Center: 
Dublin
Discipline(s): 
Internship Seminar
Course code: 
IN 395
Terms offered: 
Fall
Spring
Credits: 
3
Language of instruction: 
English
Instructor: 
Stephen Chandler
Description: 

Students approved for an internship will be assigned to an organization, where they will fulfill a minimum of two days per week during the semester.  A variety of internship placements are available depending on the semester.  Placements are with local, national and international organizations, such as businesses, political parties, theatres and non-profit organizations.

 

Attendance policy: 

Any missed class, without a legitimate reason will be reflected in the final grade.  A legitimate reason would include: illness or family bereavement.

Learning outcomes: 

•     Development of an understanding of the Irish workplace.
•     Appreciation of cultural perspectives and beliefs in Ireland.
•     Recognition of how these cultural attributes are manifested in the workplace.
•     Understanding of how Irish work culture differs from the US.
•     Comprehension of Ireland’s history and economy and its influence on the Irish workplace.
• Development of skills to recognize, assess and provide solutions to situations faced in a foreign work environment.
•     Development of skills to succeed in an international work environment.

Method of presentation: 

Seminar, discussion, and guest speakers

Required work and form of assessment: 

• Evaluation by internship sponsor (50%)
• A journal (10%), to be handed in mid way through the semester, detailing the following:
• Introduction
• A brief outline of the organization
• Intern’s expectations for the internship
• Initial impressions of the internship
• The structure and function of the organization (Organizational Chart)
• The role the internship organization plays in the community
• An outline of the main tasks undertaken in the internship
• The cultural aspects of the internship
• A 2,500 final paper (30%) detailing the topics included in the journal as well as these additional areas:
• The intern's contribution to the organization
• Similarities/differences with a US internship(s)
• What the intern gained from the internship
• Suggestions regarding the company’s performance
• Conclusion
• Class contribution and seminar attendance (10%)

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that copies of all work submissions are also kept in one’s possession and that supervisors’ assessments are returned to the internship coordinator.

content: 

Students participate in a two hour support seminar that is held on a bi-weekly basis.  Students are required to submit a journal entry at every seminar meeting and to discuss, evaluate and exchange their work experience with the group in terms of the assigned discussion topic.
 

Discussion topics: Culture
ƒ Converging cultures
ƒ Exploring cultures
ƒ Culture and organization
Population in Ireland
The Celtic Tiger
Social perspectives on Ireland Employment Law in Ireland Communication skills

Required readings: 

Schell, M.S. & Solomon, C.M. (1997) Capitalizing on the Global Workforce:  A Strategic Guide for Expatriate Management, McGraw-Hill, New York.

Schneider, S.C. & Barsoux, J. (2003) Managing Across Cultures, 2nd edition, FT Prentice Hall, London.

Trompenaars, F. & Hampden-Turner, C. (2005) Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Cultural Diversity in Business, 2nd edition, Nicholas Brearley Publishing, Boston.

Other Resources: 

INTERNET WEBSITES
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ (login: ies password: Newman)
http://www.economist.com/ (login: ashleytaggat@eircom.net password: newman)
http://www.unison.ie/irishindependent/ (register yourself)
http://www.ft.com (login: iesdublin password: newman)
http://www.eubusiness.com/ (login: iesdublin password: newman)
http://www.actualidad.com/ (index of world newspapers)

Updated 2/09