Washington State Legislative Internships

This program will explore the broad conditions that shape legislation. We will examine models, evidence and debates about the sources, causal connections and impacts of evolving systems of law, regulation, governance and a broad array of community response. For academic credit an Internship Learning Contract will describe how to translate important work you engage for the legislative office with which you work back to your classes. From a social science perspective, we will consider the importance of precaution and citizen right-to-know as part of public practice. We will examine debates about the relation of registered lobbyists; the sway of district constituents and the appropriate role of governors. Throughout, the internship will learn a range of approaches - guest presentation, seminar, visits and collaborations with regional officials and activists. A large part of that curriculum will be coordinated through the capitol offices. With interns from other Washington State campuses, there will be introductory sessions and a number of workshops including mock sessions; budget, lobbyist or media panels and legislative processes. Classroom activities will include an hour-and-a-half meeting every other week in which you will discuss your own experiences with fellow TESC interns. In order to receive full credit your task is to translate the pragmatic work you engage at the capitol into reflection essays. Short journal entries are expected to include descriptions and analyses when ever possible, that highlight topics and issues of interest and your impression of how activities fit your expectations and what new you may have learned.

Sample reading: Cole, Luke. (2001) Expanding Civil Rights Protections in Contested Terrain: Using Title VI Civil Rights Act of 1964 in Mutz, Kathryn M., Gary C. Bryner and Douglas S. Kenney's Justice and Natural Resources: Concepts, Strategies and Applications; Richardson, L. Writing Strategies: Reaching Diverse Audiences; Seeberger, Edward Sine Die: A Guide to the Washington State Legislative Process; Sidaway, Roger Resolving Environmental Disputes: Conflict - Consensus