LET’S TALK: SOCIAL SCIENCES

Trent University

Orientation Week 2018

1

INTRODUCTIONS

• Academic Skills

• Academic Advising

• Careers

2

MY FIRST YEAR

3

ARTS SCIENCE

ARTS OR

SCIENCE

TRENT’S BACHELOR DEGREES

OTHER

4

COMMON ASSESSMENTS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE

• Annotated bibliographies

• Article summaries or precis

• Article, book, or film reviews

• Blog posts

• Case studies

• Critical reflections

• Discussion posts

• Lab reports

• Research papers

5

COMMON ASSESSMENTS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE

• Presentations/leading seminar

discussion

• Participation in seminar

• Multiple choice tests

• Short answer and essay exams

6

HOW TO THRIVE IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

• Learn the language of your discipline. Understand foundational theories.

• Focus on understanding human experiences and problems.

• Cultivate your inner skeptic. Question if and why things are the way we think they

are.

• Consider the best methods to collect data about social problems.

7

HOW TO THRIVE IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES: READING

• Amount of reading:

• Approximately 3 – 4 hours per week per course

• Types of reading:

• textbooks, argumentative articles, empirical studies, reports

• Reading process:

1. Skim or pre-read to understand controlling ideas

2. Read for understanding

3. Read critically

4. Reflect & take notes8

HOW TO THRIVE IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES: REVIEW

• Review throughout the term to understand

concepts and vocabulary and to practice skills:

• Weekly review – about ½ hour per week per course

• Review notes from readings and lectures – see connections

between them

• Terminology list or flash cards

• Practice questions (e.g. accounting, economics problems)

9

HOW TO THRIVE IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

• Time Management skills

• Plan for weekly readings, review and quizzes

• Manage your time to spread out major assignments

• Group work

• Establish group goals and roles

• Shared responsibility; collaborative analysis and writing

• Sharing and presenting ideas in class

10

HOW TO THRIVE IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

• Research

• Using journal databases to find scholarly sources

• Evaluating sources for relevance, validity

• Writing skills

• Following discipline-specific conventions of writing and citation

• Establishing a focal point for a paper (thesis) to which all evidence

and ideas connect

• Writing is specific, concise, and clear

11

Writing in the Social Sciences:

Synthesizing Evidence and Analysis

• Understanding a social science writing assignment

• How to research and use evidence

• How to create a thesis statement

Wednesday, September 26: 3 to 4 pm

OC 205

12

RESOURCES & SUPPORTS

1. Course supports: Prof. and/or T.A., syllabus, Blackboard

resources, help sessions/workshops

2. Academic Skills Online Resources

• How to write at university

• How to use sources

• How to study

3. Academic Skills Appointments

http://www.trentu.ca/academicskills/

13

EDUCATIONAL PLANNING

• Key notes on degree requirements in this division

• Exploration of related (or not) fields – Electives are important!

• Degree opportunities (joint-majors, minors)

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Indigenous Studies and Political Studies

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Anthropology and Economics

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in International Development Studies and minor in Business Administration

• Specializations and Options

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology and Specialization in Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Archaeology and Option in Indigenous Reconciliation and Resurgence

www.trentu.ca/calendar

14

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

• Experiential Learning

• Departmental – Theses, reading courses, field courses, internships and placements

• Trent Centre – Community-based research in Peterborough (local non-profits,

government agencies, arts organizations, and other groups)

• Study Abroad

• Exchange or Departmental Year abroad

• Departmental Guest Lectures and Lecture Series

https://www.trentu.ca/studyabroad

http://www.trentcentre.ca/

15

ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT

• Departmental connections:

• Departmental Office

• Department Websites

• Faculty and Research

• Graduate Students and TAs

• Clubs and Groups• Education Undergraduate Community at Trent

• Social Work Society

• Trent Accounting Society

• Trent Anthropology Society

• Trent Business Students Association

• Trent Debate Society

• Trent Game Development Club

• Trent Marketing Association

• Trent Pre-Law Society

• Trent Student Psychology Society

• Trent University Chess Club

• Trent University Politics Society

• Trent University Sociology Collective

https://www.trentu.ca/sociology

Administrative Assistant:

Brad Keizerwaard

sociology@trentu.ca

Academic Coordinator:

Beth Needham

bethneedham@trentu.ca

Otonabee College 220.1

Trent University

1600 West Bank Drive

Peterborough ON Canada K9J 7B8

Phone: (705) 748-1011 ex 7537

Fax: (705) 748-1213

E-mail: sociology@trentu.ca

Twitter: @TrentUSociology

16

GETTING HELP

• Instructors and TA’s

• Health and Wellness

• Health Clinic

• Counselling

• Student Accessibility Office

• Academic Advising

• Careers

• Peer Support

• Rebound

• Tutor Board

• PASS

myTrent - Supportwww.trentu.ca

17

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

First year: You can still be exploring and finding the fit between what

you like, what you are good at and what your options are:

Consider your

• interests

• skills

• values

• personality

18

EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONSWWW.TRENTU.CA/CAREERS

19

EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONSWWW.TRENTU.CA/CAREERS

20

DEVELOPING SKILLS

21

SKILLS EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR*

1. Problem-solving

2. Ability to work in a team

3. Communication Skills (written)

4. Leadership

5. Strong work ethic

6. Analytical/quantitative skills

7. Communication skills (verbal)

8. Initiative

9. Detail-oriented

10. Flexibility / adaptability

11.Technical skills

12. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)

13.Computer skills

14.Organizational ability

* From the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook Survey 2018

Employers value these skills– keep track of them and document them on your resume!22

GETTING EXPERIENCE

• Try to also gain career-related experience outside the classroom

• Find a balance with academics and other activities

• Extra-Curricular

• Part-time and summer jobs

• Volunteer

• Experiential Learning

23

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

TCSA Clubs and Groups Day

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Bata Podium

24

VOLUNTEER FAIRWEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. BATA LIBRARY, UPPER PODIUM

25

PART TIME & SUMMER EMPLOYMENT

• Trent Job Board www.trentu.ca/sep

• Summer Job Fair February

• Try everything!

• job boards

• Ask friends; classmates; student leaders; upper year

students;

• hit the pavement; go out and meet employers

26

RESOURCES & SUPPORTS

• www.trentu.ca/sep

• 1:1 appointments for career

counselling and resume

critiques

• Calendar of events

• Workshops

• Student Job Board

27

ONE DEPARTMENT– MANY CAREERS

Trent grads find work in a wide range of careers – connect with people and ask them about their careers. Come to networking events and meet Trent alumni.

• Indigenous Studies: Indigenous Awareness Trainer: OPP

• International Development Studies: Settlement Services Coordinator, New Canadians Centre

• Political Studies: Parole Officer; Ministry of Public Safety and Corrections

• Business: Forensic accountant

• Anthropology: Policy Analyst; Environment and Climate Change Canada

• Psychology: Crisis Intervention Worker Canadian Mental Health Association (and also Member of Parliament)

• Sociology: Social Worker; Central East Correctional Centre; (but also Vice President of Public Affairs Coca Cola Canada)

28

MY FIRST YEAR

29

QU

EST

ION

S

30

UP NEXT

Discover your Department 2 to 4 pm

Faculty Face Time 2:30 to 3:30 pm

Trent Student Centre

31