I. Objectives

To maximize the benefit of Cultural Studies education for the students enrolled in the BA degree, an internship programme has been set up in conjunction with a selected number of local cultural, media and community bodies to enable students to put theory into practice in the Hong Kong context.

The Department of Cultural Studies is responsible for the establishment and administration of the Internship Programme. we aim to provide a dynamic framework for the consolidation and realization of the degree objectives in the course of the student's education at Lingnan. Throughout the internship, educational benefits to be gained from the learning process will be emphasized.

II. Terms and Conditions of the Student Internship

The Programme is non-credit-bearing. For each available post, the partner institution or organization will forward a detailed description listing job duties and other specifications. This should include a proposed training programme for the intern for endorsement by the Head of the Cultural Studies Department at the University. Selected interns will then be required to work under the supervision of the partner institution on full-time or part-time basis for a period of six to eight weeks in accordance with the job specifications. Those employed on a full-time basis will normally be compensated with a stipend to be determined and paid by the participating institution.

III. Selection Criteria

Internship will take place in the summer of months, after the Cultural Studies major students have completed their second year of study at the University.

A number of internships will be provided on a competitive basis toward the end of their second year of study for students majoring in BA (Hons) Cultural Studies:

whose Project Proposal submitted for admission to the advanced course Directed Research Project (CUS 320 for 3 units; or CUS 321 for 3 units) in their third year of study has been approved by the Head of Department; AND

Whose application for internship is approved by the partner institution/organization concerned.

IV. Partner Institutions and Organizations

Partner institutions providing internship placements will benefit from an extra provision of human resource. After initial contact with the Department, the interested institutions or organizations will supply a detailed description listing job duties and other specifications for each available post. This would include a proposed training programme for the intern, to be agreed upon by the Head of the Cultural Studies Department at the University. They will then interview the eligible students and sign an agreement with those selected. The interns will then be required to work under the joint supervision of the partner institution on full-time or part-time basis for a period of six to eight weeks in accordance with the job specifications. A representative from the partner institution will be nominated as co-supervisor to the intern and he or she will complete a report on the performance of the student intern at the end of the internship period.

V. Monitoring and Supervision

For the purpose of quality assurance by the University, the following rules will be observed.

(i) Students taking CUS 320 Directed Research Project A (3 units) in their third year of study who have participated in the Internship Programme must report their work and experience during the internship in a formal paper to the Project Supervisor concerned, in addition to fulfilling the reading and/or writing assignments on a topic mutually agreed upon between the student and the supervisor.

(ii) Students taking CUS 321 Directed Research Project B (3 units) in their third year of study who have participated in the Internship Programme must report their work and experience during the internship in a formal paper to the Project Supervisor concerned, in addition to completing a research project on a topic mutually agreed upon between the student and the supervisor.

During the summer months when the Internship Programme is in place, a small team of co-ordinators consisting of two to three teaching members of staff will be set up in the Department to oversee the operation of the programme and serve as supervisors/advisors to the interns. The students will be required to submit reports on their work experience throughout the course of their internship.

VI. Disclaimer

During the internship period, the student will be employed by the partner institution as an employee; his/her relationship with the institution will be governed by the contract of service and the relevant Hong Kong labour legislation. The student will be responsible for his/her own act, conduct and behaviour in the employed institution, as well as any loss or damage caused to the institution. Lingnan University will not be responsible for any act, conduct and behaviour of the student while he or she is at work in the institution concerned, or for any loss or damage caused to the institution or any liability of whatever nature incurred by the student in the course of or during the internship period concerned.