Class Time: Tuesdays 3:30-5:45pm, SB 215

Instructor: Jammie Price

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am-11:30am, 1:30-3:30pm, Wednesdays 9:30-11:30am
Other times by appointment
NO OFFICE HOURS:  1/12, 2/5, 2/10, 2/11, 2/18, 3/4

E-mail: pricej@uncw.edu, Phone: 962-3590

Course Web Page: http://people.uncw.edu/pricej/teaching/internprac/

Prerequisites

Sociological Data Analysis (SOC 300)                   Applied Sociology Seminar (SOC 310/390) (C or better)  
Methods of Social Research (SOC 301)                 Social Theory (SOC 360)  
Junior or senior standing                                       Instructor consent  
Submission and approval of a proposal in the semester prior to the practicum  

Course Description:  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 or an internship. 

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.  In an internship, students gain hands-on experience in applying sociology by working with a manager or supervisor in a large, established organization, business, or government agency.  While completing a practicum or an internship, students also acquire job contacts and learn how to market themselves.  In short, practicums and internships help make sociology practical and economically rewarding and they provide an opportunity to make a difference in the real world.

In this course, students complete either a practicum or an internship.  During weekly seminars, students share practicum and internship experiences, receiving advice and guidance from the other students and the instructor.  During the seminar, students will receive instruction on the writing, researching, and presenting their final report.  Further, during the seminar, students will discuss jobs they plan to apply for, listen to guest speakers discuss their career trajectories, and receive professional socialization.

For approximately 10-15 hours each week outside of class (depending on whether you are registered for 3 or 6 credits), students work on providing an answer to a client’s problem. This work includes reading published materials on related topics, designing a study, collecting, analyzing and interpreting data, and writing reports.  With the exception of collecting data, most of the practicum work occurs at school, libraries, computer labs, or students’ homes.  However, students need to communicate with their client regularly and possibly work with the client at the client’s workplace occasionally.

Participation: What students get out of this course depends on what they put into it.  To that end, students must attend class prepared to discuss their experiences and readings.  Participation is worth 25% of the final grade. Attendance is required in order to participate in the course.

Projects and Assignments: The main project is to produce a final 10-15 page report for the client, instructor, and department (as described above).  To that end, throughout the semester, students submit sections of the final report for review and revision.  All sections of the report must be typed, double-spaced and written in complete sentences with no spelling errors.  The final report is worth 25% of the final grade. The report includes the following sections: Problem Statement, Literature Review, Methods, Results, and Discussion. The Problem Statement serves as an introduction, describing the client’s problem or issue and providing the social context in which the problem or issue exists.  The Literature Review discusses existing sociological knowledge on, or related to, the problem or issue.  The Methods section identifies what sociological skills and tools students 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. Students submit the report to the client and the practicum coordinator, and present the report at a department conference attended by clients, students, and faculty. Using Power Point, students will present drafts of report sections in class. The final presentation to the department and clients will be worth 10% of the final grade.

Clients will also evaluate students’ work habits after spring break.  This evaluation is worth 15% of the final grade.  

Each week, you are expected to bring in a job ad and a draft of a tailored resume and cover letter that you will submit for employment.  You will also make a website for your resume and cover letter. These ads, resumes, cover letters, and website are worth 25% of your final grade.  Ads, resumes, and cover letters (one each week) are worth 20% of your final grade (no late work accepted).  Your website is worth 5% of your final grade.

Exams:  None.

Texts and Resources:  Our primary text will be the information you gather and read to complete your reports.   All course material, instructions, assignments, lecture notes, schedule, etc.. are available on my website website (http://people.uncw.edu/pricej/teaching/internprac/).  Please consult this website regularly, and definitely before class each week.  Throughout the semester, I may also make recommendations for you to purchase and read books on career advancement.  You will not be evaluated on your comprehension of these books, though they will likely assist your career outcomes. 

Grades: At the end of the semester, I will assign participation grades, final grades on reports and presentations, and client evaluations using the following point system.   

I will enter the above points into the following formula to calculate final points:

Final Points = Participation Points (.25) + Final Report Points (.25)  +  Final Presentation Points (.10) + Client Evaluation Points (.15)  + Job Ads, Resumes, Cover Letters  (.20) + Website (.05) 

Student Honor Code: I expect you to abide by the policies on academic integrity as set forth in Section V of the UNCW Student Handbook and Code of Student Life which prohibits cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty including any unauthorized collaboration or assistance on any text, assignment, or project.  If this code is violated, I will follow the procedures identified in the Student Handbook and Code of Student Life. 

Additional Resources: The Learning Center offers a variety of academic services to students including individual tutoring, study skills and test taking skills, and writing and reading skills.  All of these services are available to you at no cost. The Student Development Center offers a variety of services to students including stress management, counseling, and special services for students with learning disabilities. These are available to you at no cost.   If you have a disability which requires special accommodations, please let me know.  You should also seek assistance from the Office of Disability Services.