Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

In order to participate in Project Oriented Course, students must have passed exams totaling at least 30 ECTS from the 1st and 2nd semester of the International Relations study program

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Objectives 

The objective of the module is  

• That students gain practical experience through applying knowledge, theories and methods within international relations while working in an international organization.  

• That students apply and reflect upon their collaborative PBL competences acquired during previous semesters’ group projects.   

• That students are able to reflect critically on their experience during their time at an international organization and on the linkage between their study programs and the Academic Internship, thereby demonstrating their reflexive competencies.  

Contents 

Students must spend a minimum of three months in an international organization working with activities related to the study program. The host organization is chosen by the student and must be approved by the study board/the coordinator. Before the Academic Internship begins, an agreement between the student, the study board and the host organization must be drawn up stating the expectations and responsibilities of the student during the Academic Internship. This agreement must specify which tasks the student is expected to undertake at the host organization as well as the duration of the Academic Internship. Concurrently, the students will write a project report, reflecting on their experience and using their theoretical knowledge about international relations to identify and analyze a problem field of relevance to the host organization. 

The report must contain reflections on the linkage between the Academic Internship and the study program as well as an analysis of a topic relevant to the host organization. Additionally, there must be reflections about problem-based learning in relation to Academic Internship experience, drawing on experiences from former semesters at the study program. 

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• specific knowledge of the working environment and internal procedures of the host institution 

• in-depth knowledge of the field of the host organization as well as a broad understanding of the context for the host institution’s daily work 

Skills

• can analyze specific issues of relevance to the host institution within the field of international relations 

• can select and apply relevant methods and theories from the study program in a practical context 

• can reflect critically on the application of relevant methods and theories from an academic perspective, including PBL  

• are able to apply acquired theoretical knowledge related to international relations in a practical context 

Competences

• can plan their own work and undertake the specific analytical and academic tasks requested by the host organization 

• can function within an intercultural working environment 

• can take responsibility for their own professional development in cooperation with the chosen host organization and the academic supervisor. 

Type of instruction

Students will be expected to participate in the daily activities of the host organization. In addition, the students will also write a project report under supervision from the study program.  

Exam

Prerequisite for enrollment for the exam

• The students must hand in a written statement from the host institution stating that the student has worked in the organization during the time period stipulated.

Exams

Name of exam	Project Oriented Module in an External Organization
Type of exam	Written exam The module is completed by an internally assessed, individual written examination in the form of a project report of 12 to 15 standard pages.
ECTS	25
Assessment	7-point grading scale
Type of grading	Internal examination
Criteria of assessment	The criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures