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Public Affairs Internship (POLS30003)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 25Off Campus
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
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 - Off Campus Semester 2 - Off Campus |
---|---|
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: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MULT20003 | Critical Analytical Skills | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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:
Applications will be reviewed in two rounds:
Round 1 (Semester 1 availability): closing 31 October
Round 2 (Semester 2 availability): closing 31 May
Students should make this application via the online application form:
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:
*Late applications will be considered in both semesters if you meet the eligibility requirements and have secured a placement except in the event of the quota subject places reaching capacity. Please contact Experiential Learning Officer if you’re submitting a late application form:
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MULT20014 | Community Volunteering - Global | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
MULT30021 | Community Volunteering - Global | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
POLS30001 | Parliamentary Internship | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
SOCI30005 | Sociology Internship |
Semester 1 (Off Campus)
Semester 2 (Off Campus)
|
25 |
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Organisational Analysis
| During placement hours | 25% |
Reflective Essay
| During the examination period | 25% |
Portfolio or Research Report
| During the examination period | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Students are required to submit the mid-semester progress report and a supervisor assessment report | N/A | |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend all seminars in order to pass this subject. Regular participation in seminars is required. | During the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
- 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: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Off Campus
Principal coordinator Ali Reza Yunespour Mode of delivery Off Campus 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 27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 23 June 2023 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2 - Off Campus
Principal coordinator Ali Reza Yunespour Mode of delivery Off Campus 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 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 340 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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
Last updated: 31 January 2024