Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

In the Social Inclusion Internship, students apply their academic and research skills to projects in the migration, refugees and multiculturalism sector. Drawing on prior study of migration issues, the internship enables students to participate in the activities and projects of an approved host organisation. It is an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of the culture and challenges of the workplace and to engage with the practical dimensions of migrant and refugee settlement and multicultural communities. The unit enables students to obtain practical workplace experience while gaining academic credit towards their degree.

Places are strictly limited and selection will be based primarily on academic merit.

Objectives

On successful completion all students will have:

1. Gained first-hand experience of the practical dimensions of migrant and refugee settlement and integration
2. Attained practical workplace interpersonal skills
3. Completed relevant research and/or job study that demonstrates their understanding of the complexities of migration
4. Developed knowledge of both the theoretical and practical challenges of immigration
5. Consolidated their skills in project formulation, implementation, analysis and reporting
6. Enhanced skills in managing and organising workloads for the completion of their internship research project and related assessment tasks
7. Enhanced their skills in critical reflection by engaging with the host organisation's positioning in terms of broader refugee, migration and multiculturalism issues
8. Strengthened their understanding of the interests of the various stakeholders in the migration sector
9. Enhanced their skills in critical thinking by undertaking an analysis of the implications of their own work and their host organisation's activities
10. Improved their ability for self-evaluation and reflective learning in the context of the workplace
11. Developed an understanding of the ethical issues one may encounter in the workplace and in the course of undertaking research

Assessment

Essay: 2000 words (20%)
Reflective journal: 1000 words (10%)
Seminar presentation: 2000 words (20%)
Research paper: 4000 words (50%)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Penny Graham

Contact hours

Four 2-hour seminars and one half-day conference per semester and 8-10 hours of work placement per week

Prerequisites

ATS2625, ATS3625 or ATS2716, ATS3716

Prohibitions

MON2003