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 The Mural, James Sicner Students |
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Students Experiential and Service-Learning in Political Science
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The Student Experience:Internships are an integral component of our discipline, and most of our majors complete one or more internships prior to graduation. Internship opportunities are available at the local, state, national, and international level. Students who study abroad also have the opportunity to combine their course work with internships. Study abroad is encouraged by the department. Courses taken abroad can be used for the major with the approval of the department. Recently, political science majors have studied in England, Ireland, Scotland, China, Spain, Mexico, Ghana, and Australia. American government majors are encouraged to spend a semester in Washington, DC. The department coordinates its Washington Semester through the Study Abroad Office. Students take course work and complete internships as part of this program. Many students will choose to complete an internship in Washington during the summer. Political science majors are also encouraged to develop their foreign language skills. Students pursuing studies in international or comparative politics need one or more foreign language to permit them to work more effectively. Foreign languages are also important to majors concentrating in American politics given the diversity of populations now living in the United States. There are ample opportunities for students to get involved in the department, including Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. A pre-law fraternity is also available to those contemplating a legal career. Many political science students hold elected posts in campus political organizations. The department sponsors student participation, including the presentation of scholarly papers, at national meetings. There are close relationships between members of the department and campus political organizations, and the department has encouraged student participation in elections at all levels of government. |
