Studying Sociology at Houghton

Key Strengths of Sociology at Houghton

  • Christian Perspective. We aim to critically and closely examine the conventional social world and inquire together how we can best serve God.
  • Balanced Approach.  Core courses are supplemented by electives in sociology and anthropology.
  • Liberal Arts Preparation. We offer a rigorous program of study that demands our students to perform at their highest levels.
  • Faculty. Professors are interested in the total development of students.
  • Graduate Preparation. Our program provides a solid foundation from which to pursue graduate work and we excel in producing Ph.D. sociologists.

Sociology at Houghton

The mission of the Sociology Program at Houghton is to equip people with the tools and knowledge needed for more effectively addressing the challenges facing the communities they belong to and working to transform them.

Whether it is advocating for the urban poor, lobbying for more just public policy, working abroad for sustainable community development, serving the needs of families, or researching the human dimensions of environmental issues, studying sociology is a strategy for making your future vocation and personal life more successful and meaningful.

The Sociology Program at Houghton offers coursework in the following areas:

  • Anthropology
  • Environmental and development issues
  • Marriage and family studies
  • And other core topics in sociology

Future Preparation

Sociology provides an excellent background and preparation for careers in community and international development, environmental and natural resource conservation, social work and health services, politics and law, business and human resource management, recreation and tourism, urban planning, and other related areas.

Our sociology majors have gone on to study at a variety of graduate schools including Princeton, University of Illinois, Notre Dame, University of Tennessee, and SUNY at Buffalo. In fact, although we are a comparatively small program, we excel in producing Ph.D. sociologists. Regardless of one’s eventual occupational and lifestyle choices, sociology provides an excellent preparation for students who wish to have a greater understanding of themselves and of others.

Program faculty

Faculty teaching in the program include two sociologists and one anthropologist, and others with experience and background in social work and counseling. They sustain active scholarly lives while maintaining a strong commitment to explore with students in their daily lives what it means to pursue justice in Allegany County, the Rust-Belt cities of Buffalo and Rochester, United States and Canadian society, and abroad in a globalized world.
Sociology provides a deeper and scientific understanding of the social and cultural influences on human action.

Program requirements

The Sociology Major offers two directions to students for choosing the focus of their education:

  1. You may complement it with a second major in Biology (Environmental Studies), Business, Communication, Education, Intercultural Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Recreation, or another field.
  2. Or you may more deeply explore environment, development, marriage and family-related issues, or the sociology discipline through additional coursework.

The core emphasis of the major is on building a sound appreciation of theoretical issues and the practical skills necessary for engaging them, and in linking this understanding to how we live our lives. This approach is reflected in the introductory course, Principles of Sociology, and four core courses required for the major: Sociological Theory, Statistics, Social Science Research Methods, and the Senior Capstone Seminar.

Sociology majors complete the program by selecting at least four elective courses in anthropology, environmental and development issues, marriage and family studies, or other topics in sociology. Graduates obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology or may supplement their existing program of study with a minor in Sociology.

Opportunities outside of the classroom

In a Christian perspective, sociology alerts us to the influences of social forces that we can call “worldly.” Sociology offers an analytical framework that can enable us to be “in but not of the world.” Our faculty is convinced that those who know the least about the social world are those most likely to be influenced and dominated by it. It is imperative that we as Christians critically and closely examine the conventional social world and inquire together how we can best serve God in this context. 

Sociology professors at Houghton are interested in the holistic development of our students. We encourage participation in campus activities that allow one to put into action the understanding gained from classes.

Campus organizations offering an opportunity for involvement include Allegany County Outreach (similar to Big Brother/Big Sister programs); College Republicans, Evangelicals for Social Action, Global Christian Fellowship, Habitat for Humanity; Houghton Environmental Club; Intercultural Student Association; Salvation Army; Student Government; Young Life; and World Missions Fellowship (which offers mission trips), among others.

Community-based organizations include Hope Refugee Services (Buffalo), Houghton Community Garden, Journey’s End (weekly tutoring of refugees in Buffalo), and Wellspring Ministries (Allegany County).

In addition to main-campus opportunities for experience and service, Houghton College has many other resources for student development.

Houghton participates in a variety off-campus opportunities where students can live in a very different setting and culture, while studying with Houghton professors who take a Christian worldview in locations such as London, Tanzania, suburban Buffalo, and many others. With our proximity to Buffalo and Rochester, students benefit from exposure to ethnic and cultural diversity.

Students work in practicum settings, take field trips to visit churches of various denominations and faiths, and visit planned communities during their time as Houghton students.

Moreover, the college is a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), which offers several cross-cultural programs available to Houghton students such as the American Studies Program, Los Angeles Film Studies Center, and Russian Studies Program. All of these opportunities are used to expand the vision of students beyond their own borders and teach them to become scholar servants in a changing world.