Engaged Learning in Political Science
The Engaged Learning Distribution List (EL DL)
The EL DL is part of the College of Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum for both Political Science and International Studies majors. The EL DL includes nearly 60 unique courses from which students can choose, including nearly 10 courses offered in Political Science. For Political Science majors and minors, these courses would fulfill not only the Core requirement but would also count toward your major or minor hours. (International Studies majors and minors should consult with Dr. Hamerly, Director of IST for which of these courses may also count toward your major or minor).
Political Science Engaged Learning Courses:
- PSC 2306 Texas Civic Engagement & Politics in Action
Pre-requisite(s): PSC 1305 or PSC 1387
Develop issue specific knowledge about the Texas political and policy landscape of your choice through a semester-long project driven course that culminates with the real-world implementation of your group’s engagement plan in the halls of the Texas state capitol during the biennial legislative session.
- PSC 3372 Law, Justice and the Community
Cross-listed as CCS 3372, PPS 3372
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
Introduction to legal practice. Contains community service component and required internship in legal offices.
- PSC 3375 Model United Nations
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
An overview of the principal organs, related organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations system, including research into the work of specific committees that Baylor’s Model UN team will simulate at national and local conferences. Includes an engaged learning component such as a community Model UN for local schools or applied research for a UN agency or NGO. May be taken twice.
- PSC 3382 Public Service Internship
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of program director
Research and seminars supplemented by fieldwork in a regional federal agency, in a state or local governmental agency, or in a not-for-profit agency.
- PSC 3392 Washington Internship
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of program director
Research and seminars which will usually include attendance at a seminar held in Washington, DC. Also required is regularly scheduled fieldwork in a governmental or not-for-profit agency located in Washington.
- PSC 3698 Bob Bullock Internship
Selection as a Bullock Scholar and research in the Texas Legislature or Executive Branch as part of the Bob Bullock Scholars program.
- PSC 3992 Baylor in Washington Semester Internship
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Research, professional development workshops, and seminars supplemented by regularly scheduled fieldwork in a political, policy, or legal office located in Washington, DC.
- PSC 4330 Urban Political Processes
Cross-listed as ENV 4330
Political institutions and processes in metropolitan areas, including social, economic, and governmental problems resulting from increased urbanization. Students will also apply this knowledge in engaged learning projects.
- PSC 4V89 Advanced Model Organization of American States (1-3)
Cross-listed as HIS 4V89, LAS 4V89
Pre-requisite(s): HIS 2V89
Course prepares advanced students for leadership roles in a Model Organization of American States simulation. May be repeated for a total of six credit hours under different topics.
Study Abroad Opportunities
Political Science and International Studies majors are encouraged to study abroad! You will find a complete list of study abroad opportunities on the Center for Global Engagement’s Study Abroad website. Many of these programs offer courses that will count toward the PSC and IST major requirements.
Study Abroad Scholarships
For financial support with study abroad, visit the Global Engagement scholarships page. In particular, IST majors should note The Heather Leann Dunnam Scholarship, which provides funds to help International Studies majors study abroad. Recipients are chosen based on academic merit and financial need. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Click here to access the Dunham Scholarship Application.
Internships
Internships are a fantastic way to gain professional experience while you are a student at Baylor. Political Science and International Studies students have many opportunities to intern, including locally in Waco, at the state level in Austin, and nationally in Washington, D.C. On the PSC and IST Canvas pages, which are accessible to currently enrolled PSC and IST majors and minors, you will find more information about internships organized by internship opportunities for which you can earn course credit and funded internship opportunities.
Intern and Earn Course Credit
Students have the option to earn PSC class credit through the following internship programs.
Intern in Waco
Intern here in Waco during the semester at a government office or non-profit and earn course credit through the PSC 3382 Public Service Internship course, or intern at a law office and earn course credit through the PSC 3372 Law, Justice, and the Community course.
Intern in Austin, TX
Intern full-time in Austin for a Texas House or Senate office during the legislative session (January-May of odd-numbered years) while remaining a full-time Baylor student through the Bob Bullock Scholars and Texas Legislative Internship Programs .
Intern in Washington, D.C.
- Baylor in Washington Semester Program (Washington, D.C.)
Intern full-time in Washington, D.C. during the fall or spring semester. For information about typical internships, credits and coursework completed, program costs, housing, professional development opportunities, visit the Baylor in Washington website.
- Baylor Political Science Department Summer Internship Program & Mayborn Scholarship (Washington, D.C.)
Intern during the summer in Washington, DC! Examples of internship sites include congressional offices, executive agencies, interest groups, advocacy organizations, lobbying firms, and think tanks. To apply, visit the Summer Internship Program website.
Intern opportunities - flexible locations
Intern during the summer at a location that works best for you and earn 0-3 credits through the 2V90 Political Science Summer Internship course. Note: if you enroll in 1-3 credits, you will be charged summer tuition.
Funded Summer Internship Opportunities (Non-credit bearing)
In addition to the opportunities above to intern while also receiving course credit, there are several Baylor University-sponsored summer internship programs that come with stipends to help students with living expenses.
- Baylor Office of Engaged Learning Summer Fellows Program (various locations)
The Office of Engaged Learning offers funded opportunities for Baylor undergraduate students who work in internships and research experiences that promote the public good. For more information, visit the Engaged Learning Website.
- Summer Fellowship for Religion & Social Life (Washington, D.C.)
This is a two-month intensive summer program for students to explore the social benefits of religious communities while undergoing intentional spiritual formation as well as professional development for a life of service and leadership. Students spend 15-20 hours per week in seminars and spiritual formation and intern part-time for an additional 20 hours per week during the duration of the program. For more information, visit the program website.
Sharpen your Research Skills
Many undergraduate Political Science courses include research assignments, especially those at the 3000 and 4000 level. Students are especially encouraged to consider taking PSC 2301 Research Writing: Political Science Methods, which introduces students to basic political science research and writing methods. As an added bonus, the course fulfills the College of Arts & Sciences Research Writing Distribution List requirement.
Find Research Opportunities
All students are encouraged to begin their search by creating a profile on ForagerOne, Baylor University’s research matching software platform. It takes only a few minutes to create a profile and indicate research interests. Having a profile on ForagerOne is beneficial because not only can you find faculty with available research projects, but also faculty members with projects can find and match with you.
Earn Course Credit for Research
Once you have matched with a faculty mentor, you have the option to pursue earning course credits for your research. The courses are PSC 1V9R, 2V9R, 3V9R, and 4V9R, and you may earn a maximum of six total credit hours for these courses. To enroll in these courses, your faculty mentor should reach out the PSC Office Manager, Lauren Mayfield, during the early registration period (April for the fall semester and November for the spring semester) to arrange enrollment. To help faculty members determine which course number is most appropriate and how many hours a student might learn, consult this guide developed by the Office of Engaged Learning.
Apply for Research Funding
Students and their faculty mentors are encouraged to apply for an URSA Grant. The Office of Engaged Learning Website provides detailed information about the application process for URSA Grants, including helpful guides that walk you through the application and reporting process.
Present your Research
Each academic year the Office of Engaged Learning hosts Baylor Student Research Week. Students are encouraged to pursue this opportunity to present their research, including both research conducted with a faculty mentor and research pursued independently, including research developed in classes.
Major Fellowships and Awards
Different from the need-based or merit scholarships and grants that provide tuition support for your undergraduate education, the fellowships and awards that the Office of Engaged learning can help Baylor students discover and bid toward are funded by external sources such as government agencies and foundations that support a specific mission. These fellowships and awards are competitive at the national and international level and tend to be highly prestigious, offering recipients the opportunities of a lifetime, sometimes even a "golden ticket" to their ambitions, including funding graduate education.
Baylor PSC and IST majors have been successful at winning major fellowships and awards including those that fund post-graduate training. Examples of particular awards that PSC and IST students should explore include:
- Boren Awards
- Critical Language Scholarship
- Gilman International Scholarship
- Fulbright Awards
- Marshall Scholarship
- Mitchell Scholarship
- Schwarzman Scholarship
- Truman Scholarship
The application process for many of these awards begins a full year in advance of the deadline. Students are encouraged to begin exploring these awards during their first and second year at Baylor.
Office of Engaged Learning Resources
The Office of Engaged Learning serves all Baylor students—undergraduates and graduate students—as well as Baylor alumni. If the thought of pursuing a nationally or internationally competitive fellowship or award sounds interesting to you, the OEL can provide:
- Assistance in determining which awards might be right for you
- Pathways toward excellence in the kinds of activities that will make you competitive
- General guidance on application processes
- Writing consultation and feedback for application materials and essays
- Access to alumni networks
- Informational sessions and writing workshops
- Assistance in obtaining letters of recommendation and university endorsement letters
- Financial support for travel to selection interviews
- Pre-departure support and resources once you've won
Leadership Programs
The Office of Engaged learning offers two structured mentorship in programs, the Vardaman Scholars and Provost's Scholars programs, designed to foster Baylor University's mission to educate our students for "worldwide leadership and service.” In these programs, students are provided opportunities to cultivate ways of thinking, being, living, imagining, and leading that help to usher in a greater good—for both their communities and the world at large.