International Relations Internship (POLS90009)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Summer Term
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Summer Term Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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.
If primary research is carried out during the internship, ethics approval is the responsibility of the host organisation.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied;
- have developed the analytical 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.
Generic skills
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.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
1. Entry into the Master of International Relations
2. Permission from the internship coordinator is required.
3. The selection process for this subject includes consideration of academic performance. All students need to have a GPA of 75, and be in their final 100 points of the degree in the semester they intend to enrol.
Students are required to apply for permission to enrol into this subject prior to commencement of the internship. Students should make this application via the online application form:
Application Form
Applications will be reviewed in three rounds:
Round 1 (Summer and Semester 1 availability): closing 31 October
Round 2 (Semester 1 availability): closing 31 January
Round 3 (Semester 2 availability): closing 31 May
The selection process for this subject includes consideration of academic performance in the first half of the degree.
Students will receive outcomes within two weeks of the closing date for the relevant round. For further information including FAQS on the Application and Selection Process see:
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLS90027 | International Relations Minor Thesis | No longer available |
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Students undertaking an internship with a host agency may be required to satisfy a number of requirements, including:
- undergoing a recent National Police Record Check
- holding a valid Working with Children Check for the relevant state/territory
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A report or professional portfolio of 8,000 words (80%) due in the examination period.
- A reflective essay of 2,000 words (20%) due in the examination period.
- Hurdle Requirement: A mid-semester progress report, and a supervisor assessment. Seminar attendance is compulsory for all classes and regular class participation is expected.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Summer Term
Principal coordinator Ali Reza Yunespour Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 4 seminars scheduled throughout the semester. Other hours to be determined in consultation with organisation officers and program staff. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 8 January 2019 to 22 February 2019 Last self-enrol date 17 January 2019 Census date 18 January 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 15 February 2019 Assessment period ends 2 March 2019 Summer Term contact information
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Ali Reza Yunespour Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 4 seminars scheduled throughout the semester. Other hours to be determined in consultation with organisation officers and program staff. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Ali Reza Yunespour Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 4 seminars scheduled throughout the semester. Other hours to be determined in consultation with organisation officers and program staff. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 29 July 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 9 August 2019 Census date 31 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 27 September 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 340 hours.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Off-campus study
This subject has a workplace component
Semester-long internship subject. 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.
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 3 November 2022