Public Sociology Capstones by Martin Tolich

Author:Martin Tolich [Tolich, Martin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780815360322
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2018-04-17T00:00:00+00:00

Sometime later, a serendipitous lightbulb moment came during my google search of US-based capstone courses. Online I found a letter that a now-retired California State University San Jose professor had sent his students. Professor Fallon’s letter, reproduced here (with his permission), was sent to students enrolling in his forthcoming capstone course. The letter describes the capstone but also warns the students of the expectation for a high work ethic.

While I appreciate the sentiment of the letter, I have not had reason to replicate a similar letter. As said above, the work ethic he describes being necessary for successful completion of the capstone comes naturally to the students in my Public Sociology Capstone. Nonetheless, the letter is an excellent overview of the scope and expectations of a capstone course.

An Introductory Letter to my SOCI-181B Capstone Students

Dear Sociology Capstone Student, August 2013

Welcome! I have tried to create a most meaningful course for you. I love teaching this CAP, and I hope you’ll value it too. A capstone intends to synthesize your four years of college/sociology education. It’s a culmination of learning, and a last chance to “figure things out”! It is also a preparation and a transition into your future, a changing future at that. The course as I conceive it has four over-arching focuses: Self-Knowledge, Sociological Imagination, Community Engagement, Professional Development.

As I teach, this is not your traditional course, there are few lectures, but much interaction. I deem this course akin to an actual job, a professional assignment that demands a professional performance; and you’ll be evaluated on that performance. In lieu of the 80-hour internship, the course incorporates a variety of campus & community experiences, and a minimum of 24+ hours of community engagement. A word of advice, strive to get off to a good start, because the workload increases significantly up to the end of your “work contract” which includes culminating all four years of your college experiences in a Learning PORTFOLIO.

Aware of your personal, social and WORK lives, this professor understands the demands upon your time; and respects your family commitments. I understand the high cost of education and your need to be employed. However, for this one last semester, this course needs to be a priority – over your social play, and yes, even over your work. Adjust your work to the demands of this course, it is a lesson in organization and time management! That said, today’s work environment is a looser, freer, more fluid process than the ‘9–5’, and accordingly I have structured the course much as “directed study.” Still, class is critical to keep on track, to participate with peers, to apply thinking skills and assess values, and to evaluate your directed study learning.

Seeing your graduation in the context of our times, I have a degree of angst for you, and am compelled to guide you, given my experience and wisdom. For many, the “American Dream” is diminishing, and as if you don’t know – life and career are NOT Business As Usual –

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