Start Date
6-6-2017 12:00 AM
Description
Short Abstract:
UW-Stout’s Applied Social Science (APSS) Program focuses on applied research while students make community impacts through courses, co-ops, service learning, and internships (including work on faculty and client-based projects). This presentation will share lessons learned from guiding students through applied research and suggestions for designing social science curriculum.
Full Abstract:
This presentation shares lessons from integrating applied research into the Applied Social Science (APSS) Program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. APSS is unique, combining anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, sociology, and social work; and we train problem solvers through diverse learning experiences. The program aims at student learning outcomes including: 1) synthesizing methods and theories from multiple disciplinary perspectives; 2) designing appropriate research; and 3) using knowledge, research, and analysis to address social problems. Along with more traditional coursework, the program focuses on applied research and providing students with opportunities to problem-solve and make positive impacts through course work, co-ops, internships, and research-focused service learning and study abroad trips. Faculty research also includes students, and the Social Science Research Center provides opportunities to work on client-based projects. Two National Science Foundation-funded projects (the LAKES Research Experience for Undergraduates Program and “Exploring, Documenting, and Improving Humanitarian Service Learning through Engineers Without Borders USA”) include students in all aspects of data collection and analysis. Using examples from these projects, as well as student-designed and service learning projects, lessons from guiding students through applied research will be shared, and suggestions for designing social science curriculum to include such experiences will be provided.
Teaching Social Science at a Polytechnic: Applied Interdisciplinary Research and Community Engagement
Short Abstract:
UW-Stout’s Applied Social Science (APSS) Program focuses on applied research while students make community impacts through courses, co-ops, service learning, and internships (including work on faculty and client-based projects). This presentation will share lessons learned from guiding students through applied research and suggestions for designing social science curriculum.
Full Abstract:
This presentation shares lessons from integrating applied research into the Applied Social Science (APSS) Program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. APSS is unique, combining anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, sociology, and social work; and we train problem solvers through diverse learning experiences. The program aims at student learning outcomes including: 1) synthesizing methods and theories from multiple disciplinary perspectives; 2) designing appropriate research; and 3) using knowledge, research, and analysis to address social problems. Along with more traditional coursework, the program focuses on applied research and providing students with opportunities to problem-solve and make positive impacts through course work, co-ops, internships, and research-focused service learning and study abroad trips. Faculty research also includes students, and the Social Science Research Center provides opportunities to work on client-based projects. Two National Science Foundation-funded projects (the LAKES Research Experience for Undergraduates Program and “Exploring, Documenting, and Improving Humanitarian Service Learning through Engineers Without Borders USA”) include students in all aspects of data collection and analysis. Using examples from these projects, as well as student-designed and service learning projects, lessons from guiding students through applied research will be shared, and suggestions for designing social science curriculum to include such experiences will be provided.