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Practicum in American Studies

AMST 3010: INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, WASHINGTON DC

The Washington Internship Program is an initiative of the American Studies Department. The first students to participate in this program left Australia for Washington DC in January, 2000.

The program consist of a six week placement in the national Government of the United States in Washington DC. Students who complete the placement will receive six units of third year level work toward their major in American Studies.

Students who are selected as interns in the program choose from approximately 18 placement options, the bulk of which are in the offices of US Senators and members of the United States House of Representatives. Some senior committee positions are also available, eg on the United States House of Representative Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and on the US Congress Joint Economic Committee. Other placement options include positions in the Federal Communications Commission, think tanks such as the Progressive Policy Institute and several news organizations focused on Capitol Hill news.

On applying for admission to this program, students nominate three possible placement offices. The program has a director in Washington DC who assists with placements and seeks to match student interest with the interest of placement providers. The goal is to ensure that every student is granted his or her first or second placement choice.

Students who are accepted into the topic may apply for the Flinders University RA Simpson International Scholarship, which is awarded on academic merit.

The Flinders students working in Washington in January and February will reside together in a corporate apartment.

While in Washington, the students will pursue a specific project which results in a 6,000 word essay submitted on their return. This, and the evaluation of the placement office, provides the basis for the grade in the six unit topic. The project develops from shared interests between the student and the placement office; the intention is that the student pursues the project while working in the assigned internship position.

There are pre-requisites for this topic; understandably the Department of American Studies does not wish to send to Washington students who are not familiar with the US political system. The program is presently restricted to six students per year, selected on academic merit.

The Washington Internship program provides a unique and unparalleled opportunity in Australasia to work in high level positions in the United States Government. The Department believes its students who have participated in this program will return with a unique appreciation of the workings of a foreign nation's political system.

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