POLIS 3111EX - South Australian Parliamentary Internship

External - Semester 2 - 2024

This course offers students the opportunity to spend a semester as interns working under the direction of a Member of the State Parliament while completing an agreed research task. Students will be required to conduct intensive research on a single public policy topic (under the guidance of an academic supervisor). Final placement will depend upon availability and the application of an internal quota based on GPA. In order to complete the process of placement allocation, students should finalise their enrolment by the completion of the normal enrolment period and cannot be considered if not enrolled before 30 April.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code POLIS 3111EX
    Course South Australian Parliamentary Internship
    Coordinating Unit Politics and International Relations
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s External
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study
    Incompatible POLIS 2112
    Quota Dependent on placement availability
    Assessment Research proposal 20%, Research report 80%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Priya Chacko

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Seminars and presentations are usually scheduled from 2pm on Fridays. In some weeks drop in sessions for one on one supervision will replace seminars. 


    This is a research internship designed to produce a research report. Contact hours with MPs will differ depending on the office's needs and capacities. MPs may not be able to provide office space. 

    Overall students are required to complete 150 hours to meet the requirements of this course

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
    1 work in a political environment.
    2 demonstrate theoretical, critical and methodological knowledge of public
    policy issues in a practical form that mirrors post-university professional work.
    3 develop, manage and complete a research project at an advanced level.
    4 design reports/policy briefs, design and deliver presentations and progress reports consistent with professional standards.
    5 show an awareness of the ways in which contemporary professional, industry organisations, community and/or government agencies engage with politicians and help shape policy debates.
    6 understand the ways in which social sciences research skills, methods, knowledge and information are relevant to post-university working life and advance career prospects and applications accordingly.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2,3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2,3,4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1,4

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1,2,6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    6

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    .

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1,6
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is based on the principles of experiential learning and requires students to be placed in a political office environment with workplace supervision and mentoring. Students will also be expected to meet one-on-one with an academic supervisor to discuss the nature of their academic project for assessment and attend seminars.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students complete an internship of 150 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    As well as regularly attending the workplace and  attending seminars, students can meet with the academic supervisor to discuss assessment requirements and tasks. The academic staff member will be available throughout the duration of the work placement to advise or assist you with any content-related issues you face in the workplace.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting %
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Research proposal Summative
    and formative
    20% 1, 2
    Research report Summative 80% 1 - 6
    Assessment Detail
    Project research proposal: Students must submit a 750-1000 word research proposal on a topic negotiated with the workplace supervisor and in consultation with the academic supervisor.

    Research project: Students must submit a 5000 word report based on the topic elaborated in the research proposal.
    Submission
    All assessment must be submitted to Turnitin via MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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