Dear Sociology Majors and Minors,

Welcome to Spring Semester! We have a ton of information for you this week. Whoo hoo! I hope you all had a stress-free and relaxing break. Now that we are getting back into the swing of things, please utilize your resources if you start to feel overwhelmed. Don’t burn yourself out too fast! Also, remember to dress warm while walking around campus! Have a great semester.

Upcoming Events & Programs

Think Like a Researcher

The UMN Libraries and Office of Undergraduate Research will again be offering “Think Like a Researcher” this winter as a free, mini course in Canvas. It is designed to help undergraduate students become comfortable with the research skills and tools needed to participate in a variety of faculty-sponsored research (such as UROP, volunteer, job, directed research, etc.).

Open to all colleges and majors. It takes 2-3 hours to complete on your own schedule. Please register by Monday, February 5th.

LING 5993: Directed Study Language and Food

What could be more central to our lives than language and food? We learn language and the tastes
(textures, smells, visual features, and sounds) we associate with food early in our lives, and both form
an important part of our identities. In this course we will explore the relation between food and language by analyzing actual conversations among people eating a variety of foods and talking in different languages.

3 credit-course, tentative time – Monday and Wednesday 11:15-12:30 OR Tuesday and Thursday 11:15-12:30

Contact Polly Szatrowski (szatr001@umn.edu) if you are interested in taking this class.

Jour 3761 – Social Media Management

Asynchronous course – completely online

This course is designed to help you understand the impact the rise of social media has had on organizations. The course has a broad focus on social media to orient social media management from a communication strategist’s standpoint. You will gain a clear perspective on audiences’ social interactions, various social media platforms available to businesses and nonprofits, current social media strategy practices, and tools for tracking effective engagement. You will also gain the practical skills necessary to develop digital communication strategies that achieve an organization’s goals.

Human Rights Program – Coffee Hours

All UMN students are welcome to the Human Rights Program (HRP) bi-weekly, student-led conversational Coffee Hours!  Participate in Working Group initiatives and learn how to make human rights change inside and outside of the classroom. The first meeting will be on Fri. Jan. 26, 1:00-3:00 pm at Bordertown Coffee!  Remaining semester dates:  Feb. 9 & 23; March 15 & 29; and April 12 & 26.  Complete this interest form to help HRP and Bordertown prepare.  Stay updated with HRP social media sites to learn about future HRP Working Group coffee hours and events!

SOC 4190: Genocide, Justice, and Memory in Rwanda

This course is a 3 credit embedded study abroad course that will be offered this May. The first week of this course will take place at the UMN followed by two weeks in Rwanda. During which students will visit genocide museums and memorials, speak with government entities and NGOs working to promote peace, and meet with individuals in a reconciliation village who survived the genocide and participated in it. Additionally, students will have many opportunities to engage with the local culture going to markets, art museums, a beanery, and even on a Safari at Akagera National Park (home of the Big 5).

Applications are open until February 28th. There will be a hybrid information session Wednesday, January 31st from 11:45-12:45 in SocSci 915. Here is the registration link.

CEA Program Information Session

We invite students to join our upcoming CEA Program Information Sessions (Online) to explore exciting opportunities and learn more about the Certificate of Election Administration Program (CEA) Program. 

During these sessions, they will gain valuable insights into the CEA program, explore the upcoming Spring course offerings, and have the opportunity to get your program-related questions answered. This is a chance to discover how they can play a crucial role in future elections in your community.

The next session is January, 24th from 12 – 1pm.Prospective students can RSVP with this link: https://choose.umn.edu/register/ceainfo

Employment, Internship, Research & Leadership Opportunities

Green Corps Organizer Program – The Field School for EnviRONMENTAL Organizing

We are looking for people who are concerned by the state of the environment and who want to do something about it. Our yearlong program has prepared recent college graduates for 30 years to launch a career in environmental organizing and advocacy by providing hands-on experience running campaigns with groups like the Wilderness Society, Endangered Species Coalition, Mighty Earth and more. We then connect our graduates to jobs in the environmental and social change movement.

Green Corps’ year-long program begins in August 2024 with introductory classroom training, and continues with field placements in multiple locations across the U.S. Candidates must be willing to relocate.

Learn more and apply on our website! Please contact Margaret Corcoran at margaret@greencorps.org with additional questions.

Undergrad Campus Job Opportunities

Know an undergrad looking for a campus job? Share this message with them! There are many different opportunities for student staff positions.

For more information, follow this link to see what is being offered.

Pre-Health OpporTUNITIES Fair

There is an upcoming career fair taking place next month on Thursday, February 15 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the 2024 Pre-Health Opportunities Fair. This fair will have 25+ on-campus departments and local organizations in attendance and is open to all UMN undergraduate students and early alumni.

This fair aims to connect students to organizations offering volunteering, shadowing, part-time jobs, internships, gap year programs, research, resources, and other valuable experiences to prepare them for health professional school programs. This fair is a great match for any pre-health students, including but not limited to those interested in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician’s assistant programs, physical therapy, genetic counseling, veterinary medicine, and other healthcare pathways! Attending exhibitors: z.umn.edu/2024-Attendees

Resources & Other Opportunities

Spring 2024 Food Insecurity Resources

The “Food Insecurity Resources for University of Minnesota Twin Cities Students” document has been updated for Spring Semester and is linked on Boynton Health’s Nutritious U Food Pantry webpage. Events with specific dates have also been added to the Events Calendar on the same page, which gives you the option to subscribe to the full calendar of program events if you wish. 

Human Rights Program – Hawkinson Scholarship

The Hawkinson Fund for Peace and Justice at Grace University Lutheran Church is seeking applications for their Hawkinson Scholarship.  The scholarship is awarded to both undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated a commitment to peace and justice.  Eligibility and Requirements:

  1. Applicants must be a resident of (or currently attending school in) Minnesota. DACA and international students attending school in Minnesota ARE eligible for the scholarship.
  2. Applicants must have received a high school diploma or GED before the due date of this application
  3. Scholarships are awarded without regard to religious affiliation

To apply, complete and email the application form.  Email questions.  Application Deadline:  March 11.

That is All For NoW!

Any Questions? Make an appointment or email us at socadvis@umn.edu