The course also will continue the study of public affairs reporting, with an emphasis on state government and politics, and will serve as an ongoing seminar for students to discuss concerns and questions they may have about their internships. In addition, the course will cover placement, including such topics as resume preparation, cover letter writing, and job-hunting. There is no textbook for the course. For the first 13 weeks of the semester, class sessions will include guest experts to discuss major legislative issues. Among the topics are the 2000 election and redistricting, tax reform and budgeting, education, welfare, health care, crime and punishment, and child welfare issues.
Students are welcome to suggest other topics as warranted by legislative activity.
During the course of the semester, each student will be expected to become an expert on one or more legislative issues. Students will submit a list of at least 10 possible topics, ranked in order of preference, to the instructor by class on February 7. In compiling the lists, students might wish to consult bureau chiefs, legislators, staff members, lobbyists, or any other source familiar with the spring legislative agenda. Topics will be assigned by the instructor based wherever possible on students' preferences. Oral presentations will occur during the final four weeks of the semester, starting April 17.