Study-Unit Description

CODE

PPL3013

TITLE

Practicum

UM LEVEL

03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

MQF LEVEL

ECTS CREDITS

DEPARTMENT

Policy, Politics and Governance

DESCRIPTION

A practicum is designed to provide students with practical work experience in the political, public policy or civil society fields. The practicum emphasises the importance of learning by doing. A student's' primary tasks are observation and documentation. Furthermore, it offers an opportunity to students to engage in political media productions on Campus 103.7. Finally, this study-unit will also incorporate a set of workshops wherin students present and debate their researching process leading to the dissertation.

Study-Unit Aims:

The aim of this study-unit is to:

- Reflect on theories and concepts in politics and policy and identify:
- Whether and how these are evident in practice;
- What these theories and concepts do not capture;
- What can be added to these theories and concepts;
- What can practice learn and take from these theories and concepts;
- Observe and document work practices and task delivery;
- Apply academic knowledge to political media productions;
- Engage in debates, workshops and presentations leading to the submission of the dissertation.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Register progress in their dissertation research and writing;
- Experience media production and engagement;
- Identify, analyse and discuss how theoretical concepts in Politics and Governance learnt during the programme, are applied in thereal world;
- Deepen their knowledge of ethical leadership.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Exercise observation skills;
- Debate issues form different perspectives;
- Understand evidence-based practices;
- Conduct oneself in a professional manner;
- Interact and communicate effectively;
- Keep a journal and report of the work carried out;
- Enhance familiarity with political media production;
- Take recommendations for good practice and argue on the basis of studies and best practice.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Gains, F. (2014), "Observation Analysis", in Rhodes, R.A.W. and 't Hart, P. (2014), The Oxford Handbook of Political Leadership.
- Schubert, J.N (1988), "Politics under the Microscope: Observational Methods in Political Research", International Political science Review, 9(4), 305-325.
- Smith, C.F. (2009), "Writing public policy: A practicum", Technical Communication Quarterly, 9 (1), 77-92.
- Healey, M. and Jenkins, A. (2009), Developing undergraduate research and inquiry, Higher Education Academy.

Supplementary Readings:

- Ryan, M. et al (2016), "Improving Research Methods Teaching and Learning in Politics and International Relations: A ‘Reality Show’ Approach", Politics, 34 (1), 85-97.
- Schubert, J.N (1988), "Politics under the Microscope: Observational Methods in Political Research", International Political science Review, 9(4), 305-325.
- Smith, C.F. (2009), "Writing public policy: A practicum", Technical Communication Quarterly, 9 (1), 77-92.

STUDY-UNIT TYPE

Workshop, Practicum and Seminar

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

Assessment Component/s	Sept. Asst Session	Weighting
Presentation	Yes	25%
Analysis Task	Yes	25%
Report	Yes	25%
	Yes	25%

LECTURER/S

The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description

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