VIII. INTERNSHIPS AND FIELD EXPERIENCES
A. Teaching Internships
The Teaching Internship (L498) is designed to provide majors with the unique opportunity of working closely with a faculty member in teaching an undergraduate course. Teaching interns will experience at first hand many of the activities involved in the teaching of literature and culture at the college level. Such activities might include developing syllabi, devising paper and examination topics, grading papers, holding office hours, and leading class discussions. Since interns will ordinarily work in courses which they have previously taken or which cover material already familiar to them, a good deal of time will be spent on matters of pedagogy formulating teaching strategies, evaluating student performances, serving as liaisons between faculty and students. Majors who are contemplating a teaching career are strongly encouraged to participate in the intern program; but any student who wishes to gain a new perspective on literature and teaching should feel free to apply for a teaching internship. Recommended for seniors, who should apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the semester prior to the one in which they wish to intern. Students who undertake these internships may be eligible to apply for a small grant from the Honors Division.
B. Editing and Publishing Internships
The Undergraduate Office in the Department of English administers several internships which give students work experience in editing and publishing. These internships typically involve about eight hours of work per week. Students who undertake them are eligible for up to three hours of course credit in L498 and also eligible to apply for a small grant from the Honors Division. (Ordinarily, a student who is awarded one such grant will not be considered for a second one.) Working on such local publications as Victorian Studies, Magazine of History, Africa Today, Indiana Review, Journal of American History, Semiotica, and the Organization of American Historians Newsletter, the intern gains experience in all aspects of magazine production, including proof reading, marking copy, editing and communicating with authors. Students wishing more information should contact the English Undergraduate Office (Ballantine 442, 855-9532).
C. Administrative Internships
The Indiana University Writers' Conference provides an opportunity for students to assist in the administration of this summer program. Interns, who are eligible for up to three hours of course credit in L498, assist in preparing for and in running the summer conference. Duties range from graphics work to filing to making housing arrangements to writing news stories to planning and executing supplementary programs. An opening announcement normally is distributed in January for this spring/summer internship.
D. Professional Practice Internships
Internships in Professional Practice offered by the English Department enable students to receive academic credit toward the baccalaureate degree for work experience. The Professional Practice Program in English provides English majors with unique opportunities for exploring the relevance of humanistic study to the practical world of work. Supervised career-related work experience in a cooperating institution, agency or business helps students to define their career goals, to develop confidence in themselves as professionals, and to prepare for the job market. Evaluation is made by the employer and the English Department. Credits, received under English Y398, do not count toward distribution or English requirements. Students interested in either a summer internship or a semester of such off-campus experience should first consult the Arts and Sciences Placement Office, 625 N. Jordan (855-8208), at least six months in advance. Questions about credit should be brought to the Director of Undergraduate English.
E. State and Federal Government Internships
Students can earn college credit and gain first-hand political experience by serving as interns with either Democratic or Republican staffs in the Indiana General Assembly or in Washington,ÿD.C. Interns typically answer letters from constituents, prepare mailings for legislators, do public relations work, and research pending legislation. State legislative internships are served during the spring semester; applications are due in the previous September. Washington internships are available both semesters, but the greatest number are available during the summer. Students who have at least l5 hours of political science credit or who are double majors in English and Political Science may earn credit for this field experience by keeping a journal, writing a paper, and giving an oral report to a faculty sponsor in Political Science. For other credit options, application forms, and more information, contact the Advisor in English or in Political Science.
F. Volunteer Students Bureau
Located in the Indiana Memorial Union, Room 378 (855-8290), the Bureau matches student interest and skills with volunteer needs of over 50 community and campus agencies. Opportunities are available in correctional institutions, day-care centers, senior citizen programs, youth programs, state hospitals, mental and physical health programs, and administration of the Volunteer Service Bureau itself.
G. Teaching Opportunities in Other Cultural Contexts
Located in the Education Building, 7th and Rose Avenue, Room 1044, (856-8507), the office coordinates student teaching internships in a variety of cultural contexts, including an American Indian reservation and locations overseas such as England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan.
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