6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
Politics and International Relations
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Prerequisites
Twelve credit points of second-year Arts units.
Notes
The unit has an internship component - contact the Unit Coordinator for further information.
Synopsis
This unit provides first-hand experience of US Congressional structures and processes via a full-time 9-week internship in Washington, D.C. It directly assists students focusing upon US public policy and the US's international relations to develop their understanding and skills. Entry is highly competitive; places are strictly limited; and selection will be based primarily upon academic merit. Students will work under the overall supervision of a responsible senior Congressional official within the office of a U.S. Member of the House of Representatives or the Senate.
Outcomes
- Students who complete this internship successfully will gain first-hand experience of US Congressional structures and processes via a full-time 9-week internship in Washington, D.C.
- students will develop their understanding of US public policy.
- students will become acquainted with the structures and processes of contemporary US government.
- students will comprehend the nature of American public policy research and reporting.
- students will gain direct exposure to the legal, financial and political reporting requirements associated with public policy implementation.
- students will gain an understanding of the social, cultural and ethical objectives and implications associated with public policy implementation.
Assessment
Within semester assessment: 100%
Workload requirements
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
See also Unit timetable information
Off-campus attendance requirements
Students are based in Washington D.C. full-time for 9 weeks (January - March). Students are expected to undertake an additional 5 hours of private study per week in addition to the internship.