INDG 6700: Practicum Field Placement
Introduction
Students are required to work or carry out research with a First Nations Community or an Indigenous Organization, with a focus on community or organizational needs. This course is normally completed over the fall or winter of the third year after their proposal has been completed and submitted for defence.
A practicum field placement provides a unique opportunity for students to gain practical employment experience and to assist in providing a service to the community/organization. The practicum is normally unpaid. However, if a community or organization wishes to cover travel and expenses for the student, compensation is permitted if it does not compromise the spirit of the arrangement (i.e. the student giving their time and support to the organization or community). This practicum is designed to provide students with an opportunity for work placement and to enable student research while assisting a community or Indigenous organization. A key objective is to immerse the student in the culture of the community or the organization.
Placement Proposal
The Director of Studies oversees the establishment of the practicum field placement and students are expected to meet with the Director of Studies early in the first year to discuss placement possibilities. The student develops a proposal for the placement, outlining the proposed organization, goals and objectives, and the proposed practicum protocol. The proposal should be submitted (with the attached form) to the Director of Studies as soon as possible to ensure the placement is set up in time for the student to participate. Approval for the proposed practicum rests with the Director of Studies.
Practicum Protocol
A Letter of Agreement is required from the community/organization, identifying a supervisor or contact person. Students are expected to provide a written statement of the work to be undertaken, including a work plan and expected dates for completion of the practicum. The student’s practicum field supervisor (i.e. the person who is overseeing the practicum on a day to day basis in the organization or community) must provide a letter to the Direct of Studies that details the student’s work and what was accomplished during the practicum.
Duration
The time commitment will be approximately five weeks in duration and done on a part-time basis of two days per week (fall or winter term) of the third year in the program. Students may alternatively do their practicum in the summer of the second year on a full-time basis if it does not interfere with the comprehensive exam or dissertation proposal process.
Assignments and Evaluation
- A Subjective Paper - A reflection on what has been learned and what practical experience has been gained (25% ).
- The Major Project or Assignment - The assigned practicum project completed for the organization/community, including a written evaluation provided by the field supervisor (50%).
- An Oral Presentation - A presentation of the work completed. Students are also encouraged to keep a written journal, logging both hours worked and activities (25%).
Possible Practicum Locations
On Campus
- First People's House of Learning (Speak to Dawn Laval Harvard)
- IESS Institutive or TRACKS (Speak to Chris Furgal)
- Boodweh Centre for Indigenous Language and Culture (Speak to Liz Osawamick)
- Enwayaang Professional Development Centre (Speak to Kevin Fitzmaurice)
Off Campus
- Niijkiwendidaa Anishinaabekwewag Services Circle
- Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre
- MNO Peterborough and District Wapati Metis Council
The Process for Completing the Practicum:
- Attend the information session on the practicum offered in January of the first year
- Meet with the Director of Studies early in term two of year one to discuss options for a practicum
- Research available options in the region or alternatively investigate other possibilities away from campus.
- Complete the online practicum proposal form and print and submit one copy to the Academic Program Assistant by:
- January 31 (for a summer term start)
- April 30 (for a fall term start)
- Sept 30 (for a winter term start)
- Confirm with the Director of Studies that your practicum has been approved and you are ok to move forward with it. Practicums cannot move forward without the approval (in the form of signatures on the practicum form) by the Director of Studies and the supervisor from the community or organization you will be working with. The form with the signatures must be submitted to the Academic Program Assistant prior to beginning the practicum.
- Register for the practicum (only register for the term in which you will be completing the practicum)
- Complete the practicum
- Submit your subjective paper to the Academic Program Assistant
- Ask the practicum supervisor from the Community or Organization to submit a report to the Academic Program Assistant that provides details on the work completed
- Set up a presentation with the Academic Program Assistant where your experiences from the practicum are shared with the Director of Studies (note that presentations are sometimes attended by members of your cohort as well as faculty in the program).