166-013 Parliamentary Internship

Students will only be permitted to take one Political Science Internship as part of a BA. Applications are made as part of the normal enrolment process in the semester prior to the one in which the internship is to occur. This subject has a quota of 15 students per semester. The relevant quota permission form must be lodged at the Faculty of Arts Office before enrolling.

Usually 25 points of second/third-year politics.

In this subject students will have active experience working for a Member of Parliament in the settings of Parliament, the Parliamentary Library, Parliamentary Offices and electorate offices. Each student will complete a research project for the Member of Parliament on a topic of concern and interest to the MP. Academic supervision and support is provided by the School. Students have the benefit of developing their research and interpersonal skills while learning about the representative role of MPs and Parliament and their tasks of policy making and enacting legislation. Students who complete this subject should have an understanding of the Parliament and the role of an MP; have well-developed analytical, research, interviewing and report-writing skills; have practical skills enabling the provision of consultancy-type research services and have high-level interpersonal skills developed through interaction with a range of people including MPs.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, syndicate group discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge economically through essay writing and syndicate group discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for the completion of essays;

• be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.

A research report of 6000 words worth 80% (due during the examination period) and a reflective essay of 2000 words worth 20% (due during the examination period).