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Public Affairs Internship (POLS30003)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 25Off Campus
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(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
Students who successfully complete this subject 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
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Develop flexibility, adaptability, time management and organisational skills as a result of participation in the workplace
- Have the 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
- Develop an understanding of organisational culture and ethics, safe work practices, and the diversity of workplaces
- Demonstrate analytical, problem-solving, research, and report-writing skills
- Have the 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 2 (Off Campus)
Semester 1 (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 |
Hurdle requirement: 2. 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 |
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 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 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 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 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