166-043 Public Affairs Internship

Students will only be permitted to take one political science internship as part of a BA. This subject has a quota of 30 students per semester.

Usually 25 points of second/third-year politics.

In this subject students will have active experience working for a senior person with a policy-making and management role in a local government, non-government or community-based organisation. Students will be required to use their own networks to make an initial contact with a potential organisation; their choice will then need to be ratified by the School. The central task will be to complete a policy report of relevance to the organisation. Students who complete this subject should have well-developed analytical, research, interviewing and report-writing skills enabling the provision of consultancy-type research services; and have high-level interpersonal skills developed through interaction with a range of people involving several tiers of government and a plurality of interests.

• 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, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge ideologically and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

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

A research essay of 6000 words 75% and a reflective essay of 2000 words 25% (both due at the end of semester).