Public Affairs Internship

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Total of 340 hours

Students must be undertaking a Major in Politics and International Studies and will have completed 25 points at Level 1 in Politics and International Studies, and 37.5 points at Level 2 in Politics and International Studies.

Enrolment in the BA or GD-ARTS Graduate Diploma in Arts (Politics & International Studies).

An application process applies.

Permission from the Internships coordinator is required prior to enrolling in an internship subject.

Students are required to apply for an internship placement in the semester prior to enrolment.

Application form: http://ssps.unimelb.edu.au/internship-application-form

Students will be notified about the outcome of their application after the release of the Semester results preceding the internship semester.

Politics and International Studies Levels 1 & 2

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 have active experience working for a senior person with a policy-making and / or management role in the organisation in which they are placed. The central task will be to complete a policy report or professional portfolio of relevance to the organisation. Academic support and supervision is provided by the School. Government, non-government and community-based organisations which have a public affairs focus or interest will provide placements.

If primary research is carried out during the internship, ethics approval is the responsibility of the host organisation.

On completion of this subject students should:

• Apply disciplinary knowledge in the context of being placed at a host organisation and being immersed in its culture;

• have well-developed analytical, research and writing skills;

• have practical and professional skills and ethics enabling the provision of future consultancy-type research services;

• have high-level interpersonal, written and oral skills developed through interaction in various contexts and with a range of people.

A research essay or professional portfolio of 6000 words (80%) due during the examination period.

A reflective essay of 2000 words (20%) both due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Mid-semester progress report and a supervisor assessment report. Students must attend all seminars in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in seminars is required.

Note: 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.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students will only be permitted to take one Politics and International Studies Internship as part of a BA or the GD-ARTS.

This subject has a quota of 30 students per semester.

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. The application due date is the last day of the examination period in the semester prior to intended enrolment.

Application form: http://ssps.unimelb.edu.au/internship-application-form

POLS30003 Public Affairs Internship is not available as a Breadth subject.