Eligibility:

A student must a) be a Political Science major; and b) have achieved junior year status or have completed six courses in Political Science including PS 201 U.S. Politics; and c) have a 3.0 GPA overall and in the major.

A student must provide evidence of having completed all of the above prior to filling out the field studies contract (available at the Political Science office, 936 PLC).

The field studies contract must be completed before you will be able to register for field studies credit and no later than Friday of the 2nd week of the term. After you turn in the contract to the Political Science office, your student number will be entered into the Donald system, and you can then register for PS 406 via Duck Call.

Requirements:

All field study credit is to be graded and will be four credits per term.

A student must write a paper at least 5,000-words in length, text only, (approx 20 page).

This paper is due in the Faculty Field Study Coordinator's mailbox in the Political Science office by 4:00 P.M. on the Friday of the last week of classes ("Dead Week"), to avoid an Incomplete.

Incompletes can only be removed during the term immediately following the term in which registered, excluding summer.

Internship Paper:

Background of Legislator/Candidate, or Nature of Political Organization (1-2 pages)

Presentation and Analysis of Internship Experience (20 page minimum). Describe in detail the type of work you performed as an intern. Examples of constituency letters, legislative research, campaign literature, etc. should be included in Appendix, but they should be described and analyzed in this section. Remember, this paper should be the intellectual equivalent of a research paper; instead of going to the Library to gather information, you should use your internship experience to explain and comment on political phenomena or public policies. This section should not be a mere journal or chronological account of your internship.

Evaluation of Internship Experience (1 -2 pages)

Appendix: Attach examples of any materials relevant to your internship.

Keep a copy of your internship paper; comments will be provided to you, but the original will not be returned.

State Legislative Internships:

All of the above requirements and restrictions apply, but students also must fill out an application with the state capitol.

State legislative internship credits are only available for a two-term sequence (4 credits per term). You will write one 35-40 page paper, due during the last week of spring term classes. You will receive an I* (Incomplete in Progress) for the winter term. If you do not reregister for PS 405 in the spring term, you will receive a "Y" for the winter term.