PDF reflects print version of the catalogue (beginning to East Asian Languages and Cultures)Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics
Von KleinSmid Center 263
(213) 740-8964
FAX: (213) 740-3167
Email: unruhins@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/unruh
Director: Alison Dundes Renteln, Ph.D.
Associate Director: Jennifer Cichocki
The Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics sponsors events designed to introduce students to the world of practical politics. Each semester, the institute offers intern positions with government, political and advocacy offices in the Los Angeles metropolitan area and beyond. The institute also sponsors a lecture series that brings prominent political and governmental leaders to USC to speak to small groups of students in an informal setting. In the spring, the institute organizes a seminar in Sacramento at which students from colleges and universities throughout California meet with legislators, lobbyists and members of the media to discuss important issues in state politics.
Political Student Assembly
The Unruh Institute of Politics works closely with the Political Student Assembly (PSA). PSA was formed in January 2006 as a division of the Student Affairs Program Board and seeks to actively involve students in campus, state and national political issues. A student-run organization, the PSA strives to raise political awareness and inspire active involvement in contemporary political processes. PSA serves as an umbrella organization for many of the campus student groups that consider themselves politically oriented. Although members may hold strong political views, PSA is a non-partisan organization that is concerned with promoting civic-engagement, rather than a particular political viewpoint.
Directed Government and Political Leadership Internship
Students volunteer to work in one of over 500 political and governmental offices throughout the Los Angeles area, in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C., enabling them to gain firsthand political experience. As interns, students acquire basic political understanding and skills in government, campaign, media, legal or advocacy organizations. Through their assignments, students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the many ways in which people are important to politics and politics to people.By gaining hands-on experience in government and politics, student interns develop real-world political and job skills to assist them in their future careers. Many talented interns are fortunate enough to secure full-time employment based upon their internship experience.
Students enroll in POSC 395 Directed Governmental and Political Leadership Internship, for two to eight units. Students can enroll in POSC 395 during the fall, spring or summer. In the summer, students can apply for institute-sponsored fellowships to help defray tuition and living expenses.
Unruh Undergraduate Scholars
Each semester, the institute accepts a select number of undergraduates to work closely with a faculty member in the Political Science Department on a research project. These students, known as Unruh Undergraduate Scholars, must be nominated by a faculty member to participate in this program. The program provides students with knowledge and research skills that will assist them in future careers in politics and government. At the end of the semester, fellows present their research at a special seminar.Students enroll in POSC 490x Directed Research for four units.