17.901/902
POLITICAL
SCIENCE INTERNSHIP AND RESEARCH
Fall
2001
Tuesdays 3:00 – 4:30 pm in 38-136
Class days: September
11 November
20
September 18 December 4
October 2 December 11
October 23
November 6
Instructors:
Tobie Weiner Michal
Ben-Josef Hirsch
E53-484, 3-3649 E53-354
iguanatw@mit.edu michal@mit.edu
http://web.mit.edu/17.901
Description
of Course
The Political Science Department's Internship
Program is designed to supplement the classroom learning experience with
“hands-on” experience in settings where political activity and policy-making
and implementation actually take place.
Placement possibilities include political campaigns, legislators'
offices, legal service organizations, human service agencies, advocacy groups
and organizations concerned with such issues as education, public health, the
environment, the homeless, and more.
The class is units-arranged and can be taken for
6-15 units. The number of units
corresponds to the number of hours students work each week at their internship
site.
Requirements
for the class
Internship placements typically last one
semester and students are required to work between 6-15 hours each week at the
internship site. Students will work
directly with the program administrator, a teaching assistant from the
Political Science Department and with a supervisor at the internship site.
Interns must secure two letters from their
on-site supervisors. The first letter details what hours they are working
and what their duties will be. The second letter is an evaluation of their
performance during the semester.
Students in the class attend 7 class sessions and one reception dinner, complete 3
reading assignments, write 3 short
response papers (3-5 pages) analyzing the readings and their relationship
to the internship placement, and write one three
to five pages response to several questions we will ask about their
internship organization.
Papers are due in class on the assigned
dates. Late papers will be penalized.
Class attendance is mandatory.
The final requirement is the student's evaluation of their internship
experience. In the evaluation you’ll share with future interns how you
received the placement, the benefits you received from the internship and some
tips for other students looking for a placement.
Grading
is as follows:
Internship
(completion of required hours and evaluation from supervisor) = 50%
Four papers = 30%
Class participation = 20%
If you have any questions please feel free to
contact Tobie or Michal.
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Syllabus
9/11 Orientation
Session
How to find an
internship
Description of the seminar and
requirements for the class
How to write a paper discussion
Schedule an appointment with Michal
or Tobie to discuss placement
opportunities.
Hand out first reading packet
For the next
two weeks you’ll be calling internship organizations, interviewing and deciding
which placement is best for you.
Contact Tobie or Michal for information on placements and help with
cover letters, resumes. Also see the
hand out, “How to find an internship.”
9/18 Discuss
first reading packet
First paper due
Hand out second reading packet
10/2 Discussion
of second reading packet
Second paper due
10/23 Placement
discussion
Response to
questions due
Hand out third reading packet
11/6
One
of the following:
Discussion of third reading packet, guest
speaker, field trip
11/20 One
of the following:
Discussion of third reading packet, guest
speaker, film, field trip
12/4 Final
placement discussion and class evaluations
12/11 End
of semester party
Second supervisor letter due
Student evaluation of placement due