Course syllabus Internship, Political Science
Swedish name: Praktik, statsvetenskap
Course code:
2SS084
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2024
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
30.0 credits
Progression:
A1F
Grading scale:
Two-grade scale
Main field of study:
Political Science: Security Studies
Department:
Department of Political Science and Law
Subject:
Political Science
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2023-06-13
Entry requirements
A minimum of 45 credits worth of approved courses from the first year of the master programme in Political Science, including mandatory courses (30 credits) during the first semester. In addition, the student should have submitted and defended a complete master thesis and passed the peer opposition component to be eligible to admission on the course.
Course content and structure
The course provides the student with the opportunity to, under the supervision of a mentor at the place of internship, utilize and apply their knowledge and education from the Master’s programme in Political Science at a sanctioned governmental or non-governmental agency, company or organisation in Sweden or abroad.
During their internship, the student shall participate in the daily work routines of the organization, and be given the opportunity to engage in qualified tasks which relate to their education at the Swedish Defence University and to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical tasks which relate to their Political Science education, e.g. through contribution to memoranda, reports or projects as assigned by the supervisor at the place of internship approved in advance by the course examiner. In addition to the seminars at the Swedish Defence University, the student is provided instruction through the supervised internship at the place of internship. The education at the Swedish Defence University includes elements such as problem formulation, data collection, analysis and presentation of relevant results. It is valuable for the student to make use of such elements in both longer and shorter assignments at the place of internship.
The student independently authors and submits an academic internship report to the course examiner, and participates in the introductory seminar and final seminar. In the final seminar of the course, the student reflects on their internship report, acquired knowledge from courses in the programme, and practical experiences from the internship period in a group setting. The student is encouraged to keep notes of their reflections at the place of internship throughout the entire period of internship, in order to facilitate authorship of their independently authored internship report. One full week of the internship period is to be allocated to the student's writing of their internship report. The internship report shall include theoretical and practical observations and reflections based on their education and practical internship experience.
Type of Instruction
Seminars
Supervision
Instruction takes the form of mentored internship, independent authorship of an academic internship report to be submitted to the course examinator, and participation in seminars. During the final mandatory seminar, the work internship reports and knowledge and practical experience gained from previous studies and the internship will be reflected upon in a group setting
During their internship, the student shall participate in the daily work routines of the organization, and be given the opportunity to engage in qualified tasks which relate to their education at the Swedish Defence University and to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical tasks which relate to their Political Science education, e.g. through contribution to memoranda, reports or projects as assigned by the supervisor at the place of internship approved in advance by the course examiner. In addition to the seminars at the Swedish Defence University, the student is provided instruction through the supervised internship at the place of internship. The education at the Swedish Defence University includes elements such as problem formulation, data collection, analysis and presentation of relevant results. It is valuable for the student to make use of such elements in both longer and shorter assignments at the place of internship.
The student independently authors and submits an academic internship report to the course examiner, and participates in the introductory seminar and final seminar. In the final seminar of the course, the student reflects on their internship report, acquired knowledge from courses in the programme, and practical experiences from the internship period in a group setting. The student is encouraged to keep notes of their reflections at the place of internship throughout the entire period of internship, in order to facilitate authorship of their independently authored internship report. One full week of the internship period is to be allocated to the student's writing of their internship report. The internship report shall include theoretical and practical observations and reflections based on their education and practical internship experience.
Type of Instruction
Seminars
Supervision
Instruction takes the form of mentored internship, independent authorship of an academic internship report to be submitted to the course examinator, and participation in seminars. During the final mandatory seminar, the work internship reports and knowledge and practical experience gained from previous studies and the internship will be reflected upon in a group setting
Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
Skills and abilities
Judgment and approach
Knowledge and understanding
- analyze the overarching role and work of the place of internship in society, current areas for development and issues within the organisation’s sector or branch, as well as demands that are placed upon the organisation within their respective sector,
Skills and abilities
- in written and oral form exemplify processes that have transpired at the place of internship with respect to scientific or research-based deliberation, as well as with respect to societal and ethical aspects,
- use experience gained at the place of internship to independently and critically reason around the possibilities and limitations of science application in society and the responsibility of people for how it is applied,
Judgment and approach
- independently and critically reflect upon the relationship between the practical experience and knowledge gained during the internship period, individual contributions during the internship period, and theoretical knowledge gained through studies in the Master’s programme.
Examination formats
Examination
Scope: 30.0
Grading Scale: Fail, Pass
The course is examined through participation in the internship, an independently authored internship report, and participation in the final seminar. The course convener of the internship course follows up on the internship via dialogue with the student and the mentor at the place of internship.
To receive a passing grade, the student must adhere to rules and regulations stipulated in the written agreement between the student, the organization providing the internship, and the course convener.
Late submissions are not graded unlessthe examiner has approved the reasons. The examiner may decide on a supplementary assignment to enable the student to achieve a passing grade. The student mustcomplete a supplementary assignment within three working days, unless the examiner decides otherwise.
Active attendance in the final seminar is mandatory. The examiner may decide on a supplementary assignment if the student obtain permission for non-attendance in advance. A student who is absent from without permission will not receive a supplementary assignment, but is offered the opportunity to attend this seminar the next time the course is given.
Grading
Grades are determined according to a two-point grading scale: Pass(G) and Fail (U).
To achieve a passing grade the student must achieve a passing grade for their participation in the internship, in the mandatory seminar as well as on their academic internship report.
Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.
Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Scope: 30.0
Grading Scale: Fail, Pass
The course is examined through participation in the internship, an independently authored internship report, and participation in the final seminar. The course convener of the internship course follows up on the internship via dialogue with the student and the mentor at the place of internship.
To receive a passing grade, the student must adhere to rules and regulations stipulated in the written agreement between the student, the organization providing the internship, and the course convener.
Late submissions are not graded unlessthe examiner has approved the reasons. The examiner may decide on a supplementary assignment to enable the student to achieve a passing grade. The student mustcomplete a supplementary assignment within three working days, unless the examiner decides otherwise.
Active attendance in the final seminar is mandatory. The examiner may decide on a supplementary assignment if the student obtain permission for non-attendance in advance. A student who is absent from without permission will not receive a supplementary assignment, but is offered the opportunity to attend this seminar the next time the course is given.
Grading
Grades are determined according to a two-point grading scale: Pass(G) and Fail (U).
To achieve a passing grade the student must achieve a passing grade for their participation in the internship, in the mandatory seminar as well as on their academic internship report.
Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.
Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Transitional provisions
When the course is no longer offered or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.
Other regulations
The course cannot be included in a degree with another course where content fully or partially corresponds to the content of this course.
The student is responsible for securing their own work internship position. The place of internship is approved and recognized in advance by signing of the Internship Agreement by the supervisor/mentor at the place of internship and by the Swedish Defence University. The place of internship shall mentor and supervise the student during their work internship and be the point of contact for the student and for the Swedish Defence University as indicated in the agreement. Any costs incurred by having a place of internship are the responsibility of the student.
The Swedish Defence University reserves the right to disallow work internship proposed by the student if it deems the organisation or mentor inappropriate. The activities of the place of internship may not violate the principles and legislation for public authorities in Sweden. As it is the right of the Swedish Defence University to assess the appropriate nature of the place of internship, it is also possible that a proposed place of internship may be rejected as the Swedish Defence University may lack the resources necessary to ascertain whether it is appropriate.
If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defence University on educational support due to disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.
Course evaluation is carried out after completion of the course through the course convener and represents the basis for any changes to the course.
This is an edited version of the syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Ladok education planning. For originals, refer to the archive.
The student is responsible for securing their own work internship position. The place of internship is approved and recognized in advance by signing of the Internship Agreement by the supervisor/mentor at the place of internship and by the Swedish Defence University. The place of internship shall mentor and supervise the student during their work internship and be the point of contact for the student and for the Swedish Defence University as indicated in the agreement. Any costs incurred by having a place of internship are the responsibility of the student.
The Swedish Defence University reserves the right to disallow work internship proposed by the student if it deems the organisation or mentor inappropriate. The activities of the place of internship may not violate the principles and legislation for public authorities in Sweden. As it is the right of the Swedish Defence University to assess the appropriate nature of the place of internship, it is also possible that a proposed place of internship may be rejected as the Swedish Defence University may lack the resources necessary to ascertain whether it is appropriate.
If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defence University on educational support due to disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.
Course evaluation is carried out after completion of the course through the course convener and represents the basis for any changes to the course.
This is an edited version of the syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Ladok education planning. For originals, refer to the archive.