International Internship

Subject DEVT90008 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Regular contact with subject co-ordinator throughout semester, 150 contact hours during internship placement, plus a one-day group presentation workshop to be held in the second last week of semester
Total Time Commitment: An average of 14 hours each week
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Students enrolling in this subject must have a Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent.
Non Allowed Subjects: None.
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 Violeta Schubert

violetas@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

International Internship is an elective (25 credit points) available to Masters level students in Development and various cognate disciplines and fields of study. It provides students with the opportunity to gain exposure to a different cultural, socio-political and organisational context and to think critically about the nature of the relationship between 'theory' and 'practice' in Development or their related field of study. The broad aim of the internship program is thus to provide the opportunity for graduate students to gain invaluable practical experience and to build their individual 'industry' networks in order to facilitate a better understanding of the nature and expectations of work in their chosen field or area of interest. Students are able to select a host organisation to further enhance their knowledge and skills in their chosen area of interest and to make a positive contribution to the host organisation by applying their previous experience, skills and knowledge learnt through study, being able to work independently as well as within a team, produce the highest quality written work. Approval for international internship is based on the enthusiasm and commitment of students and ability to illustrate that they are able to act with flexibility, maturity, integrity and gender and cultural sensitivity.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • understand the goals and manner of operation of one international development agency.
  • recognise the relationship between theoretical understandings of development and practical development work on the ground.
  • be practised in "doing" development in a non-Australian cultural context.
Assessment: Assessment by supervisors in the host organisation equivalent 3000 words 30% (during semester). oral presentation followed by a written presentation, equivalent to 1000-1500 words 20% (during semester). and a 5000 word essay 50% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts:

Appropriate texts will be determined in consultation with the internship coordinator
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • be able to write critical evaluations of the work of a development agency.
  • be able to work within international organisations.
  • apply theoretical knowledge to practical day to day decision making.
  • be able to conduct policy-related research, write policy proposals, design development projects, evaluate projects.
  • be capable of working in a cross-cultural context.
Links to further information: http://www.ssps.unimelb.edu.au/study/ads/
Related Course(s): Master of Development Studies (Gender & Development)
Master of Development Studies(CWT)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Development

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