In Fall 1999, program director Thanasi Moulakis led students on a trip to Washington, D.C. Students visited the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Washington and Lincoln monuments, and the Vietnam and Korean War memorials, "getting a feel for the symbolic self-expression of the American republic," Moulakis says.

They also met with political leaders. The students had a lively conversation with Colorado Rep. Mark Udall; were briefed on the activities of the House Science and Technology Committee by a leading member of the committee's professional staff; and attended a fascinating presentation in the West Wing of the White House by Arthur Bienestock, the president's associate director for science and former provost of Stanford University.

"I've been to Washington before, but I didn't have this type of access," says student James Balasalle, a future software engineer who is also interested in political philosophy.

The last day of the trip was devoted to the National Gallery. Each student was asked to identify two favorite works of art and explain the reasons for his preference by analyzing the works for the class.

"Such visits are not only intrinsically enriching but also contribute enormously to esprit de corps," Moulakis says. The program is seeking support to expand the excursion experience into a full-fledged study abroad program for selected engineering students—especially in the form of need and/or merit based scholarships. www.colorado.edu/engineering/herbst