LAVC Sociology & Ethnic Studies

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

Contact Professor Mike Vivian for information or upon enrollment (818-947-2812). See the current schedule of classes for enrollment section numbers.

Section 1: 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 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: 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 4: Rape Crisis Advocate Project – 3 units (Soc 385) Become a state certified Rape Crisis Advocate through the Valley Trauma Center. After completing 60 hours of training on four consecutive weekends (Fri nights, all day Sat & Sun), advocates take a 6 ½ hour weekly shift working on the hotline and/or assisting rape survivors through the ordeal of their hospital rape exam, including follow-up. 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 complete 10 hours community outreach work per year. Valley Trauma Center seeks a one year commitment from volunteers. A detailed descriptive and analytical journal will be due at the end of the semester. It is strongly advised that students must call Valley Trauma Center at (818) 756-5330 to be interviewed for acceptance into the training program. 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. Click here to visit the Valley Trauma Center website.