POL41390 SPIRe Intership

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module, available to selected students on SPIRE core MA programmes, provides a unique opportunity for professional development and the application of knowledge to real-world situations. Graduate students, in consultation with the module coordinator, may arrange for part- or full-time jobs (paid or voluntary) in fields related to politics and international relations. The goal is to relate the student's educational and academic experience to the professional needs of the host with whom they are associated. The programme of the internship is executed under the guidance of the module coordinator. A dedicated internship contract must be signed by the student and the host and be countersigned by the module coordinator prior to the commencement of the internship. The internship contract will specify the nature of the duties to be undertaken, the learning objectives associated thereto, the host's proposed management of the internship and reporting requirements.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module students should be able to demonstrate the acquisition of key communications, cognitive and professional skills. The specific learning objectives will be tailored to each student and their placement and will form part of the internship contract with the host. Indicative learning objectives for an internship might be expected to include inter alia: 1) The ability verbally and in writing to express ideas clearly and persuasively in a variety of professional contexts, 2) Understanding professional customs and practices, 3) The effective acquisition and evaluation of information as well as its organization, interpretation and presentation, 4) The ability to apply knowledge to a specific task, 5) The ability to self-organize, to prioritize tasks and to work effectively to deadlines, 6) Serving the needs of key stakeholders within a professional context, 7) Negotiating and arriving at a decision, 8) Working with diversity/diverse populations,9) Self-monitoring and correcting performance, 10) Using computers/technology to process information, 11) Exercising leadership, 12)Behaving professionally and ethically, 13) Allocating time effectively, 14) Adapting effectively to changing conditions, 15) Participating positively as a member of a team, 16) Developing appropriate workplace attitudes, 17) Understanding and managing personal behavior and attitudes

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

50

Placement/Work Experience

480

Total

530

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The typical internship lasts about 10-12 weeks, in which case the student submits a reflective essay every two weeks – for internships of different duration, the time gap can be adjusted, as long as it is equidistant and leads to five reflective essays in total, covering the full period of the internship. The UCD supervisor may provide brief feedback as required, typically by email or via Brightspace. With a deadline of at most two weeks after finishing the internship, a full journal is due, including the five short reflective essays, and a final 3,000 word reflective essay on the internship as a whole. The final essay needs to at least address each of the learning objectives originally outlined in the internship agreement, and in addition any other learning outcomes of and substantive reflections on the internship. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Fieldwork: As per syllabus. Module is assessed on a Pass/Fail credit-neutral basis and a Pass result will entail satisfactory employer's review, submission of regular reflective learning journals & final report Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

100


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat (CFP) Within Three Semesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided on learning journal entries as needed.