Professional Practice and Internship (DPSS30010)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)

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Overview

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This subject will enable students to apply and extend the knowledge acquired through the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production). It offers students the opportunity to gain real life professional experience and extend their own professional network.

Students complete a 120-hour industry internship (placement). The placement is complemented by sessions designed to develop employability skills and attributes, linking them to industry expectations.

On completion of the subject, students will have enhanced communication and interpersonal skills, and an understanding of career planning and professional development.

Placement

Students are required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of industry placement with an approved external partner/s (organisation or individual practitioner) related to their specialist area within the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production). The placement should draw on specialisation-based skills learnt in their course. Students will work across a range of tasks relevant to the external partner's objectives in discussion with the host organisation or individual practitioner and the Subject Coordinator.

Students are responsible for identifying a suitable placement prior to the start of the year with support from the Subject Coordinator or delegated supervisor. All placements must be approved by the Subject Coordinator.

Academic support and supervision are provided by the Subject Coordinator or delegated supervisor. Prior to semester commencing, the Subject Coordinator will provide support with industry relations, legal agreements, and communications. Work supervision during the placement is provided by an identified manager/mentor in the host organisation or by the individual practitioner.

Travel

This subject has an industry placement component, students may choose to travel outside of Melbourne to undertake this placement.

Additional Costs

This subject may incur costs in addition to tuition fees associated with travel for the students chosen industry placement.


Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • recognise and identify production roles in the performing arts;
  • describe the structure of performing arts organisations and the roles and responsibilities of staff in an organisation;
  • relate performing arts organisations or individual practitioners to their position in the overall live performance industry;
  • review and reflect on the process and product of the internship and articulate insights into professional development gained from the experience;
  • contextualise the value of industry and professional networks and their importance to independent practice, lifelong learning and career progression;
  • produce written professional profile and business materials;
  • demonstrate employability skills and attributes, linking them to industry expectations.

Last updated: 4 March 2025