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Previous Academic Resources

Learning Beyond Campus (LBC) allows students to gain transferable college credit (HIS 201 and ENG 201) by experiencing history firsthand.  The program will run for 8 weeks.  The classes will meet virtually for three weeks (roughly the last three weeks of May).  Then, the group will fly out to Boston, MA from GSP International airport.  Studies will continue in the New England area for a little less than three weeks (roughly the first three weeks of June).  During their stay, students will walk the Freedom Trail, go whale watching, visit Plimoth Patuxet, see Revolutionary War battlefields, explore the houses and historic sites associated with important political and literary figures, and stroll through the campus of Harvard University, among many other things.  And, of course, they will sample local culture and cuisine.  Afterwards, the students will fly back and have two weeks to complete course assignments (no class meetings the last two weeks). 

Both HIS 201 (American History: Discovery to 1877) and ENG 201 (Early American Literature) will be taken together by each student for 6 credit hours.  The classes will be taught separately the first three weeks, but the course work and assignments will be integrated.  Ideally all students will take both HIS 201 and ENG 201, but we can take one or two students that only take one course if they have already previously completed the other course or if their major does not require a literature course. 

To reserve a spot for the trip, the first step is to send the completed LBC Early American Studies application to Alex Eaton (aeaton@tctc.edu). Once the application is received, an appointment will be set up to discuss more details. All questions can be directed to Alex Eaton at aeaton@tctc.edu.

LBC Early American Studies Application

Exploore Boston, Earn College Credit! flyer

2018 Group (1)
Learning Beyond Campus groun in Boston 2019.
Learning Beyond Campus groun in Boston 2023.

LBC Frequently Asked Questions

The short answer is yes. 

HIS 201 is the standard Early American History course.  It will satisfy the Humanities requirement for 2-year programs at TCTC.  It also satisfies South Carolina’s REACH Act requirement for 4-year degrees.  This course is also part of the Statewide Articulation Agreement – meaning all public 2-year and 4-year institutions will accept it as a transfer course.

ENG 201 is the standard Early American Literature course.  It satisfies a communication credit for TCTC’s A.S. and A.A. degrees.  It can also satisfy literature requirements at other institutions.  Like HIS 201, ENG 201 is part of the Statewide Articulation Agreement – meaning all public 2-year and 4-year institutions will accept it as a transfer course.

Yes, that is possible.  We can take a limited number of students that only take one of the two classes.  Additionally, if a student does not need a literature class for their major, then we can take them with just the HIS 201 course too.

Potentially. In the past we have taken a handful of students as unofficial teaching assistants (TAs). If a student has completed both HIS 201 and ENG 201, then we can have a conversation about them participating in this fashion.

HIS 201 does not have any pre-reqs, but students will need to complete ENG 102 or ENG 103 (before the summer terms) to register for the ENG 201 course.

Potentially.  The LBC faculty teach courses other than HIS 201 and ENG 201.  We are looking to find ways to incorporate those classes into the LBC program.  Reach out to Alex Eaton (aeaton@tctc.edu) to discuss this further.

Overall costs vary each year, but the trip is managed in-house and that allows us to run it below-cost for students. There are three costs to consider:

  • Tuition and books for the courses (3 credit hours for one course and 6 credit hours for 2 courses). Tuition rates for these courses are identical to the rates paid for other courses at TCTC. Those rates do vary depending on residency status.
  • The trip cost itself. This cost covers everything (flight, housing, transportation…etc) but tuition, books and personal purchases.  Based on previous years, this cost should be between $1300 and $1600. Every dime of this cost goes towards specific activities or supplies for the students.
  • Spending money. We generally are able to book housing that provides breakfast and dinner, but students will want some funds for other meals, laundry, and souvenirs.

The courses associated with the trip are eligible for the same financial aid as other courses at TCTC.  What aid is available depends on the individual student.  Contact Financial Aid for more information on this. The trip cost portion of the program is not eligible for financial aid, but if student receive money back from financial aid, then that can be used to pay this expense.

Yes, asynchronous online courses do not interfere with the LBC program. Many of the LBC faculty teach online courses during this trip. It may also be possible to take Session C (second five-weeks) courses.  We generally return from Boston right when these courses begin. Courses with set meeting times during the Session A (first five weeks) or MayTerm will interfere with the program and cannot be taken.

No, the LBC trip does not conflict with Bridge students transferring to Clemson (Many of our participants are Bridge students).