Sociology Department
Our department promotes internships, community engagement and the application of sociology to real-life social problems and their solutions.
Learning Opportunities / Internships
Internships and community engagement
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Internships for Community Outreach
This places students in the community to learn about the social service system, including the nature of welfare and other human service organizations. Some of the most popular internship placements include:
Schenectady Boys and Girls Club
Family Court
YWCA
NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Audubon Society
Ellis Hospital
Battered Women's Shelter
Schenectady Police Court Legal Advocacy
Schoharie River Center
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Family and Community Services
Through internship-focused courses such as SOC 359, SOC 362, and SOC 385--all led by Professor Kaplan--students have the opportunity to examine the responses of community organizations to family life, pressures, and problems. Particular issues include spouse and child abuse, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, day care, and family instability and mental health. Visits to community and human service organizations are arranged. Some of the most popular internship placements include:
Schenectady Boys and Girls Club
Family Court
YWCA
Battered Women's Shelter
Schenectady Police Court Legal Advocacy
Ellis Hospital
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Domestic Violence
Through internship-focused courses such as SOC 362: Family and Community Services, and SOC 385: Internships for Community Outreach, students have the opportunity to develop a sociological examination of issues and questions raised by violence within American families. The public definition of family violence, subjective experiences of abusers and victims, and social and individual causes and consequences of abuse, complexities and problems of social interventions. Some of the most popular internship placements include:
Family Court
YWCA
Battered Women's Shelter
Schenectady Police Court Legal Advocacy
Ellis Hospital
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Environmental Policy and Resource Management
Through internship-focused courses such as SOC 359: Environmental Policy and Resource Management, students have the opportunity to examine environmental issues and problems such as acid rain, ocean dumping, and nuclear waste, and the social forces that shape environmental policies. Students visit environmental organizations and environmental problem sites. Some of the most popular internship placements include:
NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Audubon Society
Schoharie River Center
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Environmental Seminar
The focus of this seminar is on the implementation of different environmental policies. Internships at the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation and local environmental organizations are part of this course.
Student research projects
A key component of faculty involvement in student education is the opportunity for students to work directly with faculty on research. The Department of Sociology has been particularly involved in collaborative research with students.
For example, Professor Kaplan has conducted research with Union students on fishing communities and marine life. They have worked together at Union and at the Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institute on Cape Cod. Her students have also conducted research with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and human service agencies in the Capital District of New York State.
Funded research opportunities
Financial support has come to many departmental majors through Union’s Undergraduate Research Programs. Some have used this money to conduct research in Arizona, Miami, Brazil and other off-campus sites. These funds have also supported students’ local research projects.
Lippman Hall 212/221
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