Seminar provides an overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods in the social sciences. Topics covered include: hypothesis formulation and theory construction; data collection techniques (experimental, survey, and observational); ethical issues in research; and how to prepare a research proposal. Goal is to provide students with the methodological skills to evaluate existing studies and to select appropriate methods for use in their own research.

This course should prepare students to conduct a successful job search once they have graduated from the ESP program. Internships provide relevant real-world experiences and allow students to interact in a professional environment and gain experience networking. We will also discuss student's strengths, weaknesses, and skill sets while cultivating their ability to interview and relate their internship experience to the ESP curriculum. Students will complete a practice interview session and submit an updated cover letter and resume for review. Finally, upon completion of the online journal, they should have a robust writing sample, multiple internship related artifacts, and a updated resume they can use during their job search.

Students will be able to:
-Prepare themselves physically and mentally for a job interview
-Identify characteristics of an effective interview strategy, including positive and negative responses to questions
-Execute appropriate follow-up after an interview

This lesson emphasizes the importance of properly answering job interview questions and better prepares the students for mock interviews.

This course develops skills in research design for policy analysis and planning. The emphasis is on the logic of the research process and its constituent elements. The course relies on a seminar format so students are expected to read all of the assigned materials and come to class prepared to discuss key themes, ideas, and controversies. Since the materials draw broadly on the social sciences, and since students have diverse interests and methodological preferences, ongoing themes in our discussions will be linking concepts to planning scholarship in general and considering how different epistemological orientations and methodological techniques map on to planning specializations.

In the job search process, once you’ve applied for a job and perhaps sent a cover letter and resume, the next step is the interview. Employers generally want to speak face-to-face (or virtually) with potential employees to see if they are a fit for the position employers are hoping to fill. In this lesson, you will prepare and participate in a mock interview to prepare yourself for the real thing.

This resource is a unit that integrates the ELA skills of vignette writing, formal interviewing skills, presentation skills, and technology. Instructional slides are includes as well as other resources to support this unit.