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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "INT 398-2"
COURSE NAME: "Internship"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Ada Bertini Bezzi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The For Credit (FC) Internship course combines academic learning with a short-term (part-time with a minimum of 150 hours) internship. Field experience allows participants to combine academic learning with hands-on work experience. For-Credit internships are unpaid. The organization or firm must be sponsored by the JCU Career Services Center (CSC). After being selected for an internship and having the CSC verify the course requirements are met, the intern may enroll in the Internship course corresponding to the academic discipline of interest. Course requirements include attending the internship class which will is scheduled for 20 in-class hours over the semester or summer session, verification of the minimum number of hours worked in the internship by the CSC; completion of a daily internship log; in-depth interview with the internship sponsor or organization; and a 2500 to 3500 word “White Paper” presenting a position or solution to a problem encountered by their employer. This course is graded on a “pass/no pass” basis. During the Fall and Spring semesters the course will begin the 3rd week of classes; in Summer it begins the 1st week of classes and ends at end of the Summer II Mini session. Students will determine with the Registrar’s Office or their Advisor which semester corresponds most closely with the timing of their internship. This course may be taken only once for academic credit.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

In this internship class, you will be encouraged to reflect on your experiences at your host company. By dedicating time to consider your role, your workplace, and the experiences of your peers, you will gain a deeper understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and professional skills. This reflection will not only help you develop soft skills but also provide you with valuable stories to share with future employers. Students from diverse majors and backgrounds will learn teamwork, conflict resolution, and effective communication with peers from different fields.

Course requirements include attending the internship class which is scheduled for 20 in-class hours over the semester or summer session, verification of the minimum number of hours worked in the internship by the CSC; completion of journal of internship activities including self-reflection; resumee, linkedin profile and Video Cv presentation; final presentation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Learning Outcomes:

1.     Enhanced Self-Awareness: Develop a deeper understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement.

2.     Professional Skill Development: Improve essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution.

3.     Reflective Practice: Cultivate the habit of reflecting on your professional experiences to gain insights and learn continuously.

4.     Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Learn to work effectively with peers from various academic and professional backgrounds.

5.     Storytelling for Career Advancement: Gain the ability to articulate your internship experiences and skills to future employers in a compelling manner.

 

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Succeeding at Your Internship: A Handbook Written for and with Students Christopher J. MrukChristopher J. Mruk, John C. MoorBowling Green State UniversityON LINE BOOK  Ebook  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
How to Intern Successfully: Insights & Actions to Optimize Your ExperienceRobert J. Khoury and John SelbyWaterside Productions 1956503005  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The Successful Internship: Personal, Professional, and Civic DevelopmentH. Frederick SweitzerCengage978-0495385004  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Completed journal of internship activities including self-reflection  30%
Resumee, linkedin profile and Video Cv presentation 25%
Final presentation  40%
Homework and participation 15%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

Attendance for the course is required

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE - Full Course Schedule:

 

Week

Topic

Reading

Week 1

05.02.25

Benefits of Internships

Student- Perceptions of The Value of Internships

INTERNSHIP JOURNAL

How and Why You Should Document Your Internship Experience

Z. Ismail, 2018, Benefits of Internships for Interns and Host Organisations Student M.

 

Hergert, 2009 Perceptions Of The Value Of Internships In Business Education

Week 2

12.02.25

Managing Teams

MBTI diagnostic

 

 

Keirsey, 2009: Please Understand Me

Week 3

19.02.25

Conflict Handling

Thomas Kilman diagnostic

 

Shonk, K., 2024. Conflict-Management Styles: Pitfalls and Best Practices.Harvard Business Review.

Week 4

26.02.25

Presentation skills

 

Knight, 2016: How to make a great first impression

 

Week 5

05.03.25

 

 

 

Resume, and LinkedIn: strategies and techniques

GUEST SPEAKER CAREER CENTER

Week 6

12.03.2025

 

SPRING BREAK

Week 7

19.03.25

Start thinking of your Video cv. Samples, techniques and tools

 

V.M. Cojocariu, C. Cîrtiță-Buzoianu, G. Mareș

Vasile Alecsandri, 2020 ,Video CV – A useful tool for student’s personal self-promotion?

INTED2020 Proceedings

Week 8

26.03.25

 

Job interview simulation.

How do you deal with difficult interview questions

M.Lyons, (2021) So You Botched a Job Interview. What’s Next? Harvard Business Review.

How-to-Answer-the-64-Toughest-Interview-Questions

Week 9

02.04.25

 

 

How to boost your

Employability:

How To Turn an Internship Into A Job Offer

R. Kalski, 2021, How I Turned My Internship into a Full-Time Job, Harvard Business Review.

Week 10

09.04.25

 

Leadership:

Leaders vs. Manager

GUEST SPEAKER

Hieker, C. & Pringle, J., ( 2020): The Future of Leadership Development

 

Week 11

16.04.25

Individual Presentation

 

 

Week 12

23.04.25

 

Contd. Individual Presentation

 

Week 13

30.04.25

 

The Best Way to End an internship

 

Please be advised that course schedule might change in according to class needs.