Contemporary Chinese Studies Internship (CHIN90007)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Off Campus
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Associate Professor Anthony Spires: anthony.spires@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Off Campus |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will enable students to undertake approximately 200 hours of professional work experience with an industry partner, co-designing the experience with the university and the industry partner. Students are supported to be placed in an organisation which analyses, formulates and/ or implements programs, policies, commercial and other activities in relation to contemporary Chinese societies. The range of organisations relevant to the internship is broad: international organisations, for-profit companies, government departments, non-governmental organisations (including church-based aid agencies), academic and analytical think tanks, and organisations in the broader social economy. Interns will work under the supervision and guidance of a supervisor within these organisations.
Students will be provided with advice by the Subject Coordinator on how to approach and secure potential organisations; their choice will then need to be ratified by the Subject Coordinator. Students should only be enrolled in the subject if they have secured a professional work placement which has been approved by the Subject Coordinator. Students will carry out research, operational, or analytical exercises of relevance to the organisation’s Chinese societies-related work. Students will also observe the structure, culture and policy environment of the organisation and develop advanced analytical, research and report-writing skills, operational skills, and interpersonal skills. Students completing this subject should expect to acquire significant insight into the complexities of Chinese societies and associated programmatic activities. During the internship an academic supervisor will supervise them. If primary research is carried out during the internship, ethics approval will need to be sought.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the organisation in which they are placed and of its activities, approaches and context
- Have developed the analytical skills to evaluate the core issues of the topic area relevant to the organisation
- Have an awareness of the contemporary theoretical debates in the topic area relevant to the organisation area
- Demonstrate an ability to undertake critical independent research if required by host organisation
- Show a capacity to communicate research in written and oral form.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgments and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through report writing, workplace discussion and presentations
- Communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through report and workplace discussion
- Manage workloads with regard to recommended reading and the completion of organisation reports
- Participate in team work through involvement in workplace placements.
Last updated: 27 February 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the Master of Contemporary Chinese Studies program is a prerequisite for enrolling into this subject.
Please note: Students should complete this subject in the final semester of their degree, or should have completed a minimum of 100 points in their degree.
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:
https://artsunimelb.formstack.com/forms/internship_application
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:
https://arts.unimelb.edu.au/students/experiential-learning#faqs
Admission into the MC-CONTCS Master of Contemporary Chinese Studies
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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
Last updated: 27 February 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Reflective essay
| Week 7 | 20% |
Professional Portfolio/Report
| During the examination period | 80% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: Students must attend 80% of scheduled internship hours. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance of all classes. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 3. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 4. Students must submit a Progress Report in Week 4 of the placement | Week 4 of placement | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 5. Students must submit a Supervisor Assessment Form in the last week of their placement | Last week of placement | N/A |
Last updated: 27 February 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2 - Off Campus
Coordinator Anthony Spires Mode of delivery Off Campus Contact hours One two-hour seminar session (onboarding for students starting placement before semester begins). Three two-hour seminars in first 6 weeks One check-in group session (two-hour seminar) in weeks 8-10. Two One-on-One Preparatory and Supervisory Meetings (two one-hour meetings for each student in Weeks 3-7) Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Associate Professor Anthony Spires: anthony.spires@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Approximately 200 hours of professional work experience at an industry partner's premise.
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: 27 February 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
Last updated: 27 February 2025