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Public Affairs Internship (POLS30003)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 25Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 - Online Semester 2 - Online |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
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.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Apply disciplinary knowledge in the context of being placed at a host organisation and being immersed in its culture;
- Demonstrate well-developed analytical, research and writing skills;
- Demonstrate practical and professional skills and ethics enabling the provision of future consultancy-type research services;
- Demonstrate high-level interpersonal, written and oral skills developed through interaction in various contexts and with a range of people.
Generic skills
- Flexibility, adaptability, time management and organisational skills as a result of participation in the workplace;
- Ability to communicate effectively in a professional workplace and to work with and interact with a wide range of people inside and outside their host organisations, including working in teams;
- Understanding of organisational culture and ethics, safe work practices, and the diversity of workplaces;
- Analytical, problem-solving, research, and report-writing skills;
- Capacity for lifelong learning, self-reliance and professional development.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MULT20003 | Critical Analytical Skills | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
There is also a quota selection process with special eligibility criteria that students must meet to gain a place in this subject (see Additional Delivery Details for more information on the quota places available).
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MULT20014 | Community Volunteering - Global |
June (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MULT30021 | Community Volunteering - Global | June (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POLS30001 | Parliamentary Internship | Semester 1 (Online) |
25 |
SOCI30005 | Sociology Internship |
Semester 2 (Online)
Semester 1 (Online)
|
25 |
POLS30002 Public Affairs Internship (Int.Students)
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies Levels 1 & 2
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 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 marks per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Online
Principal coordinator Ali Reza Yunespour Mode of delivery Online Contact hours A pre-placement induction seminar (2 hours) and a mid-semester catch up seminar (2 hours) delivered online. Other hours to be determined in consultation with host supervisor(s) and subject coordinator. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2 - Online
Principal coordinator Ali Reza Yunespour Mode of delivery Online Contact hours A pre-placement induction seminar (2 hours) and a mid-semester catch up seminar (2 hours) delivered online. Other hours to be determined in consultation with host supervisor(s) and subject coordinator. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 August 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 340 hours
Additional delivery details
There is a quota of 40 for this subject, and students are required to apply for permission to enrol into this subject prior to commencement of the internship.
Criteria for applying:
Students must be admitted in the Bachelor of Arts, Politics & International Studies Major or Graduate Diploma in Arts, Specialisation in Politics & International Studies.
At the time of application: Students must be undertaking a Major or a Specialisation in Politics and International Studies and will have completed 12.5 points at Level 1 in Politics and International Studies, and 25 points at Level 2 in Politics and International Studies. Students must also have completed Critical Analytical Skills - MULT20003 before undertaking this internship subject.
The WAM of the above four subjects will be taken into consideration when assessing student applications. All students should have at least a WAM of 70. If students completed more than required points at that year level, the highest marks will be calculated for the WAM.
Making the application:
Students should make this application via the online application form:
Application Form
Applications will be reviewed in three rounds:
Round 1 (Semester 1 availability): closing 31 October
Round 2 (Semester 1 availability): closing 31 January
Round 3 (Semester 2 availability): closing 31 May
Outcome:
Applications will be processed within a week of results release date for the semester prior to the semester in which the intership undertaken. For further information including FAQS on the Quota, Application and Selection Process see:
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Off-campus study
This subject has a workplace component
Students will only be permitted to take one Politics and International Studies Internship as part of a BA or the GD-ARTS. POLS30003 Public Affairs Internship is not available as a Breadth subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Politics and International Studies - Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022