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International Relations Internship (POLS90009)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 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 | Semester 1 - Online Semester 2 - Online |
---|---|
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
Admission into the MC-IR Master of International Relations
The selection process for this subject includes consideration of academic performance. All students need to have a GPA of 70, and be in the second half of credit points of the degree in the semester they intend to enrol (e.g. completed 100 points in the 200 program).
Permission from the internship coordinator is required. 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:
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
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
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A report or professional portfolio
| During the examination period | 80% |
A reflective essay
| During the examination period | 20% |
Hurdle requirement: A mid-semester progress report, and a supervisor assessment. Seminar attendance is compulsory for all classes and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Online
Principal coordinator Ali Reza Yunespour Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Substitute the current four pre-placement seminars with a pre-placement induction seminar (2 hours) and a mid-semester catch up seminar (2 hours). 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 Substitute the current four pre-placement seminars with a pre-placement induction seminar (2 hours) and a mid-semester catch up seminar (2 hours). 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.
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
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