Parliamentary Internship

Subject POLS30001 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 25
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: To be determined in consultation with Parliamentary officers and staff
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

25 points at Level 1 in Politics and International Studies, and 37.5 points at Level 2 in Politics and International Studies.

Students are required to apply for an internship placement. Application form: http://www.ssps.unimelb.edu.au/study/internships/undergraduate_application

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Levels 1 & 2 Politics and International Studies

Non Allowed Subjects:

166-013 Parliamentary Internship

166-044 Parliamentary Internship (Int. Students)

166-043 Public Affairs Internship

166-039 Public Affairs Internship (Int. Students)

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Dr. Lea Campbell: lea.campbell@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

In this subject students will have active experience working for a Member of the Victorian Parliament in the settings of Parliament, the Parliamentary Library, Parliamentary Offices and electorate offices. Each student will complete a research project for a Member of Parliament on a topic of concern and interest to the MP. Academic supervision and support is provided by the School. Students have the benefit of developing their research and interpersonal skills while learning about the representative role of MPs and Parliament and their tasks of policy making and enacting legislation. Students who complete this subject should have an understanding of the Parliament and the role of an MP, have well-developed analytical, research, interviewing and report-writing skills, have practical skills enabling the provision of consultancy-type research services and have high-level interpersonal skills developed through interaction with a range of people including MPs.

Objectives:

Students who complete this subject should:

  • have an understanding of the Parliament and the role of a Member of Parliament.
  • have well-developed analytical, research, interviewing and report-writing skills.
  • have practical skills enabling the provision of consultancy-type research services.
  • have high-level interpersonal skills developed through interaction with a range of people including Members of Parliament.
Assessment:

A research report of 6000 words (80%) due during the examination period, and a reflective essay of 2000 words (20%) due during the examination period.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

none

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who complete this subject should:

  • be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of research reports.
  • be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through report writing, syndicate group discussion and presentations.
  • be able to communicate knowledge economically through report writing and syndicate group discussion.
  • be able to manage and organise workloads for the completion of reports.
  • be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.
Notes:

Students will only be permitted to take one Politics and International Studies Internship as part of a BA. Applications are made online through the School of Social and Political Sciences in the semester prior to the one in which the internship is to occur. This subject has a quota of 15 students per semester.

Application form: http://www.ssps.unimelb.edu.au/study/internships/undergraduate_application

POLS30001 Parliamentary Internship is not available as a Breadth subject.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Political Science Major
Politics and International Studies
Politics and International Studies

Download PDF version.