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POLITICS 774: Politics-Policy Internship

SEMESTER 2, 2019

30 points

 
Course Convenors: 

 Jennifer Curtin - j.curtin@auckland.ac.nz;

Tim Fadgen - Timothy.Fadgen@auckland.ac.nz

 Summary of Course Description:              

This is a course for outstanding students undertaking postgraduate study in Honours and Masters programmes in Public Policy, Politics and International Relations. The course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply their in-class knowledge in a professional out-of-classroom environment. It will also present a unique opportunity for participating organisations to obtain a project report on a political or policy issue on a topic of interest to them.

The aim of the course is to provide opportunities and to improve students’ understanding of politics and policy-making. It also presents an excellent opportunity to translate academic writing skills into report writing skills for a professional environment.

 Course outcomes:

By successfully completing this course students will have developed the following: 

  • A comprehensive understanding of the role of their host organisation
  • A critical understanding of relevant political institutions, evaluation and advocacy work and the policy-making environment
  • Analytical and report writing skills
  • Practical skills related to the provision of consultancy-type services
  • Interpersonal skills through interaction with a range of people both within and external to their host institution appropriate to future professional employment
  • Time management, organisational and problem solving skills
  • An awareness of ethical issues regarding expert advice and reporting

 Key dates:

Week 1 – Thursday, 25 July 9-11am: Introduction in-class session. Spend at least a
half-day at your organisation this week for placement induction.
Week 2 – Thursday 1 August 9-11am – In-class session on project management and
research design. Intern at placement organisation one day this week.
Week 3 – 5-9 August – Peer group meetings; No in-class seminar. One day at placement organisation;
Week 4 – Thursday 15 August - In-class session on communicating research and
problem-solving (9-11am); at placement one day this week
Internship Agreement Form delivered to Programme Coordinator this week
Week 5 – 19th- 23 August: Peer group meetings; No in-class seminar Intern at placement organisation one day. 
Week 6 – Thursday 29 August: All interns attend in-class session on report
writing and reflective essays (9-11am). One day in workplace.
University mid-semester break (31 August-15 September inclusive).
Week 7 – Thursday 19 September: Drop-in session 10-11am; Peer group meetings: No in-class seminar Intern at placement organisation one day.
Week 8 – 23-27 September: Peer group meetings, No in-class seminar Intern at placement organisation one day. 
Week 9 – Thursday 3 October: In-class presentations (Class will run from 9-12 if
required). One day in workplace
Week 10 – 7-11 October: Peer group meetings, No in-class seminar Intern at placement organisation one
day. 
Week 11 – 14th-18th October: Peer group meetings; No in-class seminar Intern at placement organisation one day. 
Week 12 – Thursday 24 October (Note different time 12-2pm): In-class wrap up
followed by light lunch. Placement supervisors invited to join us.
Friday 25 October - Hand in project report and reflective essay.

Coursework requirements:           

Each Intern is required to complete a series of assessments in order to gain academic credit for this course. These are as follows:

  • A project plan and reference list developed in consultation with workplace supervisor (500 words; due week 6) 10%
  • A weekly journal on lessons learned from activities in the placement organisation culminating in a reflective essay. The short journal entries should be included as an appendix to the essay, but only the reflective essay will be graded (1000 words; due week 12) 10%
  • Participation in a series of in-class activities based on readings provided in advance; participation in peer mentoring meetings (equiv 500 words) 10%
  • In-class oral presentation based on project (equiv 1000 words, week 9) 10%
  • A project report on a topic of relevance to the placement organisation, as developed in the original project plan (6,000 words, week 12) 60%

 

Course summary:

Date Details Due