AMST7016 Honours Internship Program: Washington DC

Professor Don DeBats

2020

1 x 7-week industry placement per semester

1 1 of AMST1002, GOVT2005
2 2 of AMST2002, AMST3013, POLI1003, AMST3015, GOVT1003, GOVT1001
2a GOVT1004 - Foundations in Political Systems and Institutions
Must Satisfy: (1 and (2 or 2a))

Topic approval is required for enrolment in this topic. Students should apply via courseadvice.bgl@flinders.edu.au.

AMST7013 has been successfully completed

This topic assumes the knowledge that would be gained from the completion of a major in American Studies

American Studies (Honours)

This topic consists of a seven-week placement in January and February in Washington DC in an institution of American national government. Placements will generally be in the legislative, executive or judicial branches of the US national government. While in Washington, students will pursue a project of interest to the internship provider and the student. This project will form the core of the assessment package attached to the topic, and there will be extensive consultation to ensure that the project can lead to an honours paper on return. The preferred approach will be one that is linked to the student's thesis project in some form.

There will normally be a quota of 6 students shared between this topic and AMST3016. Admission to this topic is not automatic: formal application is required. Admission will depend on honours eligibility and on academic performance in the prerequisite American Studies topics.

Introduce students to the operations of the US political system by work experience in a Congressional or associated office in Washington DC
Balance their theoretical knowledge of US politics by observing how policies are formulated in practice
Develop an understanding of the various pressures that shape the policies of working politicians and administrators
Sharpen their research and reporting skills through working on applied projects as part of their involvement in the workings of their office
Further develop students' ability to work independently and engage in self-directed learning
Further develop students' research and analysis skills
Further enhance students' abilities to communicate their knowledge in both oral and written form at a standard appropriate to the Honours level

Understand the specific characteristics of the work done by the office or unit to which they were assigned
Provide an oral report on a project chosen for further study and arising from the experience gained in the placement
Complete a 6000-word honours level paper based on that project
Demonstrate a high level of competence in the skills of comprehension, oral presentation, and scholarly writing
Demonstrate a scholarly approach to research materials, the ability to engage in thoughtful analysis, and the ability to synthesize a range of materials and ideas into a coherent argument
Apply their knowledge in various forms of assessment

Key dates and timetable

Timetable details for 2020 are no longer published.

This information is from current details held on the Student Information System. Please report any errors or omissions to the relevant College Office.