Experiences & Opportunities

1. Use your knowledge of political science to explore bigger issues.

Many of our majors—and minors—pursue College Honors or other independent research, which allows you to apply what you learn in the classroom to hands-on, real-world situations. To support your research, Knox offers a Power of Experience Grant of up to $2,000 for research, internships, community service, or study abroad.

Here are a few the recent research projects undertaken by political science students:

• "Inferring Public Opinion in 140 Characters or Less: Methodological and Theoretical Improvements on the Use of Twitter to Measure Public Attitudes." Anna Novikova '13.
• "To Never Allow Others to Define Me," Helen Avery Schnoes '11.
• “Creativity in Life: Art and Ingenuity in D.C.’s Homelessness Community” Adam Al Sirgany ‘11.

2. Study political science from a cross cultural perspective.

Knox has plenty of ways to study political science cross culturally and in action with the variety of off campus programs. Learn about strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the people of the Middle East and North Africa in Jordan: Area & Arabic Language Studies (Amideast), or take a closer look at American politics through the Washington Semester, where you attend classes and intern in DC.

3. Put your knowledge into practice through an internship.

Recent internships in political science have included: Illinois General Assembly, Legislative Research Unit; Project Vote Smart; U.S. Senate; NATO, Brussels; International Red Cross; Illinois Democratic Party; Illinois Republican Party; Illinois Board of Higher Education; AIPAC; Illinois State's Attorney Office; and Knox County Court-Appointed Special Advocate's Office.

A few recent internships by political science students include:

• Intern, White House Council of Economic Advisors, Charlie Harned '16. 
• Summer Journalism Intern, The National Press Club, Washington, DC, Casey Mendoza '16. 
• Intern, Prairie State Legal Services, Peoria, IL. Rachael Morrissey '16. 
• Campus Organizer, Illinois Student PIRGs, Galesburg, IL, Maureen Herbert '15.
• Intern, U.S. Supreme Court, Charlotte Young '13.