2018-2019 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communication and Sociology


Undergraduate

Lynette Sharp Penya, Chair
ACU Box 28156
Abilene, Texas 79699-8156
Sherrod Building - Don Morris Center, Room 128

Phone: 325-674-2136
Fax: 325-674-6966
Email: penyal@acu.edu
Web: http://www.acu.edu/undergraduate/academics/communication.html

Faculty

Jonathan Camp, Associate Professor
Joe Cardot, Professor
Dena Counts, Instructor
Lauren Lemley, Associate Professor
Suzanne Macaluso, Associate Professor
Sheila Ritchie, Instructor and Director of Forensics
Cynthia Roper, Professor
Lynette Sharp Penya, Professor
Nick Tatum, Instructor
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

Communication plays a vital role in modern society, permeating all social, corporate, civic, educational, and religious situations. The ability to communicate well in oral and written formats is one of the top skills employers seek.

The focus of our discipline is on designing, communicating, and mediating messages among diverse groups in organizations and society. Graduates are especially prepared in such essential areas as team building, leadership, advocacy, and critical thinking. Students successfully completing a major in communication prepare themselves for a variety of careers, including public relations, human resources, sales, consulting, training, marketing, management, teaching, executive leadership, and many other fields. Communication graduates are emplyed in industries as diverse as business, ministry, training, government, higher education, and non-profit organizations.

The program also prepares students who plan to attend law school or complete a graduate degree in communication.

The department staffs and operates the ACU Speaking Center housed in the campus library. The Center 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 department is also home to Abilene Christian University’s speech and debate team, which enjoys a long and rich tradition of excellence. The team is open to all majors, and competitive scholarships are available.

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: http://www.acu.edu/undergraduate/academics/sociology.html

Faculty

Suzanne Macaluso, Associate Professor

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

Introduction

Sociology is the scientific study of life. It is the exploration of social change and a lens into the complexity of the causes and consequences of human behavior. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender, and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture; and from the sociology of work to the sociology of sports. In fact, few fields have such a broad scope and relevance for research, theory, and application.

Students who major in sociology learn to conduct research, analyze and interpret data, understand diverse cultures, critically examine the interaction of groups and societies, and write and speak skillfully. An undergraduate major in sociology provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in a wide range of fields including law, business, social work, medicine, public health, public administration and, of course, sociology. Sociology graduates find employment in a variety of careers, including social and public services, program support management, education, marketing, sales, and social science research.

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

Lynette Sharp Penya, Chair

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
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 a Master of Arts (MA) in communication. This degree prepares students for leadership roles in a variety of contexts, including non-profit organizations, business, international corporations, media/public relations, churches, education, advocacy, and law or doctoral studies.

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