rituals and survey the research tools used to separate fact from fiction. You will have an opportunity to study and visit monuments and museums, as well as iconic institutions as the National Portrait Gallery and Ben’s Chili Bowl.
About the Instructor: Professor Marc Sandalow (msandalow@ucdc.edu) is a senior faculty member at the University of California’s Washington Program. He worked as a journalist for nearly four decades, traveling with and interviewing candidates, and attending multiple Democratic and Republican nominating conventions. He spent 21 years at the San Francisco Chronicle, the last 10 years at the paper’s Washington Bureau Chief. He is the author of three books, including “Madam Speaker,” a biography of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He is currently a political analyst for KCBS radio in San Francisco and Hearst Television and writes a regular column for the San Francisco Examiner. He has been with UCDC since 2008.