American Studies: Internships

General Principles and Guidelines

We recognize that there can be real value to integrating the theory of your academic studies with the practice of real-world experience, or in learning more about a prospective vocation through an internship. We therefore offer AMST 496 as a variable credit course every semester (including summer).

AMST 496 is, however, a permission-only course, and you must apply in writing to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). We do not maintain an archive of resources for finding available internships, so it is up to you to find and contact the institution or business at which you wish to intern. Please be aware that some employers exploit interns badly; we will not accept applications where the job description consists entirely of low-level, mundane tasks with no teaching component or those where a job has been re-labeled an internship simply to gain academic credit.(however, paid internships are acceptable). We will not accept applications for internships on the Emory campus or for projects for Volunteer Emory or other student organizations. Nor will we accept “virtual” internships, where you, for example, build a website for someone from your dorm room. The whole idea is to get you out of the Emory bubble and into the real world to advance and enrich your education.

Application Procedures

If the general idea of an internship appeals to you, it is time to have a conference with your advisor or the DUS about the kinds of institutions or programs you might want to consider. But, again, we do not keep any kind of formal archive of available internships.

If you have a specific program in mind, you may pick up an application to AMST 496 from the ILA/American Studies office (Callaway South S415).

Deadlines

Applications should be completed on the following schedule:

For Fall: By the end of classes the previous Spring Semester

For Summer: By the end of classes the previous Spring Semester

For Spring: By the end of classes in the previous Fall Semester

We do understand that sometimes opportunities come up at the last minute. In such cases, an application must be initiated no later than the first day of classes that semester. AMST 496 must be registered for like any other academic class at Emory. We do not give retroactive credit; the internship must be performed entirely in the semester(s) in which you are enrolled in the course.

Variable Credit

You may register for anything from 1-6 credits for your internship. We use the following calculus: 1 credit for each 2 hours you spend on site. So, if you want 4.0 credits, you should spend at least 8 hours each week at your internship (excluding travel time). You may repeat the internship course, but you cannot earn more than 6 credits total in your entire time at Emory. Many programs require that you earn at least 1 academic credit during an internship, so you should hold some credits in reserve if you think you want to extend an internship or try more than one.

Description of Project

Tell us in detail what your position entails, and how much of your time will be devoted to each kind of task. This description can also be a protection for you in case your supervisor begins to assign you only mindless tasks or fails to help you learn the ropes as a valued apprentice in that field.

Applicability to Your Academic Program

Explain how this internship enriches or stretches the kind of knowledge you have acquired thus far in college. AMST majors should indicate whether they wish the internship to be considered as a core course, and why. If you are using the internship to preview a field you are considering as a career, please explain how the internship will help you do so.

Means of Evaluation

We strongly urge you to take this course S/U. Past interns have said that part of the value of the internship is getting away from the grading system while undertaking something that really matters to you. If you take the course S/U, you will keep a journal, making entries at a rate of about 325-400 words per week for a 4-credit internship. Entries should be of two types: first, descriptions and anecdotes of the general goings-on at the site and of your specific tasks and projects, and second, reflections on how the experience does or does not match up with your academic learning. You will turn in the internship once in the sixth week of the semester, and then again at the beginning of the last full week of classes. (Typed journals are preferred).

To take the course for a grade, you must keep a journal and, in addition, you must write an academic research paper pertaining to the subject or field of your internship (the length should be at least six pages for each credit). You must also secure written assurance from an Emory faculty member that she or he is willing to advise the project and to grade the paper. In all cases, grades must be submitted to the DUS by the last day of classes.

All interns, must, in addition, arrange for your supervisor to write a brief letter of evaluation to be sent directly to the DUS. It is due on the last day of classes.

Signatures

Before submitting the application to the DUS, you need to obtain the signature of your prospective internship supervisor. You must also obtain the signature of your regular academic advisor. This last is especially important for non-majors, as it assures us that you are proceeding normally through your major and general education requirements and have room in your schedule for this elective course.

Conference

You should make an appointment with the DUS, and bring your completed application to that meeting. Of course, you may also consult with the DUS before or while you are filling out the application.

Registration Procedures

Once your application is approved and signed by the DUS, you can obtain a permission number.