Internships and other forms of experiential learning are a valuable learning opportunity and resource for many students and perhaps even more so for those with special needs. Outside of the classroom, however, assisting students with special needs may present faculty with new questions and challenges as they navigate the transition to a community…

Describes a comparative health care systems program based in London which combines seminars, clinical site visits, and participant observation. Objective is for students to view health care systems through a sociological perspective using experiential learning and systems analysis. (Author/CK)

Focuses on the use of service learning and community-based learning (CBL) discussing six types of CBL in detail: (1) out-of-class activities; (2) volunteering; (3) service add-on; (4) internships; (5) service learning; and (6) service-learning advocacy. Addresses the benefits of service learning and other CBL initiatives. Includes references. (CMK)

Describes the Chicago Field Studies Program (Illinois) and its success in teaching social theory to students engaged in participant-observation. Explains how to integrate participant-observation into introductory sociology courses as a way to foster students' understanding of social theory using the students' personal experiences. (CMK)

Describes a brief, pre-internship, observation assignment that has increased student awareness and provided some of the same benefits as internships. Finds that student reactions and other data support pre-internships as an effective learning tool. Concludes that pre-internships are most beneficial when used in combination with long-term,…

Examines the academic potential internships offer sociology students and the reasons that many internships fail to achieve this potential. Discusses four components that provide structure to maximize learning within internships: (1) an appropriate site; (2) a learning agreement contract; (3) a concurrent seminar; and (4) a means for assessing…