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Austin Community College |
Spring 2010 |
Dr. Edward J. Mullen |
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Section 06786 |
Pinnacle 403 |
W 2:50 – 4:05 PM |
INTERNSHIP in GOVERNMENT
GOVT 2389
Required
reading: No text required. Readings from current events will be
assigned by the instructor.
Optional reading: Brown, Langenegger, et al. Practicing
Texas Politics. Thirteenth edition. Houghton-Mifflin, 2008
Grading
criteria: Grading will be based on
student performance in the internship, a written essay on the experience,
participation, attendance, evaluations, and oral presentations.
First
presentation 10%
Second
presentation 20%
Final Essay 20%
Agency
evaluation 20%
Attendance/reporting 10%
Discussion
Boards 20%
Grading
criteria: Grading will be based on
student performance in the internship, a written essay on the experience,
participation, attendance, evaluations, and oral presentations.
á
First
presentation 10%
á
Second
presentation 20%
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Final Essay 20%
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Agency
evaluation 20%
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Attendance/reporting 10%
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Discussion
Boards 20%
Goals and Objectives This course consists of
experiential learning as an intern in a government agency. The goal of the course is to provide
the student with first-hand experience in the daily workings of government. Through self-study, seminars, actual
work experience, and online discussion, the course introduces a framework for
an in-depth understanding of Texas government and politics, its constitutional
basis, and its processes, institutions, and policies. The objective is to compare the intent of the original Constitution
with the realities of modern economic and political life. The student will analyze the effects of
government structure and regulation on our society, compare those effects with
the original intent, and determine why differences exist and how they affect
the studentÕs world.
The course will be conducted as a volunteer work project at a
government agency. During the
course, you will be required to attend scheduled classes and work up to 20
hours per week in a legislative office or state agency. You will be paid a stipend to work
these hours. You will coordinate
the exact schedule with your agency supervisor. Students may receive stipends for working in the
internship. There are three
choices:
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6
hours per week at the internship position – no stipend.
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10
hours per week - $15.00/hour for 4 months.
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20
hours per week - $15.00/hour for 4 months.
You will be graded on two oral presentations, one written
essay, the evaluation of your legislative or agency head for whom you work,
discussion board participation on Blackboard, and attendance /reporting throughout the semester. You must enter ACCÕs classroom management website, Blackboard, Instructions for students are located at: http://itdl.austincc.edu/blackboard/stlogin.htm
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Office hours
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Virtual Office: |
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PINNACLE OFFICE:
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Pinnacle 415; telephone 223 8136 Home telephone:
(254) 698 2304 |
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Th & F by
appointment |
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Attendance
Policy Failure to work the required hours
will result in one percentage point deduction from your final grade for each
day of absence.
Withdrawal
Policy The
instructor will not withdraw you.
If you wish to drop the course, you must take action. The last
day to withdraw from this course is 26 April. Incompletes will be approved only for the most dire
reasons. See Dr. Mullen before the
withdrawal date.
Academic
Freedom
ÒEach student
is strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. In any classroom
situation that includes discussion and critical writing, particularly about
political ideas, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Students may
not only disagree with each other at times, but the students and instructor may
also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics. It is my hope that these differences
will enhance class discussion and create an atmosphere where students and
instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn. Therefore, be assured
that your grades will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas
expressed in class or in assignments. Rather, we will all respect the views of
others when expressed in classroom discussions.Ó
Scholastic
Dishonesty: As described in the ACC Student
Handbook, scholastic dishonesty constitutes a violation of college rules and
regulations and is punishable according to the procedures outlined in the
Handbook. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an
exam (either providing answers to or stealing answers from another student), plagiarism,
and collusion. Plagiarism includes
use of another authorÕs words or arguments without attribution. Collusion is defined as the
unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for
fulfillment of any course requirement. If a student commits any of the above
actions, the instructor may seek disciplinary action in the form of an academic
penalty, which may include a course grade of ÔFÕ. Such disciplinary action will
be in accordance with ACC Policies
Office
for Students with Disabilities:
Each
ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical,
cognitive, or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must
request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with
Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their
classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the
course.
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My
Sympathy Policy: |
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(We are all solely responsible for our own
results.) |
ÒIt seems a shame,Õ the Walrus said |
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ÔTo play them such a trick. |
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After weÕve brought them out so far, |
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And made them trot so quick!Ó |
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ÒI weep for you,Õ the Walrus said: |
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ÔI deeply sympathize.Õ |
Lewis
Carroll
Internship requirements:
1. From the approved list, select an
agency for which you wish to volunteer.
2. Prepare a resume, contact that agencyÕs
staff, and interview for the position.
3. Turn in a short written plan of your
internship.
4. Work as an intern for the required
number of hours.
5. Keep a journal of your activities.
6. Obtain an evaluation of your work from
a staff administrator.
7. Give informal oral class reports of
your experience during class meeting dates (to be determined). During these class meetings, we will
exchange experiences and encouragement and report mid-session experiences.
8. Write a formal report of your
internship experience.
9. Give a formal presentation based on the
report.
formal presentation:
The
presentation should last five to ten minutes. You will be evaluated on organization of the presentation,
speaking style, use of visual aids, and the wild applause of your fellow
students.
All papers done at home must be typed, double-spaced, and correct in grammar and spelling. Any statements of fact must be properly
credited.
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DATE |
DAY |
TOPIC |
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20 Jan |
Wednesday |
Introduction/Orientation How to Write |
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27 Jan |
Wednesday |
Orientation
Continued |
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03 Feb |
Wednesday |
¥ Internship
Plan Due ¥ |
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03 Feb – 9 Mar |
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Internship in Progress |
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10 Mar |
Wednesday |
First
Presentation |
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14 – 21 March ACC SPRING BREAK |
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21 March – 11 May |
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Internship in Progress |
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12 May |
Wednesday |
FINAL
Presentation All Papers
and Evaluations due |
Discussion Board Schedule
Weekly, open on Sunday, close on Saturday.
PLEASE EMAIL THE INSTRUCTOR
ONCE EACH WEEK WITH A REPORT OF YOUR WEEKÕS ACTIVITIES.
Texas Government
Internship
Section 2389
Spring
2010 Semester
To the Staff Administrator:
Thank
you for taking the time to coach and train the A.C.C student who is interning
with you. Please take a few
minutes to complete this form.
Your evaluation will be part of the studentÕs grade.
Dr. Edward
J. Mullen, Instructor
Name of student:
_______________________
Dates of participation: __________________
What were the studentÕs duties?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Were you satisfied with the studentÕs preparation and
effort?
________________________________
Please add any other comments that you wish.
____________________________________________________________________________________
What is your position on the staff?
__________________________________________
Your name _____________________
Number at which you can be reached ______________