Sociology & Ethnic Studies
 
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Sociology Directed Studies

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Sociology 385 - DIRECTED STUDIES (UC:CSU) - 3 Units

These projects require: a nonjudgmental attitude, good listening, written, and communication skills.

Contact Dr. Mike Vivian for information or upon enrollment (818-947-2812).

Section 1: Child Abuse Prevention Project – 3 units (Soc 385) Learn how to lead support groups on the internet for survivors of child abuse and domestic violence. Become a certified chat room support group facilitator, trained in crisis intervention, group process, child abuse, and domestic violence issues at International Child Abuse Network. Completion of 60 hours of training will enable students to facilitate support groups over the internet for individuals from all over the world who have been abused. 12:30-4 PM Saturday for 10 weeks. Supervision by a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist. After training, assigned 3 hours 10 minutes per week (time to be arranged) on any day or night of the week. Students may work online from their homes. ICAN seeks a one year commitment from volunteers. A detailed descriptive and analytical journal will be due at the end of the semester. Orientation meeting usually takes place on the third Tuesday (6:45-8:45) or the third Friday (12:30-3 PM) of the semester, in BSc 103. Click here to visit the International Child Abuse Network website.
Section 2: Golden Age Project – 3 units (Soc 385) Become involved in an elderly person’s life and enrich your own at the same time at Sherman Village Health Center. Assigned 3 hours 10 minutes per week (time to be arranged) any time slot between 10 AM – 8 PM seven days a week. Readings and tests on the sociology of aging, plus a detailed descriptive and analytical journal will be due at the end of the semester. Orientation meeting usually takes place on the third Friday of the semester, 12:30-3 PM, BSc 103.
Section 3: Elementary, Middle, & High School Tutorial Project – 3 units (Soc 385) Supervised students will act as tutors, mentors, and role models for local elementary, middle, and high schools. TB Test required ($8 at LAVC Student Health Center). Students subject to a background check. Assigned 3 hours 10 minutes per week (time to be arranged). Both school hours and some after-school hours available, Mon-Fri (Total course hours - 50). Readings and tests based upon the sociology of education, plus a detailed descriptive and analytical journal will be due at the end of the semester. Orientation meeting usually takes place on the third Friday of the semester, 12:30-3 PM, BSc 103.
Section 4 - Government Involvement Project – 1, 2, or 3 units (Soc 185/285/385) Get involved in a government internship through this project. Student government, LA City, State Assembly, and State Senate positions available. Analyze your experience through a sociological perspective. Students must complete* hours of involvement in governmental activities and write a detailed descriptive journal that is due at the end of the semester. Orientation meeting usually takes place on the third Friday 9/19/08, 12:30-3 p.m. BSc 103. Contact instructor immediately upon enrollment and for any questions at (818) 947-2812. * 1 unit = 18 hours; 2 units = 36 hours; 3 units = 54 hours.
Section 5: Rape Crisis Advocate Project – 3 units (Soc 385) Become a state certified Rape Crisis Advocate through the Valley Trauma Center. Assist survivors of rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence on the crisis hotline and/or during the traumatic ordeal of their hospital rape exam. Students must complete 45 hours of training on three consecutive weekends (Fri. nights and all day Sat. & Sun.). Advocates take a 6 ½ hour weekly shift. Must also attend a 2 hour (time to be arranged) group supervision meeting every other week, attend eight 2 hour in-service trainings per year, and 10 hours community outreach work per year. Valley Trauma Center requires a one year commitment to commence after training. It is strongly advised that students must call Valley Trauma Center at (818) 756-5330 to be interviewed for acceptance into the training program. A detailed descriptive and analytical journal will be due at the end of the semester for a grade. Orientation meeting usually takes place on the third Tuesday (6:45-8:45) or the third Friday (12:30-3 PM) of the semester, in BSc 103. Training usually starts in early October (for Fall). Click here to visit the Valley Trauma Center website.
Section 6: Suicide Prevention Project – 3 units (Soc 385) The Didi Hirsch CMC Suicide Precention Center in West L.A. needs volunteers ages 21 and older for its 24 hour crisis line. Volunteers fluend in Spanish and English are especially needed. No previous experience necessary and shift choices are flexible. Potential volunteers are asked to attend three separate shifts to their choice to become familiar with the workings of the crisis line. Volunteers work a minimum of one four hour shift per week. The volunteer commitment lasts a minimum of 1 year after training. Volunteers answer and document crisis line calls, as well as assist with training new volunteers. Volunteers may also participate in other programs such as the Survivors After Suicide program, the Adolescent Suicide Prevention Project, and the Speakers Bureau. A detailed descriptive and analytical journal is due at the end of the term for a grade. Training provided on 7 Saturdays, usually starting on the first Saturday of the semester. It is strongly advised that students call David Smith, Training Coordinator at (310) 895-2325 or visit www.suicidepreventioncenter.org to be interviewed for advanced acceptance into the program. Orientation meeting usually takes place on the first Tuesday of the semester at 6:45pm in BSC 103.
Section 7: Golden Age Project– 3 units (Soc 385) Become involved in an elderly person’s life and enrich your own at the same time at either the Sherman Village Care Health Center in North Hollywood or the Bernardi Senior Center in Van Nuys. Volunteers assigned 3 hours 10 minutes time-slot per week. TBA (time-to-be-arranged) hours available between 8am to 5 pm., seven days a week. Readings and tests based upon the sociology of aging, plus a detailed descriptive and analytical journal will be due at the end of the semester for a grade. Total course hours = 54. Orientation meeting usually takes place on the third Friday of the semester, 12:30-3 p.m., BSC 103.
Section 8: Elder Abuse Prevention Project – 3 units (Soc 385) Become an Advocate for Conserved Elders (ACE). Help an elderly person to live their remaining years with dignity and respect. Elders are provided a special advocate (i.e., student) who collaborates with the Superior /Court’s Probate Investigations Office to help reduce or prevent abuse and neglect of seniors and other dependent adults. After 16 hours of training, fingerprinting and passing a background check, ACE volunteers visit conservatees twice a month to monitor their care, well-being, health and safety in their long-term care facility. (Exact training date to be announced). ACE advocates will be placed near where they live or near LAVC for their convenience. Must be 21 years or over, be very responsible and organized, have good communication and problem-solving skills, as well as be sensitive to people with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds. It is strongly advised calling ACE at (310) 394-9871 x445 to be interviewed for advance acceptance into the training program. Students may request information at lmestman@wiseandhealthyaging.org or visit www.wiseandhealthyaging.org T.B. Test required. ($8 at LAVC Student Health Center by appointment on Mon. or Tues.). ACE seeks a 1 year commitment from volunteers and on-going training of not less than 12 hours per year be attending in-service trainings and case review sessions. Readubg and tests based upon the sociology of aging, plus a detailed descriptive and analytical journal will be due at the end of the semester for a grade. Total course hours = 54. Orientation meeting usually takes place on the third Friday of the semester, 12:30-3pm, BSC 103.
Section 9: Independent Projects – 3 units (Soc 385) Allows student to participate in the directed study of some aspect of human behavior in which the student is interested. Contact instructor immediately upon enrollment at (818) 947-2812. Orientation meeting usually takes place on the third Friday of the semester, 12:30-3 p.m., BSC 103.

Check the current Schedule of Classes for exact dates and section numbers for enrollment!

(Los Angeles Valley College and its departments have made every effort to maintain accurate web pages and may change general information, courses, or programs offered. Changes may be made for the following reasons: student enrollment, level of funding, or other issues as determined by the College or the Los Angeles Community College District. Consult the current LAVC Course Catalog for program and course information.)

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