Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit offers a select group of students a unique first-hand experience working with a Member of the Victorian, New South Wales or Queensland Parliament (MP) to complete an original piece of research on a contemporary public policy issue. Students will be mentored by an MP, researchers at the Parliamentary Library or internship program, and (in Victoria by academics at a range of Victorian universities) during their internship which features regular seminars, workshops, and events at the State Parliament. The aim of the internship is to equip students with higher-level research skills and an advanced awareness of the political workings of Parliament and policy-making in a state context.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Apply disciplinary knowledge in the context of the...
Learning Outcome 01
Demonstrate professional and analytical skills rel...
Learning Outcome 02
Exhibit high levels of interpersonal skills, devel...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- State Parliamentary System
- State Political Parties
- State Political Institutions
- Advocacy and Policy-Making
- Political Science Research Methodologies
- Research Ethics
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed to enable students to work closely with a Member of Parliament to research and complete a report on a contemporary public policy issue. Each MP will allocate their student a topic which they wish to learn more about and will discuss it with them. With the aid of academics and staff at the Victorian Parliamentary Library or parliamentary internship program in NSW or QLD, students will then undertake research on this topic, culminating in a polished piece of research that will be stored in the Victorian Parliamentary Library or held by the Member of Parliament. Students may also have the opportunity to present their findings in an oral presentation. Finally, students will write a reflective essay on their entire experience working at the Victorian/NSW Parliament or an essay on parliamentary processes (QLD). The weightings of the assessments align with the requirements of the parliamentary internship program. Students undertaking research will follow ACU taught ethics guidelines.
Overview of assessments
Research Report and oral presentation of as speci...
Research Report and oral presentation of as specified in the program (6,000 words)
80%
Essay (1,500-2,000 words as specified in the prog...
Essay (1,500-2,000 words as specified in the program)
Reflective Essay (Victoria and NSW)
Parliamentary Process Essay (QLD)
20%
Attendance Hurdle Task: attendance at induction s...
Attendance Hurdle Task: attendance at induction seminars, workshops and meetings as specified by the internship program
Pass/Fail
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Attendance Mode: 12 week off-campus internship and directed learning through the state parliament internship program.
Victorian Mode: 12-week program
This unit offers two formal ways of learning and teaching. First, students will attend a series of seminars and workshops at the Victorian Parliament. During these seminars and workshops, students will be introduced to key concepts and ideas which will inform their internship. Additionally, the seminars and workshops will cover the research methodologies and ethics they will need to complete their research project. Second, students will be paired with a Member of the Victorian Parliament (MP) who will mentor them and work with them on their research projects. It is expected that students will work with the MP and their staff during the course of their internship.
NSW Mode: 12-week program, students work in the designated office for one day per week. This amounts to 80-100 hours across the program.
This unit offers two formal ways of learning and teaching. First, students will attend a series of induction seminars and workshops at the NSW Parliament. During these seminars and workshops, students will be introduced to key concepts and ideas which will inform their internship. Second, students will be paired with a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC); parliamentary committees or the Procedural Research Office who will mentor them and work with them on their research projects. It is expected that students will work with the designated staff member during the course of their internship.
Queensland Mode: 12-week program
The Queensland Parliamentary Research Internship (QPRI) program is based around a research project conducted for a Member of Parliament This unit offers two formal ways of learning and teaching. First, students will attend a series of induction seminars and report-writing workshops delivered by the secretary of a parliamentary committee or delegate. During these seminars and workshops, students will be introduced to key concepts and ideas which will inform their internship. Second, students will be paired with a Member of Parliament (MP). It is expected that students will work with the designated staff member during the course of their internship.