Making sense of and creatively

engaging the world around us

Discovering and interpreting the patterns of human social and cultural life, in all their historic and present diversity, is the common mission of the related disciplines of sociology and anthropology. These areas of study aim to understand how the world’s societies work and why people act, think and believe as they do, not only within our own social setting, but also within the variety of human cultures since the beginning of time and around the world.  We offer a major in sociology, with a rich diversity of anthropology courses that can be selected as electives within the major.  We also offer a minor in Sociology/Anthropology with courses evenly distributed between these two areas of study.

At Goshen College, we know this goal of human social-cultural exploration is approached in different ways. Some prefer first-hand knowledge of specific people and their customs – emphasizing human initiative and creativity. Others favor ways of knowing that places human action within its larger biological, historical, political or socio-economic context – an approach that draws attention to the many ways human life-in-society is shaped and constrained by institutional structures and forces.

With its Anabaptist-Mennonite standpoint, GC’s sociology students and faculty favor an alternative approach recognizing that we – as individuals and collectives – are at one and the same time both creatures and creators of the cultures and societies we inhabit. This “third way” is an approach that recognizes both the impact that society and culture have in our experience, and at the same time the responsibility and the opportunities we have to challenge and engage these structures and powers. Join us in the sociology-anthropology program at GC as we seek to discover how best to work with others to transform communities both close to home and far away.

Tailor the Sociology major to your needs and interests

Sociology and courses in related disciplines such as anthropology, economics, history, political science or psychology will make up about one-third of the credit hours required for your bachelor’s degree. Another third will be devoted to courses you select from the different disciplines in GC’s general studies program, providing a solid liberal arts foundation for your Sociology major.

Additionally, many Sociology majors, to prepare for job or service opportunities, or because they are interested in other areas of study, work in a second major or minor, such as business, foreign language, history, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or intercultural, peace, women’s or world-area studies.

Positions held by GC Sociology graduates

After GC, alumni work successfully in many different careers: as sociologists, anthropologists and counselors, or in church-related ministries, business, personnel work, technical vocations, or volunteer service. Two-thirds of GC’s Sociology grads have obtained master’s or doctoral degrees in such professions as:

• church agency administrator
• college professor
• community development worker
• counselor
• overseas volunteer, missionary
• family life educator
• government service administrator
• high school teacher
• international development consultant
• lawyer
• minister
• patient advocate
• public policy analyst
• social worker
• urban planner

To learn more about internship opportunities at Goshen College, click here.