This course consists of a six-week internship during January and February in the United States Congress in Washington D.C. during which time students will begin work on a research project to be completed at ANU during the first semester under the supervision of the course coordinator.

Normally, students will be assigned to the office of a member of the U.S. Congress or the office of a congressional committee. The placement will be determined before departure for Washington. The research topic will be agreed between the internship provider, the student, and the course coordinator. Students will commence work on their topic during their internship and will be required to present a 6,000 word paper on the approved research topic at the end of the first semester of the year in which the internship is taken.

The purpose of this course is to give students with a good background in American government an opportunity to experience political life in Washington, D.C. firsthand and to pursue an advanced program of study and research on a specialised aspect of American government, politics, and public policy.

Admission to this course is selective due to the limited number of placements available in any one year and the firm requirement that participating students have a sufficiently high level of knowledge and ability to enable them to perform effectively during their placement in Washington.

Students accepted for this course will be responsible for the cost of their own airfares, accommodation and other expenses. Further details are made available in the Washington Internship Information Pack published in June of each year.

Completion of Government and Politics in the USA (POLS2013A/B) at Credit-level or better.

Admission to this course is selective due to the limited number of places available on any one year. Applications for 2010 will need to be submitted by 31 July 2009.