Course Title: Internship

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Internship

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COMM1173	City Campus	Undergraduate	335H Applied Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009
COMM1173	City Campus	Undergraduate	345H Media and Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 1 2014

Course Coordinator: Caroline van de Pol

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3552

Course Coordinator Email: caroline.vandepol@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 9, level 5, City Campus

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Pre-requisites: COMM2257 COMM2361 Co-requisite: COMM2359

Course Description

This is a core course for final year students in the Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) program. It provides final year students with experience as a public relations practitioner, with students completing a practical placement. Placements should be completed in an environment where a supervisor with suitable experience and expertise can assess your performance, for example a public relations consultancy or a communication department.  A series of seminars complements your placement, by giving you the opportunity to contextualise your professional practice in relation to the knowledge and skills gained in your other studies in the program.

The integration of work based learning and academic learning, commonly referred to as Work Integrated learning (WIL), will allow you to solve authentic business problems or address real issues faced in organizations.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Capability development in this course contributes to the following graduate outcomes:
- high level verbal and written communication skills
- project management and teamwork skills
- leadership skills
- professional writing and presentation techniques
- ability to relate ethical standards to PR practice
- problem solving and analytical skills
- ability to research, plan, implement and evaluate PR project

By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- analyse PR theories and models and their application in practice
- develop PR projects, programs and campaigns
- identify requirements for successful transition from university to the worklplace, including expectations of a professional environment
- adopt techniques to assist you in improving your performance in the workplace, reflecting on feedback from employers, colleagues and clients

Overview of Learning Activities

This course requires you to complete 160 hours (equivalent of four weeks’ work) practical placement in a public relations role, under appropriate supervision. You can complete your internship in an in-house commercial/corporate, public sector or not-for-profit environment, or in a consultancy.
Seminars to complement your placement will held in semester one. They will be integral to assessment in this course.
You will refer to social media platforms, and tools, associated with professional development in this course.

Overview of Learning Resources

While there is no specific prescribed text for this course, students will find prescribed and recommended texts for other PR courses will prove useful references. Readings, where required, will be advised in advance of the relevant seminar. Selected materials will be distributed at seminars. You will refer to social media platforms, and tools, associated with professional development in this course.

Overview of Assessment

There are group and individual assessments in this course. You will be required to submit a report about your internship experience, for which you will be assessed, as well assessable class discussions and exercises.
Your placement supervisor will complete an evaluation of your performance in your practical placement.