Political Science 485
POSC 485
Internships in Political Science and Public Administration
Catalog Entry
POSC 485 Internships in Political Science and Public Administration
Credit Hours (3-15).
Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing; 2.5 in political science; 2.0 cumulative university GPA; departmental approval. Must be POSC major or minor.
This course allows students to integrate concepts developed in classroom experiences and relevant readings in the theory of political science and public administration with the practice of these concepts in public and private agencies, organizations, and institutions.
Note(s): Applied Learning designated course. Only three hours may be applied toward requirements for the major or minor.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Students develop an internship proposal in conjunction with the Political Science Department's internship advisor. Students may develop proposals to work in and study the judicial, legislative and executive branches or some public policy area. Proposed projects may include: (1) providing an organization or agency with some type of finished product that the agency has not had the resources to accomplish; (2) working on a political campaign; (3) performing day-by-day activities in an agency's or organization's office; and (4) studying the connections between some type of service project or local issue and national public policy concerns.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Procedures:
(1) See the internship advisor to discuss the general idea of the internship and its feasibility;
(2) Simultaneously, seek out an internship site and supervisor willing to take you on as a student intern.
(3) Seek approval for a syllabus for the internship course by the internship advisor;
(4) Return the internship agreement signed by the organization which will host the intern to seek approval from the internship advisor;
(5) Finalize approvals with the department chair.
Requirements:
(1) Students must submit weekly journals. The final journal submission will constitute an exit reflection on the internship experience.
(2) Syllabus specifies a date for oral presentation of a book review or multiple book reviews.
(3) Syllabus specifies a date for submission of the final internship project.
(4) Interns are required to check in periodically by e-mail with the internship advisor. They have an exit meeting with the internship supervisor to reflect on the course experience.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students will:
Explore professional practice through the application of knowledge, skills, and critical reflection.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students apply acquired knowledge and skills to develop professional identity or professional practice.
2. Students critically reflect on their learning, abilities, experiences, or role within professional contexts.
Assessment Measures
Assessment measures will include:
(1) Evaluations from the organization or agency of the student's attitude, preparation, and work habits;
(2) Evaluation of journals, oral presentation final project, and exit interview by the internship advisor (including timeliness of submissions).
Other Course Information
None
Approval and Subsequent Reviews
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
April 1998 Reviewed M.J. Franck, Dept. Chair
March 01, 2021