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Related Programs

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice sponsors several programs and events to encourage social justice awareness and sociological skills among students and the community.

Farmers Market Manager Internship

Starting in the Spring 2012 semester, the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice developed a Farmers Market Manager Internship. This internship is an exciting opportunity for a talented Sociology major to manage a real farmers market! The internship evolved out of the great success of our university's first farmers market on Oct. 24, 2011, National Food Day. It was hosted by 'Reconnect', our environmental sustainability student organization, with assistance from several graduate students in the Applied Environmental Sociology course.

As the market manager intern the student applies their sociological skills in coordinating and helping to host, along with Reconnect, the two farmers markets that occur each semester. The student intern works with multiple stakeholders in producing a successful market and gains invaluable experience. Some of the required duties of the intern include:

  • Maintaining continuous contact and coordination with the farmer vendors and with school officials to set up the market and make sure that all required University policies are met. 
  • Work with the students in Reconnect to fulfill their needs and produce a successful market. 
  • Work closely with our independent market consultant, Darlene Wolnik. 
  • Marketing and promotion of the market. 
  • Maintain and enhance plans for the market day events. 
  • Planning and implementation of market research or evaluation. 
  • Work with all market participants to build the educational component of the market which aims to help create a local, fair and sustainable food economy through educating our campus and the larger community about the social, economic and ecological benefits of such a system to all. 
  • Act as the "public face" of the market representing yourself, the department, Reconnect, the university and the values of the farmers market and a sustainable regional food system in a positive manner. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for any Sociology major looking for experience in applied environmental sociology and food systems. The internship is a three hour credit course (SOC 400) for a full semester's work of 90 hours in the Spring or Fall and requires sophomore standing or higher and at least a 3.0 GPA. Any qualified student who is interested in this internship opportunity can contact Dr. David Burley for more information on the internship.

Social Justice Lecture Series

In 2004, the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice organized the annual Social Justice Lecture Series as a means of bringing nationally- and internationally-recognized social justice activists to the Southeastern community.

Social justice means a recognition of human dignity and human rights, and that all people should be afforded the ability to access the necessities of life and be guaranteed the opportunity to pursue their aspirations. Social justice activists devote their work to raising awareness of critical issues facing our society.

The Social Justice Speaker Series has been supported by a variety of organizations at Southeastern, including the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS), the Lyceum Arts and Lectures Committee (AL), the Student Government Association (SGA), the Southeastern Sociological Association (SSA), and Reconnect Student Sustainability Organization.