Description:

Students augment their academic course work with an internship in an appropriate setting under instructional supervision. Internship projects are cooperative efforts between appropriate supervisors in state, local or national government settings or not-for-profit organizations and college staff and students. Internships give students the opportunity to participate in the real-world application of their academic studies. In addition, this synthesis of classroom study with practical experience provides students with skills and insights useful in selecting a career or avocation in community service. The student spends the equivalent of 10 hours per week performing internship duties over the course of the semester or a total of 150 hours.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Apply the academic study of political science to the type of duties performed and observations made during the course of the internship.
2. Demonstrate the successful integration of academic study in political science classes into work in state, local or national government settings or not-for-profit organizations.
3. Successfully perform internship tasks and functions under direct supervision in a mature and professional manner.
4. Apply skills acquired during the internship application process to future career-related employment, volunteer work or community service.
5. Prepare documentation, both personally and professionally, for a career choice, avocation or community service in the field of government.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Apply skills acquired during the internship application experience
to future career-related employment, volunteer work or community service.
   A. Prepare to find an appropriate internship setting. 
      1. Write a resume. 
      2. Successfully complete a mock interview.
      3. Identify appropriate internship sites. 
   B. Apply for and secure an internship site in an appropriate setting
confirmed by a letter of acceptance.
      1. Develop learning objectives, strategies, tasks, and strategies
appropriate to the internship in consultation with Internship Coordinator
and site supervisor.
      2. Complete a contract between JCCC & internship agency or
representative signed by the Political Science Internship Coordinator,
student and site supervisor.

II. Successfully perform internship tasks and functions under direct
supervision in a mature and professional manner.
   A. Identify responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the internship.
   B. Maintain a log of hours worked and major responsibilities
completed.
   C. Demonstrate ability to complete successfully the tasks assigned.
   D. Work systematically and logically through the various issues that
arise in the internship setting.
   E. Develop human relations skills needed for the position.
   F. Display sensitivity to the needs of the diversity of staff, clients
and/or constituents encountered in the internship setting.
   G. Adhere to policies and procedures of the internship site. 
   H. Respect the confidentiality of privileged information regarding
staff, clients, and/or constituents.

III. Demonstrate successful integration of classroom study and daily
internship work in journal entries, written reports, and discussions or
seminars.
   A. Outline the relationship between the student’s individual
education objectives and strategies and the internship duties and
activities.  
   B. Analyze the relationship between classroom knowledge and internship
related tasks.

IV. Prepare documentation, both personally and professionally, for a
career choice or avocation.
   A. Construct a portfolio that documents the steps in a successful job
search and successful job performance.
   B. Complete a self-assessment of personal growth in the selection of a
career or avocation based on internship experiences.
   C. Complete a self-assessment of professional growth in the selection
of a career or avocation based on observations made and duties
performed.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

1. Student Portfolio: Each student will maintain and keep a current
portfolio containing all documents developed during the course of the
internship experience. The portfolio will include, but is not limited to,
each of the following:
   a. Preparation Materials: Orientation materials, application materials
and resume.      
   b. Log: Each student must maintain a daily log signed by their site
supervisor documenting the equivalent of ten on-site hours worked per week
over a fifteen week period. 
   c. Report: Each student will complete three written reports outlining
the relationship between the specified internship educational objectives
and strategies and their internship activities.  
   d. Paper: Each student will write a 3-page (minimum) paper analyzing
their internship experience from an academic point of view.   
2. Discussions: The student will attend a minimum of three internship
seminars and/or meetings with the Political Science Internship
Coordinator. 
3. Supervisor Evaluation: The on-site internship supervisor will complete
two evaluations of the student intern’s progress and performance.
4. Self-Assessment: The student will complete a professional and personal
self-assessment based on the internship experience. 

All written assignments will be produced with considerable care and
attention to mechanical as well as intellectual content.  The quality of a
student’s writing will be taken into consideration when assigning grades.
 
In determining final grades, assignments are weighed as follows:  
  Log(or Journal) of Activities, reports–25-30% of final grade
  Supervisor evaluation/self-assessment–25-30% of final grade
  Discussions/seminars/final reflection paper–40-50% of final
grade

Caveats:

1. As a representative of JCCC, student behavior must adhere to the following standards: a) The JCCC Student Code of Conduct; b) Policies and procedures of the internship placement site; c)Confidentiality of privileged information regarding staff, clients, and/or constituents to which the student is privy.
2. Transportation to the internship site is the responsibility of the student.
3. The student must meet all “employment” requirements of the selected internship site. These requirements may include background investigation, records checks, statements of confidentiality, and/or specific prerequisites and/or physical requirements. SOME APPLICANTS MAY BE INELIGIBLE FOR SOME PLACEMENTS DUE TO INTERNSHIP AGENCY OR OFFICE CRITERIA.
4. Failure of the student to complete requirements and/or dismissal by sponsoring internship agency or office site precludes successful completion of this course and award of college credit.
5. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Visit with Political Science Internship Coordinator and JCCC Career Services Center regarding eligibility, credit-enrollment, appropriate internship sites, and job search procedures. Attend Internship Orientation session and complete Internship Program application process. Contact the selected site and satisfactorily complete the placement process, and secure a letter of acceptance. Complete course contact with Political Science Internship Coordinator and enroll in the course. Assume responsibility for securing and maintaining a portfolio of all necessary paperwork for the course. Perform required internship duties and responsibilities in keeping with JCCC and internship placement agency policies and procedures.
6. JCCC RESPONSIBILITES: Conduct pre-internship activities with student. Develop a contract describing internship responsibilities, expectations, and requirements signed by the student, internship site supervisor, and Political Science Internship Coordinator. Conduct three meetings and/or seminars with the student to review the student’s progress toward meeting student learning objectives for the internship and the relationship between the student’s academic work and internship activities. Maintain periodic contact with the designated internship site supervisor. Review the student daily logs to determine compliance with internship contact hour requirements.
7. SITE REQUIREMENTS OF INTERNSHIP AGENCY: Conduct required pre-employment activities with student. Designate an internship site supervisor. Accept and sign student internship contract. Supervise all internship activities previously agreed upon by sponsoring agency and the Political Science Internship Coordinator. Complete a mid-term and final supervisory evaluation and submit to Political Science Internship Coordinator.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.