International Relations Internship

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

Entry into the Master of International Relations.

Students are required to apply for and intersnship in the semester prior to enrolment. Application form: http://www.ssps.unimelb.edu.au/study/internships/postgraduate_application

It is advised that students express interest directly to the Internships coordinator prior to the application process.

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

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/

In this subject students will be placed in an organisation which either analyses or formulates and implements policy in relation to international affairs. The range of organisations relevant to the internship is broad: international organisations, government departments, non-government organisations (including church-based aid agencies), academic and analytical think tanks. Interns will work under the supervision and guidance of a senior manager within these organisations. Students will be provided with advice by the Subject Coordinator on potential organisations to contact, but will also be required to use their own networks; their choice will then need to be ratified by the Subject Coordinator. Students will carry out research or analytical exercises of relevance to the organisation’s international affairs-related work. Students will also observe the structure, culture and policy environment of the organisation and develop advanced analytical, research and report-writing skills; as well as negotiating and interpersonal skills. Students completing this course should expect to acquire significant insight into the complexities of international relations and associated policy making and management activities. During the internship an academic supervisor will advise them.

On completion of this subject students should:

• demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied;
• have developed the analystical skills to evaluate the core issues of the subject;
• have an awareness of the contemporary theoretical debates in the subject area;
• demonstrate an ability to undertake critical independent research;
• show a good capacity to communicate research in written form.

A report or professional portfolio of 8,000 words (80%) due in the examination period, and a reflective essay of 2,000 words (20%) due in the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: A mid-semester progress report, and a supervisor assessment.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students 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 organisation reports;
• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgments and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through report writing, workplace discussion and presentations;
• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through report and workplace discussion;
• be able to manage workloads with regard to recommended reading and the completion of organization reports;
• be able to participate in team work through involvement in workplace placements.

Students must lodge their intention to enrol in the International Relations Internship to the subject coordinator during the semester prior to enrolment, by completing an online application form: http://www.ssps.unimelb.edu.au/study/internships/postgraduate_application (also available from the Social and Political Sciences website).