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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 398-1"
COURSE NAME: "Internship: Political Science Field"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 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: Prerequisites: GPA of 3.0 or higher; Junior Standing; Internship in the field of Political Science obtained through the Career Services Center
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:
  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:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Completed journal of internship activities including self-reflection • Mid-term Submission: weight 15% • End-term Submission: weight 15%30
White paper  30
Final presentationOverview of the internship company/industry and key insights from the white paper 40
 Weekly sessions will be divided between lectures and work experience. Lectures will offer an overview of the key theories and concepts, alongside with a critical perspective. Seminars will be the occasion for students and share their internship experience. Moodle will be used to upload lecture notes and other essential course-related information.  

-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 for the course is required

Examination policy

A major exam (midterm or final) cannot be made up 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.
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

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

__________

Week

Topic

Reading

Week 1

 

The Value of Internship:

- Introduction to the course

- How to write a white paper

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

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

George Mason University Writing Center (2024) White Papers.

Week 2

 

Managing Teams

 

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

 

Week 3

 

What is an organisation - Input on Organisational Design

Worren, N. (2018) Organization Design: Simplifying Complex Systems. 2nd edn. London: Routledge. Chapter 3.

Week 4

 

Resume and Linkedin: strategies and techniques

Presentation of Career Services Center

 

Week 4

 

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 6

 

Conflict Handling

 

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

Week 7

 

 

Job interview simulation.

 

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

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

Week 8

 

Presentation Skills

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

Week 9

 

Leadership and EQ

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

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

Week 10

 

Individual Presentation

Individual presentation

Week 11

 

Contd. Individual Presentation

Individual presentation

Week 12

 

The power of feedback

Wrap up

 

__________

TEXTBOOK

Required Texts:

Succeeding at Your Internship: A Handbook Written for and with Students

Christopher J. Mruk,  John C. Moor, Bowling Green State University (2020)

Free PDF download: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/oer/1/ 

George Mason University Writing Center (2024) White Papers. Available at: https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/different-genres/white-papers (Accessed: 11 August 2025)

Free PDF download: https://d101vc9winf8ln.cloudfront.net/documents/51409/original/White_Paper_Quick_Guide.pdf?1733507492

Recommended Text

The Successful Internship: Personal, Professional, and Civic Development" by H. Frederick Sweitzer and Mary A. King (Cengage)

How to Intern Successfully: Insights & Actions to Optimize Your Experience" by Robert J. Khoury and John Selby is published by Waterside Productions (2021)

Z. Ismail (2018) Benefits of Internships for Interns and Host Organisations 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b3b5de3ed915d33c7d58e52/Internships.pdf

R. B. Van Vechten, (2021) A Review of the Literature: Internships and Best Practices

https://dashboard.inspire.redlands.edu/downloads/09574c85-37f3-45f1-a644-914476201be0

Recommended Reading:

Gannon, G. and Hieker, C., 2022. Employee Engagement and a Company's Sustainability Values: A Case Study of a FinTech SME. Management Studies, [online] 10(3), pp.201-210. Available at: <https://www.davidpublisher.com/Home/Journal/MS

Haas, M. and Mortensen, M. (2016). The Secrets of Great Teamwork. Harvard Business Journal, 94(6), pp.70-76.

Hieker, C. & Pringle, J., ( 2020): The Future of Leadership Development. Disruption and the Impact of Megatrends., Oxford: Palgrave Macmillan

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

Knight, R. (2016). How to make a great First impression. Harvard Business Review

Shonk, K., 2024. Conflict-Management Styles: Pitfalls and Best Practices. Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/conflict-resolution/conflict-management-styles-pitfalls-and-best-practices/ [Accessed 19 January 2025].

Stein, R. and Swan, A.B., 2019. Evaluating the validity of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator theory: A teaching tool and window into intuitive psychology. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 13(11), e12434

Worren, N. (2018) Organization Design: Simplifying Complex Systems. 2nd edn. London: Routledge. Available at: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315145112/organization-design-nicolay-worren (Accessed: 11 August 2025).

Washington, E.F., 2022. The Five Stages of DEI Maturity. Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://www.harvardbusiness.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/HBR_2022_11_the-five-stages-of-dei-maturity.pdf [Accessed 19 January 2025].

Students are also expected to get familiar with key industry insights journals in the field.

Industry Insights

-          McKinsey Quarterly (McKinsey & Co.).

-          pwc research&insights

-          Oliver Wyman Ideas

-          BCG