Washington DC: History, Heritage, & Politics (The Great Courses Series)

As a political epicenter, Washington DC is a major national and international crossroads and featured in the global news on a daily basis. But beyond the glamour and glare of high-profile politics, it is a city on par with some of the greatest in the world, brimming over with remarkable history and culture, and offering a multitude of unforgettable sights and experiences. Throughout this capital city, you'll find some of the world's most beautiful and extraordinary national monuments—of which the iconic Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial are only the beginning. It is also home to some of the world's finest museums of history, science, and art, from the phenomenal Smithsonian museums to the National Gallery of Art, and more. There are masterpieces of civic architecture such as the National Mall and the Library of Congress, as well as monumental government facilities, from the U.S. Capitol to the State and Treasury Departments.

Discover Washington DC through the Expertise of the Smithsonian

Washington, DC: History, Heritage, & Politics includes lessons from the Great Courses who have partnered with the Smithsonian, the nation's premier repository of U.S. history and world culture, to bring you a deep and multi-faceted look at this amazing city. This exciting 24-lesson course—lavishly illustrated with thousands of historic images, animated maps, and substantial location footage—rests on the vast historical and administrative resources of the Smithsonian, and on the brilliant and engaging commentary of Dr. Richard Kurin, Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large.

Legendary Sights and Hidden Treasures

In this insider's tour of Washington, Dr. Kurin leads you on a dazzling journey through the many layers of history and human endeavor that created DC's extraordinary urban environment. Along the way, he takes you beyond the most visible and well-known sites to uncover hidden gems that visitors usually don't know about, offering fascinating perspectives on DC's history, from the 18th-century origins of the District of Columbia to the 21st-century city we know today. Assignments address the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Social Studies-History Standards.

This course is applicable towards the United States History Certificate.