PS99 Internship - Fieldwork in Politics
Course Overview
The Department of Political Science offers the opportunity for field
work or internship experience through Political Science 99. This course
enables students to combine the academic study of politics including
American government, international relations and comparative politics,
political theory, with practical work experience in the public or
private sector in Massachusetts. Students interested in pursuing an
internship in Washington DC should apply to the Tufts in Washington
Program.
The requirements for Political Science 99 include one departmental
course related to the internship position, a position (paid or unpaid)
involving approximately 8-16 hours employment per week, and written
assignments relating field experience to coursework in political
science. Although the Political Science Department obtains positions
for some students, most obtain placements through their own efforts.
During the 2011-2012 academic year Professor Gleason will direct PS 99.
Students will meet periodically with Professor Gleason to discuss their paper topics
and the progress of their internships.
Please note that the internship must be taken concurrently with
Political Science 99 as the Department does not offer this course in
the summer terms. It is not possible to get course credit for summer
internships.
Course Objectives
This course has three objectives. First, like all other political
science courses, PS 99 seeks to develop an understanding of political
processes, and an ability to critically analyze political systems,
relationships and problems.
Internships provide students with an opportunity to test concepts learned in the classroom in a
professional or organizational setting. Second, the course seeks to
encourage students' capacity for intelligent, responsible citizenship.
It does this by exposing students to the day-to-day workings of
various government agencies including local, state, and federal, private sector
firms, non-profit political and advocacy organizations, or political
parties. Third, PS 99 provides the opportunity to develop professional
skills and awareness of the marketplace, and also to explore possible
postgraduate employment or graduate study.
Prerequisites
Admission to PS 99 requires sophomore standing or the consent of the
instructor. Students wishing to take PS 99 should have completed two
foundation (Category 1) courses in political science, as stipulated in
the Department of Political Science. The Department of
Political Science is in the process of updating the Handbook, soon
to be posted online. For questions, please email
Paula Driscoll.
Admission Procedures
Students wishing to take this course must submit the
PS 99 application
form to Professor Gleason no later than the second week of classes.
This brief form requires the student to:
- provide the name,
address, telephone number, and supervisor's names for the proposed
internship;
- briefly describe the proposed internship position and the work
involved; and
- discuss how that position relates to the student's
previous course work in political science.
Course Requirements
There are three requirements for this course:
- an internship
position (paid or unpaid) involving approximately 8-16 hours employment per week,
- one department course related to the position taken, and
- two 8-10
page papers or one 18-20 term paper that relates field experience to
academic materials.
Grades
Students must take PS 99 for a letter grade. There are two components
of the grade:
- a student's written work, and
- the employer or
internship supervisor's written evaluation of the student's work.
The
course grade will be determined as follows:
The Student's Written Work 50%
Employer's Evaluation: 50%
This form must be signed by the student, the instructor, and the
internship supervisor or employer before the student is formally
enrolled in PS 99.
Related Information
Internships:
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