Colleges will offer course on DNC

National political conventions can be many things: Historical events, weeklong parties, even learning experiences.

In fact, Winthrop University in Rock Hill is planning a political-science course for fall 2012 called "The Democratic National Convention."

The course begins Aug. 6- not quite a month before Charlotte hosts the 2012 Democratic National Convention. According to the school, "the course will include traditional classroom, online and experiential instructional techniques."

Offered under the aegis of the John C. West Forum on Politics and Policy (named for a former S.C. governor), the course will be open not only to Winthrop University students, but also to undergraduates at all S.C. colleges and at all Charlotte-area colleges and universities that will be part of a consortium. From January to July 2012, this "Charlotte Consortium" of colleges and universities will organize host programs involving students related to the Democratic convention in Charlotte.

Details: 803-323-4584 or www.winthrop.edu/west forum Tim Funk