Experience of Difference Requirement

Students graduating from the Department of Politics and International Affairs are required to complete an Experience of Difference. This can be fulfilled through study abroad credit (POS 423), internship credit (POS 408), a legislative internship in the Arizona Legislature (POS 466), or undergraduate research (POS 485) for an approved project. The intention of this requirement is to have students gain a first-hand experience related to politics and international affairs that has them step out of their own lived experience and engage with a context and situation that is different and new. This will make our graduates more well-rounded and better able to contribute to and thrive in a diverse and changing world. Normally a student is only allowed to take the option of POS 485 in their senior year.

• POS 408 – Internship
• POS 423 – Study Abroad
• POS 466 – Legislative Internship
• POS 485 – Undergraduate Research

You must obtain prior written approval from a POS faculty member if you take POS 408 or POS 485.