SIS 793-013-2018S

Practicum: Issues of multinational enterprises

Tuesdays8:20PM– 10:40pm

Spring 2018

NAMEProf. Catherine E. Bocskor

Phone 202 409 7017

Email

Course Description and Objectives

The SIS Practicum serves as one of the capstone options for Master’s students in the School of International Service and is designed to provide an important bridge between the academic setting and the professional world. Students will build on the substantive and methodological knowledge they acquired during the first year of their MA program. The first part of the practicum will focus on researching and defining the core issues within the substantive area and on preparing for the first meeting and mid-term meetings with the client. The class will meet with their teams once a week with the instructor. Once each team meets with its client, students will solidify the scope of their project and break it down into manageable tasks that fully involve all team members. At this stage in the practicum, class meetings will be used to review progress to date, to identify key issues and problems, and to seek guidance. Teams will continue to meet at least once a week to plan, coordinate, and carry out the project. The semester will culminate in two important activities. First, each practica team will present its results in an oral presentation on campus. Students and the professor are responsible for planning this and inviting the relevant faculty and outside experts who can critique the presentation and provide helpful feedback prior to presenting to the client. Second, each team will give an oral presentation to its client and will present the client with the final report. Depending on arrangements with the client, all final reports and/or their executive summaries will be posted on the SIS Practica Website (

The first part of the Practicum will focus on 1) defining and researching the core issues within the substantive area and 2) on preparing for the first meeting (either live or via Skype) with the client.

Once each team meets with its client, students will identify the scope of their project and break it down into manageable tasks that fully involve all team members. At this stage in the practicum, each team of students will meet with their instructor on a regular basis to review progress to date, to identify key issues and problems, and to seek guidance. Teams will continue to meet at least once a week to plan, coordinate, and carry out the project.

The semester will culminate with each team giving an oral presentation to their client and presenting the client with their final report.

Students are highly encouraged to view practicum orientation videos posted on blackboard (go to LIBWEB-999-026, click on Skills Module 1 in left hand column). Additionally, the following activities will take place during the semester.

  • Student Orientation: Students can attend eitherthe session onFriday, January 26, 4-6pm orthe session onSaturday, January 27, 2017, 10am – 12pm. This orientation will provide an overview of expectations on the practicum including deliverable dates, the role of the professor, and some skills -- understanding the consulting relationship, managing your client and defining your scope of work.
  • Scope of Work (or Terms of Reference):After approval by the client and professor, the statement of work is to be submitted to the Director of SIS Experiential Learning, Stephanie Fischer by February 5th. (While most of your SOWs will be completed before then, this is the final, drop dead date. And this does not mean that research only begins in February!)
  • Presentation Bootcamp: April 14, 15 and 16: Two student teams sign up for each 1-hour block. While presentations do not have to be final by this point, there should be enough content to critique.Bootcamp participation is voluntary.
  • AU Presentations: The schedule for internal presentations to the AU community will be worked out during the Semester.
  • Final Client Presentations: Week of April 25th

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the practicum, you will be able to:

  • Research and conceptualize a problem, define the scope of the project and break it down into workable components (Analytic).
  • Work effectively as a team member by identifying key tasks, sharing responsibility for the project, and ensuring all deadlines are met (Teamwork and Project Management).
  • Establish a positive working relationship with a client by understanding the client’s needs and deadlines, follow up with client requests, and managing expectations (Client Relations).
  • Deliver an organized, articulate presentation to the client with effective remarks and graphical aids (Oral Presentation skills).
  • Prepare a professional, cleanly written document that identifies the problem and offers thoughtful analysis and recommendations (Written Presentation).

Course Policy

In addition to being an important capstone project, the practicum also serves a visible statement of the School of International Service and its Master’s students to outside public and private organizations. As such, it is important that students conduct themselves at the highest professional level. Students selected for practica are expected to fully participate in the program from the earliest stages to the final report. It is expected that practica students serve as responsible team members who are involved in project management, respectful of team deadlines, and conscientious of the larger needs of the team. Students must also respect the client relationship and the terms set forth in client agreement letters regarding client records, personnel, confidentiality or non-disclosure requirements. Students who do not conduct themselves in a professional manner will be removed from the practica and receive a failing grade for the course.

Course Assignments and Grades

Final grades for the course will be based on class-related assignments (75%) as well as the client’s own assessment (25%).

The class-related assignments include the following:

1)Preparatory assignments (15%). These assignments include an agreed statement of work with the sponsoring client, a work plan and schedule for the team, and an initial bibliography of sources consulted by the team relevant to the project. Preparatory assignments also include all in-class presentations and participation. The assignments are due on the dates indicated in the course schedule.Late submissions may result in the reduction by 1/3 of a letter grade for each day it is late. Students who are unable to attend an on- or off-campus meeting must let their instructor know ahead of time via email.

2)Oral Presentation (20%). Students will present their initial practical report first to the AU community (invitees to be determined by the students and the professor) and then to their client. Participation is mandatory and an unexcused absence will result in lowering the final grade by a single grade point. The final grade will be based on faculty feedback of the AU community presentation and the professor’s assessment of the final presentation given to the client, as well as any preliminary presentations requested by the instructor. The oral presentations will include a PowerPoint, Keynote, Timeshare or Prezi presentation with effective graphics, data, analysis and recommendations.

3)Written Report (25%). The final paper will generally be 25 pages in length, not including a separate 2-page executive summary. The final page count will depend on the client needs and approval by the instructor. A separate handout will be provided in the course detailing the report requirements (font, charts, appendices, etc.).

4)Team Evaluation of Individual Performance (15%). Each member of the team will also be evaluated by other team members for their contribution to the project. The instructor will provide an evaluation form to all team members near the end of the semester.

5)Client Assessment (25%).The client assessment will be through a separate evaluation form provided by the instructor to the client representative. The client will evaluate the team based on its performance, communications, stakeholder management and the quality of the final oral and written reports.

Grade scale

A 100-94

A-93-90

B+89-87

B86-83

B-82-80

C+79-77

C76-73

C-72-70

D69-60

F59 or lower

Please note that an “A” grade denotes a truly excellent performance and work that is original, insightful, critical, clear, and well-written. It indicates that the team has worked effectively and successfully to martial the talents of each member. A “B” is solid work that is well organized and goes beyond minimum requirements. It reflects a good command of the material, with instances of higher level thinking and intellectual engagement. It will also indicate the degree to which the team has worked effectively. A “C” reflects a lack of higher level thinking, intellectual originality, clear organization, and teamwork. A “D” indicates that minimum course requirements were not fully met. An “F” means the minimum course requirements were not met. Students require a B or above on their capstone in order to be eligible to graduate.

Academic and Other Support Services

The Practicum will provide students with “real world experience” in navigating the challenges associated with working with clients, working in teams, and meeting demanding deadlines. Students may also discover that you need additional expertise in their substantive area and/or in their methodological approach. The instructor is available to mentor students throughout their work on the Practicum. She/he may put students in touch with other “experts” on campus or elsewhere to assist them with particular issues that may arise. It is very important that students address issues early on and maintain a positive and pro-active attitude. In general, clients should not be approached to provide guidance on analytical matters that the team is expected to possess or obtain, such as statistical methods, collaborative software tools, application programs, and basic concepts in international relations theory or the topics area of the Practicum.

Students may also face other academic challenges. There is a wide range of services is available to support themhere at American University. These include:

  • Academic Support and Access CenterMGC 243;tel. 202-885-3360supports the academic development and educational goals of all AU students while also providing support to students with disabilities. We offer workshops on topics of interest to all students such as time management, note taking, critical thinking, memory skills, and test taking. Additional support includes free private and group tutoring in many subjects, supplemental instruction, The Math Lab andThe Writing Lab.
  • Counseling CenterMGC 214; tel. 202-885-3500is here to help students make the most of their university experience, both personally and academically. We offer individual and group counseling, urgent care, self-help resources, referrals to private care, as well as programming to help you gain the skills and insight needed to overcome adversity and thrive while you are in college. Contact the Counseling Center to make and appointment in person or by telephone, or visit the Counseling Center page on the AU website for additional information.
  • Center for Diversity & InclusionMGC 201 & 202; tel. 202-885-3651is dedicated to enhancing LGBTQ, Multicultural, First Generation, and Women's experiences on campus and to advance AU's commitment to respecting & valuing diversity by serving as a resource and liaison to students, staff, and faculty on issues of equity through education, outreach, and advocacy.
  • OASIS: The Office of Advocacy Services for Interpersonal and Sexual Violence Hughes Hall 105; tel. 202-885-3276provides free and confidential advocacy services for anyone in the campus community who experiences sexual assault, dating or domestic violence or stalking.
    American University expressly prohibits any form of discriminatory harassment including sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The university is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual's genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws in its programs and activities.
    If you experience any of the above, you have the option of filing a report with theAU Department of Public Safety202-885-2527 or theOffice of the Dean of . Please keep in mind that all faculty and staff - with exception of counselors in the Counseling Center, victim advocates in the Wellness Center, medical providers in the Student Health Center, and ordained clergy in the Kay Spiritual Life Center - who are aware of or witness this conduct are required to report this information to the university, regardless of the location of the incident.
  • The Writing Center,Room off of first floor commons inBender Libraryoffers free, individual coaching sessions to all AU students. In your 45-minute session, a student writing consultant can help you address your assignments, understand the conventions of academic writing, and learn how to revise and edit your own work. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday;11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Friday. Call 202-885-2991 to arrange a session. Meanwhile find handouts, information, and a weekly writer's blog at the Writing Center website and on Facebook.
  • International Student & Scholar Services, Butler Pavilion, Room 410, tel. 202-885-3350, has resources to support academic success and participation in campus life including academic counseling,support for second language learners, response to questions about visas, immigration status and employment and intercultural programs, clubs and other campus resources.

Academic Integrity

Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the University's Academic Integrity Code (see By registering, students have acknowledged their awareness of the Academic Integrity Code, and they are obliged to become familiar with their rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will not be treated lightly, and disciplinary actions will be taken should such violations occur. Students should consult their instructor if they have any questions about the academic violations described in the Code in general or as they relate to particular requirements for this course.

Emergency Preparedness

Should the university be required to close for a period of time, we are committed to ensuring that all aspects of our educational programs will be delivered to our students. These may include altering and extending the duration of the traditional term schedule to complete essential instruction in the traditional format and/or use of distance instructional methods. Specific strategies will vary from class to class, depending on the format of the course and the timing of the emergency. Faculty will communicate class-specific information to students via AU e-mail and Blackboard, while students must inform their faculty immediately of any absence due to illness. Students are responsible for checking their AU e-mail regularly and keeping themselves informed of emergencies. In the event of a declared pandemic or other emergency, students should refer to the AU Web site ( and the AU information line at (202) 885-1100 for general university-wide information, as well as contact their faculty and/or respective dean’s office for course and school/ college-specific information.

Course Schedule

Week 1 – Week of January 15 – First class is January 17. The Practicum: Topics, Teams, Logistics and Expectations

Week 2 – Week of January 22 – First Team Prezi presentations due. Class and Team Meetings.

Practica Orientation Sessions with Stephanie Fischer: Jan. 26, 2017 (3:00pm to 5:00pm) or Jan. 28, 2017 (5:00pm – 6:30pm) in Letts Formal

Week 3 – Week of January 29 – Class and Team Meetings.

Scope of work and workplan due

Week 4 – Week of February 5 – Class and Team Meetings.

Initial Annotated bibliography due

Week 5 – Week of February 12 - Class and Team Meetings.

Week 6 – Week of February 19 – Class and Team Meetings.

Week 7 – Week of February 26 – Class and Team Meetings.

Week 8 – Week of March – Class and Team Meetings.

Week 9 – Week of March 12– Spring Break – No Class

Week 10 – Week of March 19–Class and Team Meetings.

Week 11 – Week of March 26 – Class and Team Meeting.

Week 12 – Week of April 2– Class and Team Meetings

Week 13 – Week of April 4 – Class and Team Meetings

Voluntary Practica Boot Camp Sessions

Week 14 – Week of April 9 - Practice Oral Presentations in Class

Week 15 – Week of April 16- Practice Oral Presentations in Class and before the AU Community

Client Presentations- Week of April 23 – Exact dates to be determined by clients in consultation with students

Report Due. Written reports due one week prior to presentations to clients.

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