2017-2018 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communication and Sociology


Undergraduate

Joe Cardot, Chair
ACU Box 28156
Abilene, Texas 79699-8156
Sherrod Building - Don Morris Center, Room 128

Phone: 325-674-2136
Fax: 325-674-6966
Email: cardotj@acu.edu
Web: http://www.acu.edu/legacy/academics/communication-sociology/index.html

Faculty

Jonathan Camp, Associate Professor
Joe Cardot, Professor
Dena Counts, Instructor
Kristina Davis, Assistant Professor
Carley Dodd, Professor
Paul Lakey, Professor
Suzanne Macaluso, Associate Professor
Lauren Smith Lemley, Associate Professor
Cynthia Roper, Professor
Lynette Sharp Penya, Professor
J.D. Wallace, Professor

Communication

The Communication Program offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in communication. A minor in communication may be added to other majors.

Introduction

The Department of Communication recognizes the increasingly vital role of communication in modern society. Communication permeates all social, corporate, civic, educational and religious situations, and the demand for individuals skilled in its use continues to grow. A basic course in communication is required for most degrees at ACU.

Instructional facilities are located in the Sherrod Building of the Don Morris Center and include well-equipped classrooms, digital recording equipment, multimedia presentation equipment and access to computers. Highly-qualified Christian faculty, many known nationally and internationally, are dedicated to teaching, research and helpful interaction with their students.

The department staffs and operates the ACU Speaking Center housed in the campus library. It provides expertise in all aspects of the creation and delivery of presentations. The services are available to all students, faculty, staff, and community members who may require assistance.

The focus of communication is on information management and interaction. Students successfully completing a major in communication prepare themselves for a variety of careers where people and information come together. It also provides preparatory training for law school, public relations, human resources, sales, management, government work and many other fields that require competence in information management and human interaction. Graduates are especially prepared in such essential areas as team building, the analysis and organization of information, and critical thinking. Communication graduates are successful in careers as diverse as business, ministry, training, insurance, and social and government service.

The program also prepares students who plan to do graduate work in communication and become college communication/speech teachers.

Study Abroad Expectations

All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.

Admission Requirements

Before being admitted to the program in communication, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information  section of this catalog.

Sociology

Suzanne Macaluso, Director
ACU Box 28156
Abilene, Texas 79699-7890
Sherrod Building, Room 133

Phone: 325-674-8963
Fax: 325-674-6525
Email: suzie.macaluso@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/sociology

Faculty

Kristina Davis, Assistant Professor
Suzanne Macaluso, Associate Professor
Charlie D. Pruett, Associate Professor

The Sociology Program offers the Bachelor of Science degree in sociology. A minor in sociology may be added to other majors.

Introduction

The Sociology Program builds upon the University’s mission to educate students for Christian service and leadership by equipping students to address contemporary social issues in a variety of community settings.

The program is committed to attaining high standards in education while offering personal guidance to students regarding their life choices.

Study Abroad Expectations

All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.

Bachelor of Science Degree (BS)

Admission Requirements

Before being admitted to this program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information  section of this catalog.

Graduate

Communication

Joe Cardot and Lynette Sharp Penya, Co-Chairs

Lauren Lemley, Graduate Director
ACU Box 28156
Abilene, Texas 79699-8156
Sherrod Building - Don Morris Center, Room 132

Phone: 325-674-2136
Fax: 325-674-6966
Email: lauren.lemley@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/grad

Faculty

Jonathan Camp, Associate Professor
Joe Cardot, Professor
Kristina Davis, Assistant Professor
Carley Dodd, Professor
Paul Lakey, Professor
Lauren Lemley, Associate Professor
Cindy Roper, Professor
Lynette Sharp Penya, Professor
J.D. Wallace, Professor

Introduction

Communication is the cornerstone for success in virtually every career field. To equip students with this essential foundation, the Department of Communication and Sociology offers two degree options, a Master of Arts (MA) in communication and an MA in corporate communication, designed to prepare students for leadership roles in a variety of contexts—from non-profits to international corporations, media/public relations to churches, education, advocacy, and even doctoral work in related fields such as communication or law.

The department is committed to a diverse and integrated study of communication, preparing graduates to understand the complex nature of communication on a theoretical and practical level from local, to national, and international contexts. Topics and skills students in these programs study include crafting and analyzing persuasive messages, leading organizations through change, communicating with stakeholders during a crisis, conducting successful focus groups, working with individuals and companies from diverse cultures, organizing and leading trainings, representing an organization on social media, writing and analyzing survey data, and understanding how to construct and lead productive groups and teams.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for an MA in communication are:

  1. A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
  2. An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
  3. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
  4. Two letters of recommendation;
  5. A satisfactory GRE score;
  6. An essay describing the applicant’s purpose for pursuing a graduate degree in communication;
  7. A writing sample representing high quality work (e.g. term paper) by the applicant. 

Programs

    Master of ArtsBachelor of ArtsBachelor of ScienceMinor

    Courses

      AnthropologyCommunicationSociology