HOME | ACADEMICS | ADMISSION | SPIRITUAL LIFE | CALENDAR | LIBRARY | SPORTS | GIVING | EMPLOYMENT | WEB MAIL
     
                 
 
 Current Courses| Academic programs |Department precis |Department faculty|Archive of past courses|
Experiential education opportunities | Careers in Sociology | Careers in Psychology
   
 


 

Text Box: Department of Psychology and Sociology Chamberlain Center, Third & Fourth Floors Houghton College, Houghton, NY 14744 Telephone: (585) 567-9440 or (800) 777-2556 Departmental e-mail: richard.stegen@houghton.edu Administrative assistant: Molly Spear  

 

 

 

 

Academic programs  Adult degree completion program (PACE)  Archive of past courses
Current Courses  Department precis  Department faculty  Experiential education opportunities
Family Studies Minor  Psychology Major and Minor  Research opportunities  Sociology Major and Minor

Departmental precis

  Telephone (585) 567-9440 or (800) 777-2556

Majors: Psychology (31 hours; 4 hours in pre/co-requisites), Sociology (24 hours)

Minors: Psychology (12 hours), Sociology (12 hours), Family Studies (15 hours)

Integrated Studies courses: Social Science requirements

    Liberal Arts Foundation requirements: one course chosen from offerings in economics, political science, psychology, SOC 101 Principles of Sociology and SOC 243 Cultural Anthropology

    Liberal Arts Exploration: One course from a social science discipline other than that used to complete the Liberal Arts Foundation requirement

Psychology. The psychology faculty conduct a systematic inquiry into the nature of animal and human behavior, including cognitive and emotional processes. Our commitment is to prepare students to understand events from a perspective that integrates psychology with all truth. Our task is to appreciate the contributions of modern psychological theory and practice, and at the same time to view these critically in light of Christian faith and the inspired Biblical record. We address fundamental issues confronting psychology and faith to help students develop a holistic Christian view of the nature of persons, while recognizing that legitimate differences exist within Christian evangelical theology. Graduates often take further training to pursue such professional careers as clinical and counseling psychology, student and personnel development, school psychology, clinical social work, and human services in general. Others have taken appointments in academic departments. Even without further training, a knowledge of psychological functioning within individuals and in group settings is a valuable asset in professions such as law, business, education, therapeutic recreation, and ministry.

Sociology. Human conduct cannot be adequately understood without recognizing various social forces constantly shaping it. Sociology seeks to draw analytical links between individuals and the structural and cultural contexts in which they live. The major in sociology therefore develops analytical skills which are basic to a liberal arts education. These skills are useful to students wishing to develop an intellectual awareness of who they are as a result of studying the social system surrounding them. In particular, sociology is excellent preparation for students anticipating careers in criminology, politics, law, health services, management, social work, urban planning, and related areas.

Back to top

Department Faculty

Clicking on the name of a faculty member in this list will take you to a brief description of that person. If the faculty member has a personal web page, a course schedule, or a web page for any courses, you will be able to connect to them from the brief description.

Administrative assistant: Molly Spear

Full time

Sociology: Jonathan E. Arensen, Karen Daugherty

Psychology : Richard D. Stegen, Daryl H. Stevenson, Cynthia S. Symons, John F. Van Wicklin, Paul D. Young

Part time

Sociology:   Wendy Baxter, Anna Ireland,

Psychology: Michael D. Lastoria

Back to top

Molly Spear is the administrative assistant for the department, since August, 2000.  She graduated from Houghton in 1977 with a major in psychology, and minored in biology and physical education.  She has worked at Houghton since April of 1999.

Jonathan E. Arensen, Ph.D. (Oxford University) is Professor of Anthropology, and has been teaching at Houghton since 1998.  He founded and directs the Houghton in Tanzania program, where he taught most recently in the springof 2008.  Dr. Arensen is on sabbatical leave for the fall of 2008.

Aaron Routhe (BS, Houghton College, 1997; MS, The University of Tennessee, 2003; PhD candidate, ibid., 2005)
 has newly joined the department as Assistant Professor of Sociology.  A biology undergraduate, his interests focus on environmental sociology, in which he is teaching a special topics course in the fall of 2008.  Before returning to Houghton, he directed the South Pacific Creation Care Study Program in New Zealand – a Christian social and environmental justice study-abroad program for university students from the U.S. and Canada. He conducted graduate studies in environmental sociology at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville, and has directed environmental education and experiential outdoor recreation programs in Dallas, Texas. A 1997 environmental biology alum, Aaron is returning to teach in sociology and the environment. His interests include the social influences on public perceptions about global climate change, religion and environmental concern, social identity and ‘green’ consumption, environmental crime, development and ecology, and the social psychology of public support for water resource policy.

Syllabus for Aaron Routhe:
SOC 295A Special Topics: Social Values and Environment (Fall, '08)

Wendy Baxter, M.S. W., teaches sociology part-time.

Karen Daugherty, Ph.D. teaches sociology part-time.

Michael D. Lastoria, Ed.D. (Loyola University (Chicago)) has been the Director of Counseling Services at Houghton since 1982. A clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, he teaches Counseling and Psychotherapy for the Psychology major; and Introduction to Family Systems, for both the Psychology major and the Family Studies minor. For the fall of 2000, he taught in the United Kingdom with the Houghton in London program.  You can e-mail Dr. Lastoria at michael.lastoria@houghton.edu.

<--Richard D. Stegen, Ph.D. (St. John's University) is Professor of Psychology and a licensed clinical psychologist. A Houghton graduate, he returned to teach here in 1982. He offers courses including Psychology of Personality, History and Systems of Psychology, and Psychology of Religion, and is an active clinical practitioner as well. You can contact Dr. Stegen via e-mail at richard.stegen@houghton.edu.

 

 

 

-->Daryl H. Stevenson, Ph.D. (Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology) is Professor of Psychology and a licensed clinician. A Houghton graduate, he taught high school history before switching to psychology for doctoral work, and he joined Houghton as a faculty member in 1982. His courses include Psychology of Personality and Psychology and Christianity. His e-mail address is daryl.stevenson@houghton.edu. Dr. Stevenson is on sabbatical leave for academic year 2008-2009.

Current web pages available for Daryl Stevenson:

Archive of past courses for Daryl Stevenson:

<--Cynthia S. Symons, Ph.D. (Syracuse University) joined our department in 1994, and she is Professor of Psychology. She teaches Social Psychology, Experimental Methods, and Conflict Management, and she maintains an active research group with students. You can send her an e-mail at cynthia.symons@houghton.edu.


 

 

-->John F. Van Wicklin, Ph.D. (New School for Social Research) came to Houghton in 1983. He is Professor of Psychology, and he teaches Introduction to Psychology, Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, Lifespan Development of the Family, and Psychological Assessment. He gets e-mails at john.vanwicklin@houghton.edu.

Current Web pages available for John Van Wicklin:

Personal home page

 

 


Archive of prior course Web pages for John Van Wicklin:

<--Paul D. Young, Ph.D. (University of Alberta) is a Houghton graduate, and has been teaching here since 1980. Professor of Psychology, he teaches Statistics, Learning and Memory, and Drugs and Behavior. He also chairs the department.

Current semester schedule

Current Web pages available for Paul Young:

  • BADM/PSY/SOC309A Statistics
  • PSY 311A Special Topics: Cognitive Psychology
  • PSY 325A Human Sexuality
  • PSY 480A Senior Capstone Seminar in Psychology

 

Archive of Web pages for prior courses by Paul Young:

 

Mayterm, 2007

PSY 335A Drugs and Behavior

Spring, 2007

 

 

Back to top

Academic programs

Family Studies (Minor only)

The Family Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program, combining the fields of anthropology, sociology, psychology, and religion. Special topics in other disciplines are also offered according to interest and demand. The minor is designed to provide students with adequate knowledge and skills needed for professional careers in human services and leadership roles in the church, family and community, in addition to preparing students for further education in Family Studies and related areas. Introduction to Psychology (PSY 111) is prerequisite to the minor.

Minor: The minor consists of 15 hours of study. Six of the hours are required core courses: Introduction to Marriage and Family Studies (SOC 237) and Introduction to Family Systems (PSY 326). The remaining nine hours are chosen from the following courses: PSY 230 Lifespan Development of the Family; PSY 325 Human Sexuality; THEL 337 Theological Foundations of the Family; SOC 330 Culture, Ethnicity, and the Family; SOC 362 Gender Relations; SOC 390 Practicum in Family Studies; SOC 394 Internship in Family Studies; and SOC 297 Special Topics Courses (preapproved by the Coordinator of Family Studies).

Psychology

Major: Introduction to Psychology (PSY 111) is prerequisite to all additional coursework in the discipline. The major for a bachelor of arts (BA degree) requires 33 hours beyond the Introduction to Psychology course. Psychology majors complete 9 hours of core requirements and at least one course from each of the 5 secondary core areas listed below. Finally, at least three other elective courses are selected from the department's offerings. Statistics (PSY 309) and Experimental Methods (PSY 310) should be taken in fairly close sequence during the sophomore and junior years. Students desiring to participate in the optional Senior Fall Semester Internship in Buffalo should plan to work closely with their advisors to complete the appropriate series of courses prior to placement: Experimental Methods, Abnormal Psychology, Psychological Assessment, and Counseling and Psychotherapy. Three of the 6 Internship hours may count toward the minimum 33 hours for the major. Co-requisite with the major is 4 hours of laboratory biology. At least 3 hours of 400 level psychology coursework are required. Students with a double major may take a minimum of 27 hours of psychology coursework, meeting all the major's regular requirements and reducing electives to 3 hours.

A. Primary Core Requirements (3 courses, 9hours)

    PSY 309 Statistics .............................................................................................. 3

    PSY 310 Experimental Methods ..................................................................,,..... 3

    PSY 480 Senior Capstone Seminar ................................................................................... 3

B. Secondary Core Areas (minimum of one course from each area)

I. Developmental (1 course, 3 hours)

    PSY 214 Child Psychology, or PSY 215 Adolescent Psychology, or PSY 230 Lifespan Development of the Family
II. Social/Personality (1 course, 3 hours)
    PSY 218 Social Psychology or PSY 301 Psychology of Personality
III. Learning/Physiological (1 course, 3 or 4 hours)

    PSY 337 Social Cognition, PSY 335 Drugs and Behavior, PSY 403 Physiological Psychology, or PSY 451 Learning and Memory

IV. Clinical (1 course, 3 hours)
    PSY 305 Abnormal Psychology, PSY 315 Psychological Assessment, or PSY 402 Counseling and Psychotherapy
V. Integrative Issues (1 course, 3 hours)
    PSY 302 Psychology and Christianity, PSY 306 Psychology of Religion, or PSY 401 History and Systems of Psychology
C. Psychology electives (3 or more courses, 9 hourse. Elective courses may be chosen from any course in psychology (PSY prefix), including those listed above if they are in addition to courses taken for the secondary core.)
                                    Total hours: 33
Minor A minor in psychology consists of any 12 semester hours above PSY 111, excluding Statistics (PSY 309).

Sociology

Major A sociology major consists of 24 hours above SOC 101, including the following courses: Sociological Theory (SOC 282); Statistics (SOC 309); Social Science Research Methods (SOC 312); and Senior Capstone: Sociology Seminar (SOC 480); plus 12 hours of elective sociology courses.

Minor A minor in sociology consists of 12 hours above SOC 101, including at least three hours numbered 300 or above (except SOC 309 Statistics).

Back to top

Current Courses

This area contains a listing of courses in the department which have a web page for the current semester, and will have a separate list of all courses offered in the department. Access to course web pages may be restricted to enrolled students.

Current courses in the department with web pages:

Fall, 2008

BADM/PSY/SOC309A Statistics (Young, Fall, 2008)
SOC 295A Special Topics: Social Values and Environment (Routhe, Fall, '08)

Archive of past courses:

Mayterm, 2008

Fall, 2007

Mayterm, 2007

PSY 335A Drugs and Behavior

 

Spring, 2007

 

Fall, 2006:

Mayterm, 2006:

PSY 335A Drugs and Behavior (Young, Mayterm, 2006)

Spring, 2006

Fall, 2005

Mayterm, 2005

Spring, 2005

Fall, 2004

Mayterm, 2004

Spring, 2004

Fall, 2003:

Mayterm, 2002:

Spring, 2003

Fall, 2002

Mayterm, 2002

Spring, 2002

Fall, 2001

Spring, 2001

Fall Semester, 2000:

PSY 111B Introduction to Psychology (Van Wicklin, Fall, 2000)
PSY 214A Child Psychology (Van Wicklin, Fall, 2000)
PSY 214B Child Psychology (Van Wicklin, Fall, 2000)
PSY 215A Adolescent Psychology (Van Wicklin, Fall, 2000)
PSY 305A Abnormal Psychology (Young, Fall, 2000)
PSY 335A Drugs and Behavior (Young, Fall, 2000)
PSY 403A Physiological Psychology (Young, Fall, 2000)

Spring semester, 2000

PSY 111AR Introduction to Psychology (Young, Spring, 2000)
PSY 111BR Introduction to Psychology (Young, Spring, 2000)
PSY 214A&B Child Psychology (Van Wicklin, Spring, 2000)
PSY 230A Lifespan Family Development (Van Wicklin, Spring, 2000)
PSY 305A Abnormal Psychology (Young, Spring, 2000)
PSY 315A Psychological Assessment (Van Wicklin, Spring, 2000)
PSY 325A Human Sexuality (Young, Spring, 2000)
PSY 451A Learning and Memory (Young, Spring, 2000)

Fall semester, 1999

PSY 214A&B Child Psychology (Van Wicklin, Fall, 1999)
PSY 215A Adolescent Psychology (Van Wicklin, Fall, 1999)

Mayterm, 1999

PSY 335A Drugs and Behavior (Young, Mayterm, 1999)

Spring semester, 1999

PSY111AR Introduction to Psychology (Young, Spring, 1999)
PSY 111BR Introduction to Psychology (Stevenson, Spring, 1999)
PSY 214A Child Psychology (Van Wicklin, Spring, 1999)
PSY 230A Lifespan Family Development (Van Wicklin, Spring, 1999)
PSY 301A Psychology of Personality (Stevenson, Spring, 1999)
SY 302A Psychology and Christianity (Stevenson, Spring, 1999)
PSY 305A Abnormal Psychology (Young, Spring, 1999)
PSY-, SOC-, BADM-, POLS- 309A & B Statistics (Symons, Spring, 1999)
PSY 315A Psychological Assessment (Van Wicklin,Spring, 1999)
PSY 325A Human Sexuality (Spring, 1999)
PSY451A Learning and Memory (Young, Spring, 1999)

Fall semester, 1998
PSY 111A Introduction to Psychology (Stegen, Fall, 1998)
PSY 111D Introduction to Psychology (Young, Fall, 1998)
PSY 214A&B Child Psychology (Van Wicklin, Fall, 1998)
PSY 215A Adolescent Psychology (Van Wicklin, Fall, 1998)
PSY305A Abnormal Psychology (Young, Fall, 1998)
PSY 309B Statistics (Young, Fall, 1998)
PSY 335A Drugs and Behavior (Young, Fall, 1998)
SOC 101 BR and CR Principles of Sociology (Maugans, Fall, 1998)
SOC 237A Introduction to Marriage and Family Studies (Maugans, Fall, 1998)
SOC 362A Gender Relations (Maugans, Fall, 1998)

    Mayterm, 1998
PSY335A Drugs and Behavior (Young) (Mayterm, 1998)

Spring semester, 1998
PSY111AR Introduction to Psychology (Young) (Spring, 1998)
PSY 230A Lifespan Family Development (Van Wicklin) (Spring, 1998)
PSY 305A Abnormal Psychology (Young) (Spring, 1998)
Psy315A Psychological Assessment (Van Wicklin) (Spring, 1998)
PSY 325A Human Sexuality (Young) (Spring, 1998)
PSY 451A Learning and Memory (Young ) (Spring, 1998))

Fall semester, 1997
PSY 111CR Introduction to Psychology (Stevenson)(Fall, 1997)
PSY 309 Statistics (Young)(Fall, 1997)
PSY 335A Drugs and Behavior (Young)(Fall, 1997)
PSY 403A Physiological Psychology (Young)(Fall, 1997)
SOC 101CR & DR Principles of Sociology (Maugans) (Fall, 1997)

Back to top

Experiential education opportunities

SOC 390 Practicum in Family Studies (3, OD) Supervised experience in a family services setting (through the Buffalo or Main Campus) integrating theory with professional practice. Re-quires junior or senior standing and the completion of at least 12 hours in the Family Studies minor and permission of the department. Contact: Dr. Stegen.

SOC 394 Internship in Family Studies (WSC) (6,F) An optional supervised experience in a family studies setting integrating theory with professional practice. By application only through the department. Contact: Dr. Stegen

SOC 410 Practicum in Sociology (1, 2,3,F&S) Supervised experience in a sociological setting (through the West Seneca or Main Campus) integrating theory with professional practice. Re-quires permission of the department. Contact: Dr. Stegen

SOC 415 Internship in Sociology (WSC) (6,F) An optional supervised experience in a sociological setting integrating theory with professional practice. By application only through the department. Contact: Dr. Stegen

PSY 410 Practicum in Psychology (1, 2, 3, F&S) Introduction to professional work in psychology through field experiences near the main campus in such settings as school psychology, personnel, continuing treatment programs, alcohol and drug abuse treatment centers, and developmental disability centers. Prerequisite: permission of the department. Contact: Dr. Stegen

PSY 415 Internship in Psychology (West Seneca Campus only) (6, F) An optional supervised experience in a psychological setting integrating theory with professional practice. By application only through the department. Contact: Dr. Stegen

Back to top

Research opportunities

Research settings and supervision available to students, and samples of research by students and faculty in the department.

The department maintains a psychology laboratory, connected to an adjacent classrom with a mirrored observation window, and equipped with six individual research rooms. We maintain equipment for computerized research, along with apparatus for the study of human and animal learning and physiological responses.

Dr. Symons leads an active research group of student colleagues, whose work has lead to presentations at regional and national professional conferences. Participation is by invitation of Dr. Symons. Dr. Symons also has directed successful senior honors research in each of the past six years-- a singular accomplishment at Houghton.

Dr. Young directs student research in learning in conjunction with the course, PSY 451 Learning and Memory, and has an active research program in college student moral development and thinking strategies.  Both Dr. Young and Dr. Symons are looking for studnets to collaborate in their research..

All departmental faculty are prepared to direct student research through either independent studies or, for qualified students, senior honors projects.

Back to top

Adult degree completion program (PACE)

Most of the faculty in the department also teach in Houghton's adult degree completion program, PACE (Program for Accelerating College Education). Psychology and Sociology courses in PACE include Adult Development, Group Organization and Behavior, Quantitative Decision Making, and Challenges of the Pluralistic Workplace.

Back to top

This page and all photographs copyright 1997- 2008 by Paul D. Young, to whom questions about this website should be sent.

First posted March, 1997. Last updated 15 May, 2008.