SOC 492/496: Practicum in Applied Sociology (6 credits)

Memorandum of Understanding

 

Introduction

Applied sociology is the science of using sociology to inform real life social issues. Students with a bachelor’s degree in sociology with an applied concentration learn valuable skills that will be directly transferable in today’s job market. A crucial step in learning how to do applied sociology is completing a practicum. In a practicum, students gain hands on experience in applying sociology by working with clients in the local community on specific social problems and issues. While completing the practicum, students also acquire job contacts and learn how to market themselves. In short, practicums help make sociology practical and economically rewarding and they provide an opportunity to make a difference in the real world.

 

Examples of Projects

  1. Evaluation of a sex education program (multi-method)
  2. Development of cultural and political organizations (strategic planning)
  3. Evaluation of a drug education program (multi-method)
  4. Assessment of professional training needs among UNCW SACJ alumni (mail surveys)
  5. Assessment of hurricane preparedness among the elderly (interviews, analysis)

 

Prerequisites

Sociological Data Analysis (SOC 300) Applied Sociology Seminar (SOC 310/390)

Methods of Social Research (SOC 301) Social Theory (SOC 360)

Junior or senior standing Instructor consent

Submission of a practicum proposal in the semester prior to the practicum.

 

Course Requirements

1. Students receive advice and support from the faculty practicum coordinator as well as the other practicum students in a weekly three hour seminar. During this time students also learn about job opportunities and how to market themselves.

2. For approximately 18 hours each week outside of class, the student works on providing an answer to the client’s problem/issue. This work includes reading published materials on related topics, designing the study, collecting data, analyzing and interpretating data, and writing reports. With the exception of collecting data, most of the practicum work occurs in the student’s "office", at home, the library, and computer labs. However, the student needs to communicate with their client regularly and possibly work with the client at the client’s workplace occasionally.

  1. At the end of the semester, the student submits a 10 page project report. This report includes the following sections: Problem Statement, Literature Review, Methods, Results, and Discussion. The Problem Statement describes the client’s problem or issue and provides the social context in which this problem or issue exists. The Literature Review discusses existing sociological knowledge about the problem or related issues. The Methods section identifies what sociological skills and tools the student used to answer the problem or address the issue. The Results section explains the outcomes of the methods. The Discussion uses existing sociological knowledge to make sense of the results, and outlines any limitations of the project. The student submits the report to the client and the practicum coordinator, and presents the report at a department conference attended by clients, students, and faculty.

Procedure

  1. The student discusses their interests with the practicum coordinator early in the semester prior to the practicum. Assisted by the practicum coordinator, the student investigates practicum opportunities.
  2. Once a practicum opportunity is identified, the student and the practicum coordinator communicate with the client to negotiate a project.
  3. At the end of this semester, the student submits a practicum proposal to the practicum coordinator. (See attached form.)
  4. The practicum coordinator reviews the proposal. If approved, the student registers for the Practicum Course (SOC 496).

SOC 492/496 Proposal Practicum in Applied Sociology

 

Student Name ____________________________________________

Student ID _______________________________________________

Student Phone #___________________________________________

Student e-mail_____________________________________________

Semester SOC 496 to be taken_________________

Prerequisites completed? YES NO

Sociological Data Analysis (SOC 300)

Methods of Social Research (SOC 301)

Applied Sociology Seminar (SOC 310/390)

Social Theory (SOC 360)

Type a one to two page proposal describing the project.* Indicate the following:

    1. Problem Statement
    2. Proposed Methods
    3. Client’s Expectations of student

*Proposals written in the Applied Sociology Seminar can substitute.