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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "INT 398-1"
COURSE NAME: "Internship"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Carola Hieker
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: T 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.

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:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The Successful Internship: Personal, Professional, and Civic DevelopmentH. Frederick Sweitzer and Mary A. King Engage978-0495385004  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
How to Intern Successfully: Insights & Actions to Optimize Your ExperienceRobert J. Khoury, John SelbyWaterside Productions 1956503005  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
   
Completed journal of internship activities including self-reflection  30%
Resumee/CV and linkedin profile  20%
Final presentation  50%

-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:
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 and completion of all assignments. 
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

04.02.25

The Value of Internship

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

 

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

Week 2

11.02.25

Managing Teams

 

 

 

Stein, R. and Swan, A.B., 2023. Evaluating the validity of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator theory

 

Week 3

18.02.25

Conflict Handling

 

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

Week 4

25.02.25

Presentation skills

Knight, 2016: How to make a great first impression, Harvard Business Review

Week 5

25.02.25

 

 

Resume and Linkedin: strategies and techniques

Presentation ofCareer Services Center

 

 

 

Week 4

04.03.2025

Finalise yourLinkedin profile: how to boost your employability

Resumee/CV and linkedin profile:Due 7.3.25

 

Mid-term Submission:Completed journal of internship activities including self-reflection: Due 07.3.25

Week 6

11.03.25

 

Term break

Week 7

18.03.25

 

Business Ethics and ESG

 

Hieker, C., Gannon, G., Philips, E. N., & Majmudar, S. (2024). Motivations for ESG investment among leaders in the MICE industry.European Journal of Sustainable Development, 13(4), 71-85

Gannon, G. and Hieker, C., 2022. Employee Engagement and a Company's Sustainability Values: A Case Study of a FinTech

 

Week 8

25.03.25

 

 

Leadership:

Leaders vs. Manager

 

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

 

Week 9

01.04.25

Coaching

 

Ibarra, H. and Scoular, A. (2019). The Leader as Coach

 

Week 10

08.04.25

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 11

15.04.25

 

Individual Presentation

Individual presentation: Due 14.04.25

End-term Submission:Completed journal of internship activities including self-reflection:Due 14.4.25 weight 15%

 

Week 12

22.04.25

 

Contd. Individual Presentation

 

Week 13

29.04

 

The power of feedback

 

Wrap up

 

 

 

 

 

REASONABLE CHANGES MAY BE MADE TO THE CONTENT OF THE SYLLABUS. STUDENTS WILL BE INFORMED IN WRITING OF ANY SUCH CHANGES.