WOMS 390 1-3 credit hours (may be repeated up to 6 credit hours)
The general requirements of the course are as follows:
The internship gives students the opportunity to acquire firsthand experience under the supervision of professional personnel. Also, it provides the opportunity to combine feminist theory and analysis with practice in a concrete institutional setting. Agency supervisors have general responsibility for the intern but no specific job training is expected. We hope the student has an opportunity to observe many different aspects of work and to assume responsibility insofar as this is feasible in each agency setting. This experience is usually the student’s first exposure to a professional work setting and we encourage students and agency supervisors to discuss work-related problems during the course of the internship.
A. Placement in an agency: Students may seek experience in a variety of sponsoring agencies. The agency and the student’s project must focus on a significant aspect of women’s lives or women’s status in society. Students should be given opportunities to plan, organize, and lead program activities as well as to participate and observe work in the agency. The student’s supervisor at the agency will be asked to evaluate the student’s performance.
B. Classroom work: The student intern meets with a faculty supervisor in Women’s Studies to discuss required readings, written assignments, problems of field work, as well as other issues pertinent to their activities. Meetings will also offer opportunities for analysis of work experiences and the institutional internship setting. This classroom work is part of their internship training.
C. Written requirements (The agency placement is only one aspect of this course):Students negotiate written requirements with their agency sponsor and faculty advisor, depending on the nature of the internship. However, at a minimum, all interns are expected to maintain a weekly journal recording and analyzing their experiences in the context of feminist theory and to complete a brief summary report (2-3 pages), which is to be revised and polished.
Prerequisites (undergraduates):
Grading is on S/U basis
(top)How is an Internship different from an Independent Study?
What kinds of placements have Women's Studies interns held in the past?
What do I do once I've found an internship?
What are the requirements to complete the internship?
Who do I call if I have questions?
What are the requirements to complete the internship?
The Internship Requirements are listed on the top of this page.
Who do I call if I have questions?
We are always happy to answer questions. Just call the Women’s Studies office at 815-753-1038, or email us.