PDF version of this chapterJesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics
Von KleinSmid Center 232
(213) 740-8964
FAX: (213) 740-3167
Email: unruhins@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/dept/polsci/unruh
Director: Ann N. Crigler, Ph.D.
Assistant Director: Meredith Drake Reitan, M.Pl.
The Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics conducts programs and holds events to introduce students to the world of practical politics. Each semester, the institute offers intern positions with government, political and advocacy offices and organizations in the Los Angeles metropolitan area and beyond. The institute also sponsors a Distinguished Leadership series that brings prominent political and governmental leaders to USC to lecture and to meet with small groups of students in an informal setting. In the spring, the institute organizes a student seminar in Sacramento at which students from colleges and universities throughout California meet with members of the California legislature, lobbyists and the media to discuss important issues in state politics.
Unruh Political Student Association
The Unruh Political Student Association (UPSA) consists of undergraduate and graduate students who help the institute plan and carry out its programs. UPSA members participate in inviting speakers, conducting public events, creating publicity and other informational materials about the institute and its programs, and working with alumni of the institute.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 interns have been talented and fortunate enough to secure full-time employment based upon their internship.
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 as Unruh Undergraduate Scholars. Students must be nominated by a faculty member to be selected for 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 participate in a panel discussing their research.Students enroll in POSC 490x Directed Research for four units.