Experiential Learning
The sociology program offers a number of experiential courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level that provide students with real-world experiences that allow students to learn while engaging in unique and hands on experiences. Many of the skills learned and experiences in these classes translate well to various career settings.
Courses with experiential learning components include:
Identity Work and Women’s Reentry Experience SOC 420/ 520
Though this class is traditional in terms of course structure in many ways, it takes place off campus. Students from the university setting attend classes at a women’s prison and learn alongside students who are incarcerated.
Social Ethnography SOC 479/579
Sociological Ethnography explores ethnographic traditions of research and creative forms of data representation. Students have the opportunity to conduct and write their own mini-ethnographies on an approved subject of their choosing, offering new ways to explore, understand, represent, and analyze the experience of everyday life in society
Qualitative Sociology SOC 480/ 580
Students are guided through independent interview research projects, starting with project inception, writing research questions, carrying out interviews, coding interviews and finally shaping their findings into a scholarly paper.
Sociology in Action SOC 493/593
In this course students work with local nonprofit organizations to address social justice issues by developing and executing research projects; students present the results in a way that will impact the community.
Internships SOC 497/ 697
Students complete a 120-hour internship at a job of their choice and receive course credits along the way. Alongside the internship, is an online course in which students share and reflect on their internship experience and complete job-enhancing activities such as resume development and informational interviews.
College Teaching Internships SOC 696
This graduate course prepares students to teach sociology in a community college setting. Students observe teaching, study pedagogy, and develop and teach their own sections of sociology courses.
