Admission requirements
In order to be admitted to the Field Assignment, students need an approved internship plan.
This course is a compulsory element of the MA African Studies and only open to students that have been admitted in this programme.
Description
Students will spend a minimum of 7 weeks on an internship assignment in Africa, working with a local partner on a topic of joint interest, but linked to the research field in which the student wants to specialise and continue with the Master’s thesis research. Local partners can be NGOs, CBOs, local or central government agencies, media, art or business agencies, as well as scientific institutes or think tanks.
Students should organize and prepare for their internship placement themselves, but are assisted and advised in this process in the seminar series Africa in Practice by lecturers and Careerservice.
Course objectives
Knowledge and understanding
- Multidisciplinary knowledge of and insight into societies and cultures of Africa at an advanced level.
- A thorough understanding of the societal relevance of the study subject.
Applying knowledge and understanding
- The ability to apply knowledge, insights, concepts and research methods relevant in African Studies in other professional settings
- The technical and cognitive skills to collect, select, analyse and critically evaluate data and academic literature to formulate an answer to research questions
- The ability to work with a complex body of sources of diverse nature and to report on this analysis either orally and/or in written form.
- The ability to work in an unfamiliar country and professional environment and with stakeholders of a different nature
Ability to formulate judgements
- Formulate judgements in the field of African Studies
- Take into account social and cultural, academic and ethical aspects relevant to the analysis of complex questions and the formulation of judgements.
- Reflect on methodological, historical and ethical-social aspects of African Studies.
Communication
- Written skills to clearly communicate the outcomes
Learning Skills
- Is able and aware of the necessity to keep abreast of relevant developments in the academic and practitioners field.
- Is able to assess where his/her own research/work can contribute to academic or practioners’ fields.
Mode of instruction
- Internship
Assessment method
- Report by local supervisor at host organization on the performance of the student during the internship 25%. Course objectives assessed: 3, 5, 6, 8
- Oral assessment by internship supervisor on the performance of the student during the internship (25%). Course objectives assessed: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9
- Final written report by the student (50%). Course objectives assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12
In case the weighed average of the student’s work is insufficient, the written report can be revised based on feedback and suggestions for improvement by the course coordinator. Upon submission of the revised report, the oral assessment will also have to be re-taken.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for the submissed of the written final report, and general communication regarding the course.
Reading list
Not applicable.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact information
Coordinator of Studies: P.C. Lai LL.M. MSc
Education Administration Office: van Wijkplaats