Regardless of your area of interest, you\u2019ll find a wide range of research and internship opportunities in Furman\u2019s Sociology Department. Hands-on research and professional experience are built into the Sociology major at Furman, and all students explore a professional field firsthand as part of our capstone course. Through these experiences, students to develop research skills and reflect on how their Furman education can prepare them for life and work after graduation.<\/p>\n
Our faculty encourage students to take part in both collaborative and independent research projects, and Furman students regularly present their papers at regional and national conferences. Student may also deepen their engagement through Furman’s summer research and internship fellowship programs.<\/p>\n
Research is also built into the Sociology major.\u00a0 In our quantitative research sequence (SOC 302-303), student dive deeply into the research process over the course of a full academic year.\u00a0 They develop research questions, design and carry out independent or partnered research projects on topics of their choice, and learn the statistical tools they need to analyze their data.\u00a0 Their work culminates in a research presentation at Furman Engaged, the university-wide celebration of undergraduate research and internships.<\/p>\n
In our qualitative research course (SOC 304), students use methods such as interviews and ethnography to investigate important social questions.\u00a0 Working both collaboratively and independently, they learn how to collect and analyze qualitative data to better understand the social world.<\/p>\n
Past research projects conducted by our majors include:<\/p>\n
Across our research experiences, students learn to conduct research ethically and responsibly, including how to protect the people who participate in their research and how to handle research data with care. If you are conducting research with human subjects you must submit an Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposal to the IRB. You can find the IRB proposal forms on the Institutional Review Board website<\/a>. As part of this process, you will submit an informed consent form. To create a consent form for your research, review the following examples of Informed Consent Forms<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our internship placement process begins with you. Faculty work with students to identify career paths that connect with their interests and to explore internship opportunities with organization in related fields, ranging from social services and law to media, government, and nonprofit work. Students benefit from Furman\u2019s extensive network of internships and professional connections in Greenville and beyond.<\/p>\n Professional exploration is also built into the Sociology major. As part of our capstone course (SOC 465), students explore a professional field firsthand, connecting with professionals and reflecting on how the skills and perspectives they have developed as sociology majors can translate to life and work after Furman.<\/p>\n Gain practical experience in a variety of local social service agencies by enrolling in an individualized internship (SOC 504).\u00a0 Interns complete at least 120 hours of on-site activities relating to their internship objectives, participate in scheduled seminar meetings, workshops, and field research exercises, and meet regularly with the internship director and agent supervisor.<\/p>\nInternship Opportunities<\/h2>\n
Internship for Course Credit<\/h3>\n
Summer Research & Internships Fellows<\/h3>\n